A career portfolio can give you an edge in the marketplace by showcasing your accomplishments, skills, and competencies. By showing examples and proof of your skills, a well-constructed portfolio can help you advance in your career.

Photographers do it...

Photography professionals have long used portfolios to showcase the quality and variety of their work. As a job applicant or career professional, you can use your portfolio in much the same way.

...You can do it too.

Start building your portfolio by identifying your unique or interesting accomplishments. During this process make an assessment of your interests, skills, values, and goals. Assemble your portfolio by printing computer copies of your work on quality paper.

Contents

Use the following as a guide when assembling your portfolio.

• Cover Letter: When job hunting, include a letter in the front of your portfolio that states your purpose, indicates the enclosed documents, and requests an opportunity for an interview.
• Cover Page: Your cover page should include your name, contact information, and the name of your school--if you're still a student.
• Contents Page: Here is where you will list the contents of your portfolio. Make sure that page numbers and titles of items are correct.

Categories

Use these basic categories to generate ideas of what to include in your portfolio.

FOUNDATION SKILLS: These might include achievements in reading, writing, mathematics, speaking, and/or listening.

THINKING SKILLS: These include critical thinking, creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, and/or reasoning.

PERSONAL QUALITIES: These traits may include responsibility, self-esteem, dependability, social ability, integrity, and/or self-management.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: This category includes achievements in management of time, money, space and facilities, and human resources.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: These skills include acquiring, organizing, maintaining, and evaluating information, and using computers to process this information.

SYSTEMS: These skills include understanding, improving, and maintaining various business systems. TECHNOLOGY: Highlight these analytical skills by including documentation that reflects how you select, apply, and/or maintain current technology.

Page Ideas

You might want to include in your portfolio some of the pages that follow. Remember, however, that your portfolio should be unique, it should accent your individuality, and it should highlight your skills and abilities.

• List of Significant Life Experiences
• Analysis of Accomplishments
• Inventory of Interests, Aptitudes, and Values
• Inventory of Skills and Competencies
• Inventory of Personal Qualities
• Pertinent Documents
• Work Philosophy and Goals
• Resume
• Credentials, Certificates, and Workshops
• Samples of Work
• Letters of Reference
• Awards and Honors

Portfolio Assembly

You can use a three-ring binder with sheet protectors and tabs to organize your information or you can purchase a portfolio at an art store. Use materials that best display your information and fit within your budget.