Job-seekers learn more about themselves and their qualifications by preparing
a career portfolio, thus boosting their confidence and preparing them for job
interviews -- regardless of whether they actually use the portfolio in the interview --
according to a recent study titled Career Portfolios: Proof of Performance, and
conducted by Quintessential Careers, one of the Web's oldest and most comprehensive
career development sites.
“And, I think it is not just self-confidence that the process creates, it is also self-knowledge
of what skills and strengths they have which can help them make a better choice of
what jobs to apply for, and then to analyze the match between those jobs and their
qualities,” stated one participant, a university career counselor. Further, a portfolio
“is a useful tool for preparing for the interview, even if the applicant does not have the
opportunity to present it to the employer,” stated another university career professional.
In a time when many employers are skeptical of the claims many job-seekers make
on their resumes concerning their experiences and contributions -- lying and misleading
information on a job-seeker's resume ranked as one of the top recruiter pet peeves in a
survey conducted by resumedoctor.com -- a career portfolio can be just the tool to
use to show rather than tell.
What is a career portfolio? It's a job-hunting tool that job-seekers develop to give
employers a complete picture of who they are -- experience, education, accomplishments,
skill sets -- and potential contribution to the employer's organization -- much more than
just a cover letter and resume can provide. Job-seekers can use a career portfolio in job
interviews to showcase a point, to illustrate the depth of skills and experience, or to use
as a tool to obtain a second interview.
Other highlights of the research findings include:
The study, which used a virtual focus-group approach, covered a number of issues
related to career portfolios and emerging trends in managing an online presence, and
included separate focus groups with recruiters and career professionals.
Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search
terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.
Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., creative director and associate
publisher of Quintessential Careers, is an educator, author,
and blogger who provides content for Quintessential Careers,
edits QuintZine,
an electronic newsletter for jobseekers, and blogs about storytelling
in the job search at A Storied
Career. Katharine, who earned her PhD in organizational behavior
from Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH, is author of Dynamic
Cover Letters for New Graduates and A Foot in the Door: Networking
Your Way into the Hidden Job Market (both published by Ten Speed Press),
as well as Top Notch Executive Resumes (Career Press); and with
Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., Dynamic Cover Letters, Write Your
Way to a Higher GPA (Ten Speed), and The Complete Idiot's Guide
to Study Skills (Alpha). Visit her
personal Website
or reach her by e-mail at
kathy(at)quintcareers.com.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers,
one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press,
including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter,
QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often
quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is
also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his
personal Website or
reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.
Don't forget to check out all our
Career Portfolio Tools and Resources for Job-Seekers.
