Value of Developing Career Portfolios
[Part 2 of 7 of
Career Portfolios:
Proof of Performance]
Both the recruiters and career professionals in the Quintessential Careers
study found great value in the process for job-seekers in developing
portfolios by job-seekers -- if for no other reason than the added confidence
gained from simply preparing the portfolio.
"We are encouraging everyone from computer professionals to office
administrative staff, secretaries, customer service professionals, etc., to
look at the benefits of using a portfolio," states an instructor and coordinator
at a community college. "Although a resume tells about their experience, a
portfolio really gives an employer a much better understanding of their
capabilities and skills. Portfolios make the candidate more credible to the
employer and improves the candidate's confidence level."
"And I think it is not just self-confidence that the process creates," states a
university career counselor, "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."
Adds another participant: "After putting a thoughtful portfolio together,
candidates are more realistically confident in their abilities. The candidate
with a portfolio comes across better in interview settings. And these
candidates come away with jobs."
"Portfolios are a definite confidence booster," states another participant. "Creating
a portfolio almost 'forces' people to self-assess and write down their major
accomplishments and achievements."
"A portfolio provides an enhancement for the candidate before, during, or after
the interview. An employer can cut to the chase more quickly by viewing a
portfolio, or portion thereof, before, during, or after the interview. The employer
can also use the portfolio to screen candidates for the interview," states one
of the recruiters.
The only "downside" to creating a career portfolio? The time it takes to develop
and produce a high-quality product. "If you're going to have one, make sure it's
impressive," stated the assistant director of the office providing career
assistance to alumni of a large state university.
For further information:
Your Job
Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace
Expanding the
Definition and Use of Career Portfolios
Navigation:
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.
