Key Elements that Should be Included in Portfolios
[Part 5 of 7 of
Career Portfolios:
Proof of Performance]
Career portfolios should be filled with artifacts and information that
clearly show the job-seeker's accomplishments and tell a story of why
the job-seeker is the ideal candidate for the position s/he is seeking.
"I want to see items or artifacts that represent that individual and tell a
story of accomplishments that relate to the job in question," states a respondent.
"The portfolio is an opportunity for the candidate to offer 'proof' of what
is on the resume," states one respondent. "Emphasis should be on skills,
abilities, accomplishments. The portfolio can be an opportunity for a 'show
and tell' experience elaborating on the work history. Special skills could
be highlighted."
"Keep it professional, just like the resume," notes another respondent.
"A narrative and index are nice touches to highlight the areas that are truly
relevant to the employer," states the community-college coordinator-instructor.
From the collective wisdom of all the participants, here's a list of potential
items that a job-seeker could include in a career portfolio:
- Index
- Resumes (traditional and text version)
- Career goals/objectives/summary
- Professional philosophy/mission statement
- List of accomplishments
- Success stories/narratives
- Project summary report
- Samples of work and reports
- Performance reviews
- Leadership experience
- Transcripts, degrees, licenses, and certifications
- Awards and honors
- Volunteering/community service
- Professional-development activities
- Professional memberships
- Letters of recommendation, commendation, kudos
- Reference list
- Answers to common job interview questions
- Research job-seekers have conducted on the company
"Stuff to keep out is anything personal. This includes any references
to family, friends, pets, parties, health, marital status," states one
respondent. "And no religious, political, or social interests," states another.
No hobbies either. "These are professional portfolios. The personal
aspects of hobbies or other items that pertain to the professional
career can be addressed in other ways," notes a respondent.
"Photographs should be left out of one's portfolio for the same reason
that one does not include it in a resume unless the photograph conveys
a clear and specific message," states the director of career placement
services at a community college.
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.
