Portfolio Guide

How to Make a Career Portfolio

Learning Objectives

Learn why job seekers should use a career portfolio

Understand what should be included in a career portfolio

Learn how to use your career portfolio

Why Use a Career Portfolio

Give employers

information that could

not be included in your

resume and cover letter

Illustrate

accomplishments for

employers

Give Employers More Information

Resumes only give employers a snap shot

view of an applicants skills and education

Good cover letters are short and to the

point - describes why an applicant is

applying for a position

A career portfolio can be used to fill in

the gaps lost in a resume and cover letter

Give Employers More Information

Career Portfolios can show an applicants

organizational skills and attention to detail

Career portfolios help employers

remember topics discussed during an

interview

Illustrate an Accomplishment

Verifies a point made during an interview

Helps the visually minded interviewer

grasp a concept

Describes a common attribute

Can be used to identify past work

experience and current qualifications

Give Employers More Information

Example:

Question Do you work well with other

people?

Response Answer the employers

question and refer to a former customer

service award or performance evaluation

What Should Be Included?

What Can Be Included

Table of Contents

Career Summary and Goals

Traditional Resume

Samples of Work

Awards and Honors

Transcripts and/or Degrees

Letters of Reference

Table of Contents

A table of contents should be used to

help employers locate important

documents

Tabs or dividers should be included to

separate different types of information

Remember -Your career portfolio shows

an employer attention to detail and

organizational skills

Career Summary and Goals

Description of

what you stand for

(i.e. work ethic,

values, preferred

management style)

Where you see

yourself in three to

five years (long-

term goals)

Resume

Be sure to include

your resume

Functional,

chronological, or

combination format

Should summarize

accomplishments,

work experience, and

education

Samples of Work

Writing Samples

Graphs and Charts

Sample Budgets

Brochures and Marketing Materials

Awards and Honors

Work Related Awards and

Accomplishments (i.e. employee of the

month)

Honors or Professional Certificates

Performance Reviews

Transcripts/Degrees

College Transcripts

Certificates of Completion

Professional Licensure (i.e. GCDF)

Diplomas/Certificates of Completion

Letters of Reference

Letters should be written by professional colleagues and/or former supervisors

Obtain letters that address different types of skills and abilities

Include a reference page with at least three names, addresses, and phone numbers

How to Use Your Portfolio

Be sure you can locate different pieces of

information easily

Be sure to update your portfolio

Be sure to include information that is

relevant to the position applied for

Think about using an electronic portfolio

(i.e. if a position emphasizes computer

knowledge)

Dont Forget

Your portfolio is a

reflection of your

organizational skills

and attention to

detail

Your portfolio will

help leave a lasting

impression with an

employer