Career Development and Employment Centre
How do I Build a Portfolio?
What Goes Into a Portfolio?
In tabbed sections, a portfolio typically includes the following:
1. Statement of Originality
- Claims your work as original and requests confidentiality from employers
Example:
"This portfolio is the work of ________. Please do not copy without permission. Some of the exhibits, work samples, and/or service samples are the property of the organization whose name appears on the document. Each has granted permission for this product to be used as a demonstration of my work"
2. Work Philosophy
- Outlines your beliefs about the future of the industry and your own personal mission statement
- Communicate who you are and why are you different
- No more than 4 sentences or points in length
Example for a community service portfolio:
- Every person has intrinsic value, skills and potential
- Continuous learning as an employee and as a person means continuous improvement
- Reaching as many clients in need as possible while delivering high quality service is an important goal
- Working in a team always produces more lucrative results
3. Career Goals for the next 2 to 5 years
- Create 3-5 career-focused, professional goals
- Avoid broad statements such as, "To expand my technical knowledge" Use more specific statements such as "To develop my database skills by attending an MS Access class"
Example of Two-Year Goals in a business role:
- To hold a leadership role in my department
- To broaden my network of business contacts by becoming active in at least one professional association
- To implement at least 3 solutions per year that will help reduce the cost of production and/or increase sales in my department
4. Resume
- Submit a copy of your tailored resume for the position you are being interviewed for
5. Skill Sections
- Create relevant skill sections according to your field of work. For example, a business portfolio may include sections called Marketing, Training, Technology, Communications, Management, etc.
- In the tabbed skill sections include relevant samples of your work such as projects, reports, documents, etc. Work samples prove to an employer that you have the skills you claim on your resume
6. Certifications, Diplomas, Degrees, and/or Awards
- Copies of your documents should be included here, not originals
- Be sure to include all certificates you've received for seminars you've gone to and programs/brochures of professional development events attended
7. Community Service
- Include samples of your work as well as letters of recognition, etc. from your community involvement
8. Professional Membership and Certifications
- Include any document that confirms your involvement in a professional organization. For example, include all certificates you've received for seminars you've gone to and programs/brochures of professional development events attended
9. Faculty and Employer Biographies
- Write brief descriptions of the people whose names appear throughout your portfolio. Who they are and what they do
10. References
- Put together a list of people who can verify your character, academic record and/or employment history. The list must include contact information. You can combine this list with your Faculty and Employer Biographies
What will I Need to Build my Portfolio?
- A zippered, 3-ring binder (cloth, leather or vinyl)
- Sheet protectors
- Extra-wide 3-ring tabs with labels
- High quality paper
- Business cards (either 'homemade' or professional)
- Photo sheet holders
- Zippered pouch for videos and/or diskettes (optional)
- ORGANIZE AND GATHER ALL OF YOUR DOCUMENTS!
Bookmark with:
