Betty writes:
I’ve heard and read some things about developing career portfolios, but why should a job-seeker have one? And, do you have examples of portfolios as well? I have found your site very informative!
The Career Doctor responds:
I think all job-seekers should take the time to develop career portfolios for a variety of reasons, but before I get to those reasons, let me give a quick overview of what career portfolios are all about.
A career portfolio (sometimes referred to as a job-skills portfolio) is a tool that a job-seeker develops to give prospective employers a complete picture of who you are, including samples of your work — your experience, your education, your accomplishments, your skill sets — and what you have the potential to become — much more than just a cover letter and resume can provide.
A career portfolio has these benefits to job-seekers:
First, by compiling a portfolio, a job-seeker is forced to conduct a comprehensive audit of work experience and accomplishments, education and training, skill sets, and honors and achievements. By conducting this audit, I have found that many job-seekers discover things they have done that he or she had overlooked in the past.
Second, developing a portfolio forces the job-seeker to become organized. Once the portfolio is complete, the job-seeker will know how to quickly find all vital job-search materials and work samples.
Third, a well-organized and detailed portfolio makes a strong statement about who you are as a prospective employee and shows exactly the type of work you have accomplished in past jobs. Employers are always impressed by quality portfolios.
Read more in my article, Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace, published on Quintessential Careers.
Also, you can see an example of an online portfolio by viewing my portfolio: Dr. Randall Hansen’s Career Portfolio.
