Anonymous writes:
I believe the career portfolio is an important job search tool; however, many of my co-workers are not convinced. I want to know some statistics that will reveal that many employers are actually interested in interview candidates who come to the interview with a career portfolio. I am a business technology teacher at the secondary level, and I teach my students job readiness skills. We will be creating career portfolios in all of the classes I teach this fall. I would like the other teachers to do this as well. I am the business department chair, and I want to provide some information that explains how powerful a tool the career portfolio really is.
I have visited lots of sites but I do not see info that tells me which businesses in particular are using or want their applicants to come with a career portfolio. Can you help me, help my students and other educators at the secondary level?
Unfortunately, I cannot give you the statistics on the number of employers who require or are interested in career portfolios. I can, however, state that I am a big proponent of career portfolios because they are just another selling tool in the job-seeker’s career toolbox. A resume states what someone has accomplished, but a portfolio can actually show it! There is nothing more powerful, in my mind, than pulling out a hefty portfolio of your work and placing it on the interviewer’s desk with a resounding “thump.”
And while career portfolios have traditionally been used by job-seekers in the arts, more and more job-seekers across all disciplines are using them as a way to develop a career focus, document experiences and accomplishments, and as an aid for prepping for job interviews.
In fact, one of my colleagues actually supports the development of two portfolios, an external portfolio used for job-hunting purposes and an internal one, used for career development.
All businesses ideally want job-seekers with experience, and a portfolio is the tool to document that experience. Things that can be included in a career portfolio include:
- Resume(s)
- Career Goals/Objectives/Summary
- List of accomplishments
- Samples of work and reports
- Awards and honors
- Professional development activities
- Reference list
Just one final note: Do not send portfolios to employers unsolicited; job-seekers should bring portfolios with you to the interview.
Read more about career and job-search portfolios in this article published on Quintessential Careers: Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace.
Nancy writes: What should I do when an employer job posting or classified advertisement asks for a brief writing sample to be included with my resume and cover letter?
Are they requesting a sample of my handwriting, an original composition, or a combination of both?
Thank you for your help.
The Career Doctor responds: Writing samples are usually requested for jobs that require that job-seekers have the ability to express themselves in writing. However, research studies continue to show that employers place a high value on employees who can communicate well, regardless of the position. At the same time, employers continue to comment about the weak communications abilities of entry-level job-seekers and new college grads.
Employers who request writing samples want to judge the quality of your writing abilities, and thus seek any kind of samples that showcase your skills and abilities, such as papers, reports, articles, and the like. The employer will then use the writing samples to weed out unacceptable candidates and narrow the field.
My best advice to you is that if you have any questions about what the employer is specifically requesting, simply contact the hiring manager and ask for more details. By contacting the hiring manager, you can make a good first impression while being sure you are submitting the type of material the employer seeks.
Finally, a great way to keep all your writing samples and job-search correspondence and other materials in one convenient place is to develop a job-search portfolio. Not only is it convenient — because all your material is in one location — but it is also impressive to employers. Read more in my article, Your Job Skills Portfolio: Gaining an Edge in Job-Hunting.
Guy writes: A headhunter called me out of the blue and asked me about my interest in an associate creative director position (I’m a senior art director) in Florida. Frankly, I like where I work now, although I admit it is about time I got that promotion I so richly deserve.
Anyway, long story short, I got my “book” together and updated my resume and went into a funk. I realized that all the time I have been here I have not much but dreck to show for it.
Oy vey! I was determined to put the best spin on it, but I am really worried. My previous portfolio was creative and colorful and varied. Now my recent work seems to show nothing but plain-vanilla design. Part of this is the fault of the client’s taste; part is the fact that my superiors at work have kept me on such a lackluster account. But more importantly, I have to accept some blame for it. I feel my skills are being squandered. This job possibility has opened up a Pandora’s box.
You may not be enjoying what you perceive as a creative funk, but I think this call from the headhunter is the best thing to happen to you and your career. Most talented people do not enjoy doing bland, uncreative, and uninspired work. Consider the headhunter’s call as your wake-up call to reinvigorating your career. A lot of times in our careers we end up staying too long in one position or with one employer — because it’s the safe thing to do — and our career stagnates because of our fear of change.
So, what are your options? Well, you can try and close the lid to the Pandora’s Box that you opened and go back to enjoying your current job, with its boring client taste and vanilla designs. Or, you can embrace the frustration and dismay you are feeling and take charge of your career. If it’s time in your career for a change and a promotion, make the commitment to go after a new job with vigor.
Headhunters are one avenue to pursue when job-hunting, but there are many others. Use your network of contacts to announce you are seeking greener pastures. Take advantage of your professional association to network and search for jobs. Research and develop a list of companies where you would like to work and develop a direct mail campaign to each firm’s creative director. Consider using some of the many job sites on the Web. Contact your old teachers, professors, career and alumni offices of your former schools or colleges and solicit their help in your quest.
As for your portfolio — remember that there are no rules that say your most current work has to be showcased more than your previous work. A portfolio is all about showing your entire range of creativity, from the bland to the exotic. So rather than organizing the portfolio by job, organize it by categories of style and design.
Jeremiah writes: I’ve got a question regarding portfolios. It will take a folder with nice plastic dividers to make it look really nice. It is something that I do not want to make and just give to a interviewer. Do I need to make plenty of them to leave with interviewers or what do I do with it. Thanks.
The Career Doctor responds: I truly love the concept of career portfolios, and done correctly, they can become powerful tools for job-seekers. Different portfolio experts have slightly different ideas about portfolios, but let me give you mine.
First, invest in a really nice three-ring binder with a cover sleeve where you can insert your name and vital contact information. Second, formulate a plan for the organization of materials in your portfolio, such as career summary, mission, and goals; resume; skills sets; samples of your work; testimonials; awards and honors; transcripts; and other career-related information. Third, develop a table of contents. Fourth, using dividers or some other clever method, place your material directly into the binder or in plastic sleeves made for three-ring binders. I suggest keeping the originals in safe-keeping and placing duplicates (or high-quality copies) in your portfolio.
You really need only create one portfolio. The idea is not that these are disposable, but of lasting quality. Besides making a great first impression and showcasing your skills and abilities, the other great advantage of a portfolio is that it gives you a reason to see the employer — so that you can retrieve your portfolio after the hiring manager has had a few days to review it.
Finally, there is something to be said with how you present your portfolio in an interview. Don’t just simply lay it on the desk in front of the hiring manager. Wait for a question to arise, such as a question about your level of skills or technical expertise, where you can pull your portfolio out of your briefcase and walk the employer through it.
You can find more details and ideas in my article, Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace. And one more thing: portfolios do not just have to be print volumes; more job-seekers are also developing portfolios on the Web and on CD or DVD.
Erica writes:
I need to do a personal strategic plan regarding my career for myself. I am not sure of how or where to start. Can you help? Do you have a sample I could see?
The Career Doctor responds:
I’m not sure what has inspired you to do so, but I think it’s a great idea for everyone to take time away from the daily grind to reflect on your career. More specifically, this time would be wisely spent reviewing where you have been, where you are now, and where you see yourself in the future.
When should you do your strategic planning? Ideally, take a long weekend or some vacation days so you truly have the time and attitude to devout to this project — and the summer is a great time for many of us to do so. Should you do this kind of planning even if you are very happy in your current job/career? Of course! It’s the same thing as with the idea of always having a current resume — it’s always better to be prepared for the unexpected.
I am going to assume you are happy in your career, that way we can skip the career exploration part of career planning. However, if you are thinking of a future in a different career, be sure to add exploration as part of your plan.
So, here are the steps:
- Identify your next career move. If you have been examining multiple career paths, now is the time to narrow down the choices and focus on one or two careers.
- Conduct detailed career research and gather information on the careers that most interest you. Use the many resources we list in our Career Research Checklist.
- Pinpoint the qualifications you need to move to the next step in your career or to make the move to a new career path. If you’re not sure, search job postings and job ads, conduct informational interviews, research job descriptions.
- Compare your current profile with the qualifications developed in step 3. How far apart are the two profiles? If fairly well-matched, it may be time to switch to a job-search. If fairly far apart, can you realistically achieve the qualifications in the short-term? If yes, move to the next step; if no, consider returning to the first step.
- Develop a plan to get qualified. Make a list of the types of qualifications you need to enhance your standing for your next career move, such as receiving additional training, certification, or experience. Develop a timeline and action plans for achieving each type, being sure to set specific goals and priorities.
Get much more information, details, and links in this article published on Quintessential Careers: Developing a Strategic Vision for Your Career Plan.
Keith writes:
I am currently moving up the ladder in my career in the IT world. I have a lot of varied experiences, and think my skills are in pretty high demand. I’ve been thinking of putting together an online portfolio to showcase my work experience. Any thoughts? Pros? Cons?
The Career Doctor responds:
Career portfolios are a hot subject around my office — and among career professionals and recruiters alike.
I think one of the emerging career trends is that of managing your online visibility or presence. We’ve invented a new verb — and I know some of you purists won’t like it — but we’re now “googling” potential job candidates — especially those in mid- to higher-management, as well as freelancers and consultants.
Prospective employers want to see some proof of your accomplishments. And traditional print career portfolios are a way to show that proof in a job interview, but an online portfolio is a way to have those accomplishments available 24/7, adding to your “Google” rating. Besides an online portfolio, articles that quote you and projects that cite you will also add to your rating. By the way, it’s also a good idea to check for anything controversial that shows up with your name attached to it.
I don’t see any negatives to developing an online portfolio — unless you don’t put the necessary energy into it. For example, if the design is flawed or the content is weak (or becomes outdated). Or, if you put unprofessional material in your portfolio. I would think that for an IT professional, whether actively or passively job-searching, an online portfolio is a great tool.
We also found — according to a recent study titled Career Portfolios: Proof of Performance, and conducted by Quintessential Careers — that job-seekers learn more about themselves and their qualifications by preparing a career portfolio, thus boosting their confidence and preparing them for job interviews — regardless of how they actually use the portfolio.
Here are some of the things a job-seeker could put in his/her portfolio: resume(s), reference list, career goals summary, list of accomplishments, work samples, leadership experience, performance reviews, awards and honors, transcripts, degrees and certifications, professional-development activities, professional memberships and volunteering/community service.
Most of the research participants in our study recognized the value of online portfolios, but think that the emphasis is — and should be for the short-term at least — on print portfolios, suggesting that job-seekers develop an online portfolio after they have created the print version. Several reinforced, however, that online portfolios make the most sense for white-collar professionals, especially those involved with the Internet.
In a time when many employers are skeptical of the claims many job-seekers make on their resumes concerning their experiences and contributions, a career portfolio can be just the tool to use to show rather than tell.
Read more on Quintessential Careers: Proof of Performance: Career Portfolios an Emerging Trend for Both Active and Passive Job-Seekers.
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.
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