Your Complete
Tips
Tailor your portfolio to each interview. Include only those documents that highlight your skills as they relate to the job you are applying for.
Your portfolio can show the employer that you have what it takes to do the job. It showcases your achievements at work or in your volunteer or leisure activities. The interview is generally the best time to present your portfolio.
Portfolio
Putting together a portfolio can be quite time-consuming as it means going back over all your achievements. Here’s how best to proceed.
- Identify the most important skills for the job you are applying for. If you have a good idea of what the company is looking for, it will be easier to select your most relevant achievements.
- Identify your skills (see Exercise 2).
- Gather together the documents that show your skills, work experience, and participation in activities.
- Arrange your documents in an organized manner.
- Present your portfolio to someone and ask for their comments.
- Be sure to go over your portfolio before the interview.
Your portfolio should contain the following:
- Cover page (name, address, phone number, email address, date)
- Table of contents
- Statement summarizing your career goal
- Description of your skills as they pertain to the job you are applying for
- Description of a situation in which you demonstrated your skills
- Appendices (attach documents that illustrate your achievements)
Documents that illustrate your achievements:
- Documents you created, photos, development plans
- Your diplomas, certificates, and other attestations
- Positive assessments of your work
- Letters of thanks or congratulations
- Awards you have received
- Description of projects you have worked on
- Documents in which your name is mentioned