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| Basics of Portfolio Development |
This page is designed to provide a simple step-by-step instructions on
how we develop and present professional portfolios.
The key to developing a dynamic portfolio
is being dedicated to quality and thoroughness. An effective portfolio
represents an individual's key qualities and achievements by providing a
complete picture of that person's qualifications, knowledge, skills and
abilities. It also provides a picture of their future capabilities.
This page will provide a model and ideas
we follow while we develop professional portfolios for our clients. We
do not follow any examples, but rather use our own creative approach
when working on development of professional portfolios for our
clientele. We develop portfolios that fit our clients' occupations and
personalities.
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DEFINITION
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| A
professional portfolio delivers a complete picture of an individual's
accomplishments and skills to the employer. It is a way of showcasing
and providing further evidence of professional qualifications and
abilities.
A portfolio is a
collection of information that represents individual's career and its
highlights. The information is usually packaged in a three-ring
binder with dividers separating the different types of information or
topics.
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PORTFOLIO FORMATS
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| PORTFOLIO (HARD COPY). Click here to
order
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| Each document or sample could
be placed into a plastic sheet protector so that the page remain
crisp and fresh regardless of the number of times it is reviewed.
Sometimes it is a good idea to submit your professional portfolio on CD.
This is very useful for copying or disseminating your information. |
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PORTFOLIO ON CD
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| A portfolio on CD is useful
for Multimedia or programming specialists or individuals who cannot
demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities using binders,
printouts, etc. For example, if you are a computer programmer you will
not be able to show a sample of your programs in the form of printouts.
You may want to consider developing your
portfolio as a Microsoft Power Point Presentation or a mini web site
(HTML format) saved on CD with links to samples of your work on the
Internet. Both Microsoft Power Point and HTML formats can be easily
uploaded on the Internet or copied to your potential employer's database
of resumes should you run out of CDs.
Ensure that your portfolio can be
accessed easily. You never know when a job opportunity may become
available.
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| PORTFOLIO (WEB PAGE/SITE VERSION)
Click here to
order
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| This is the best possible
option for anyone who wants to market his/her skills over the Internet
using e-mail instead of regular mail. Best of all, it is available to
anyone any time and there are no duplication or mailing costs. Also
this type of portfolio is very easy to edit. You can edit your portfolio
from anywhere in the world.
There is also
downside to it as well. Information about you is available to anyone ...
including scammers and criminals. Avoid using your home address and
telephone number. Use P.O. Box office and web based untraceable e-mail
address such as Hushmail
instead of your home address and telephone numbers or your home e-mail
address which can be traced to yourself or your home.
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WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BUILD A PORTFOLIO? |
| A portfolio is a means of
setting yourself apart from the competition. It is a way
of "backing up" the claims made in the initial cover
letter and your resume or professional profile. Often candidates
applying for the same position tend to look similar to the recruiter or
potential employer. A professional portfolio can help to set you apart
from the competition.
During the development of a portfolio job
seekers will begin to think of themselves as a series of skills and
abilities rather than job title. This enables people to conduct
their job search with an entrepreneurial spirit - the product is
"Me Inc" rather than "Me Employee".
Portfolios assist people to dig deeper
and rediscover all of their achievements and all of the
kudos they have received over the course of their career. This process
builds an individual's self-confidence and allows the individual to
represent him/herself more positively during an interview.
In the past, designers and consultants
used portfolios successfully in their search for contracts. The world of
work has changed dramatically in recent years and many people now work
on contract basis. People are hired to do a specific amount of
work rather to fill a position. The changing nature of work makes it
beneficial for individuals to use portfolios when searching for
employment.
A well prepared portfolio should:
- Illustrate your achievements.
- Document the scope and quality of
your experience
- Show your skills and abilities
- Set you apart from other candidates
- Exemplify your unique qualities.
- Convince your future employer that
you are the most qualified candidate
- Ensure that you will be invited for
a personal interview
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WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED |
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The best way to determine what
information to include in your portfolio is to ask yourself:
- What strengths, skills and abilities
can I offer?
- What are the needs of my potential
employer(s)?
- What have I done to demonstrate these
skills.
Use your answers to guide your selection
and organization of the materials. Your portfolio should be a creative
expression of your unique skills, abilities and experiences.
The following list contains some possible
categories.
Career Summary and Goals
- A description of what you sand for
(such as work ethic, organizational interests, management
philosophy, etc.) and where your career in the future.
- Resume or Professional Profile.
- A summary of your education,
achievements and work experience.
Skills, Abilities and Marketable Qualities
A detailed explanation of your
skills and experience. This category will include a sub-title of the
skill area with bulleted pointed underneath explaining the performance
or behaviour, knowledge of personal traits, that contribute to your
success in that skill area. Do not forget to include specific
experiences that demonstrate your application of the skill.
Samples of your work:
- Include reports, papers, studies,
brochures, projects and presentations that illustrate your best
work.
- Testimonials and Letters of
Recommendations
- A collection of letters for customers,
clients, colleagues, past employers, professors, etc. You could also
include positive performance evaluations.
- Awards and Honors
- A list of conferences, seminars and
workshops you have presented or attended.
- Transcripts, Degrees, Licenses and
Certifications
- A descriptions of relevant courses,
degrees, licences and certifications received.
- References
- A list of three to five individuals
that have agreed to speak to potential employers about your career
experiences and qualities (including full names, titles, telephone
numbers, and e-mail addresses.
Every individual is unique and his/her
professional portfolio should represent their unique skills. It is worth
while incorporating a number of extra features to create long lasting
impression. For example, if you are seeking
a teaching position you may want to add:
- Student teaching evaluations.
- Sample lesson plans
- A videotape of your teaching
- Sample of syllabi or unit plans
- Pictures of bulletin boards you
created
- Teaching tools you have created
- Information about your
extra-curricular activities you were involved in
- Pictures of you with students
- A copy of your teaching licence.
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| How should a portfolio be presented |
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Your portfolio is a reflection of the
individual. It must be well organized and complete
- A portfolio can be kept in a three
ring binder or in a professional case.
- Create a table of contents
- Use tabs or dividers to separate the
various sections
- Label the different sections
- Place similar items together
- Place the key information closer to
the front.
- Always take your portfolio to your job
interviews. Answer the interviewer's questions by referring to your
portfolio when appropriate.
- Remember to keep your portfolio
up-to-date even after you are employed. Save copies of
materials you have written, projects you have worked on, letters you
have received, and performance reviews that were positive. By
staying organized your next job search will begin that much more
smoothly.
KEEP YOUR
PORTFOLIO CURRENT BY UPDATING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
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PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT STEPS |
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We Develop the first draft by:
1. Researching the employer or job
desired.
2. Reviewing and assembling work samples.
3. Developing a sequence for the samples.
4. Writing captions and titles.
5. Creating an introduction and table of
contents.
In other words, this is a first rough
draft or a blue print of a future portfolio.
Once the first draft is developed we let
our clients review their portfolios, verify accuracy of the statements
presented and make suggestions to improve clarity and effectiveness.
At this stage we also assist our clients with implementations of
appropriate revisions and completion of a final draft.
Many of the same rules apply to resume
writing also apply to portfolio development. For
more information please consult our on-line
free resume preparation tips page. We:
- Write all of the text using a computer
- Print documents on high quality bond
paper using a laser printer
- Edit your portfolio meticulously to
make sure that there are no errors.
- Tailor your portfolio to the employer
by customizing the captions and headings.
How long should a portfolio be.
- A general rule of thumb is a portfolio
should include about 10-12 work samples (not including table of
contents and introduction.) Include one excellent letter of
reference rather than two or three mediocre ones.
- Keep in mind that your goal is
to impress the prospective employer, therefore you only want to
include the most impressive samples of your work
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Using your portfolio in an interview |
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Select relevant items from your
professional portfolio to include in a smaller interview portfolio. This
portfolio can be presented during an interview to emphasize the
knowledge or skills your possess that are relevant to the position.
Interview portfolio should:
- Look professional
- Focus on the occupation
- Be easy to update and easy for the
employer to review able to stand alone without an explanation
- Include the best samples from your
professional portfolio.
Portfolio Outline
- Introductory Title Page
- Table of contents
The table of contents can be organized
chronologically or functionally. In the chronological format
the selections organized according to job description and dates the
portfolio samples represent. In the functional format the
selections are packaged according to topic. this method pulls
together varied experiences.
Provide a reflection statement in either
paragraph or bulleted format that contains the following information:
- A brief description of the sample item
and the context in which the item was selected.
- A detailed list of the competencies
developed or revealed by the sample.
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Conclusion |
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A few final ideas and thoughts:
- Carefully examine your career to find
the most relevant pieces of information to illustrate your
background.
- Edit carefully
- Update your portfolio regularly once
you are employed.
- What are you waiting for? Let us help
you to start building a portfolio that captures your style, your
skills and experience.
- Click here to
order your Portfolio
Preparation service on-line and call us at (403) 263-3367 (toll free
1-866-862-3424) to set-up your appointment.
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