How to Make a Career Portfolio

Learning Objectives

Learnwhy job seekers should use a career

portfolio

Understand what should be included in a

career portfolio

Learn how to use your career portfolio

Why Use a Career Portfolio

Give employers
information that could
not be included in your
resume and cover letter

Illustrate
accomplishments for
employers
Give Employers More Information

Resumes only give employers a snap shot

view of an applicants skills and education
Good cover letters are short and to the
point - describes why an applicant is
applying for a position
A career portfolio can be used to fill in
the gaps lost in a resume and cover letter
Give Employers More Information

Career Portfolios can show an applicants

organizational skills and attention to detail

Career portfolios help employers

remember topics discussed during an
interview
Illustrate an Accomplishment

Verifies a point made during an interview

Helps the visually minded interviewer
grasp a concept
Describes a common attribute
Can be used to identify past work
experience and current qualifications
Give Employers More Information
Example:

Question Do you work well with other

people?

Response Answer the employers

question and refer to a former customer
service award or performance evaluation
What Should Be Included?
What Can Be Included
Table of Contents
Career Summary and Goals
Traditional Resume
Samples of Work
Awards and Honors
Transcripts and/or Degrees
Letters of Reference
Table of Contents
A table of contents should be used to
help employers locate important
documents
Tabs or dividers should be included to
separate different types of information
Remember - Your career portfolio shows
an employer attention to detail and
organizational skills
Career Summary and Goals
Description of
what you stand for
(i.e. work ethic,
values, preferred
management style)

Where you see

yourself in three to
five years (long-
term goals)
Resume
Be sure to include
your resume
Functional,
chronological, or
combination format
Should summarize
accomplishments,
work experience, and
education
Samples of Work
Writing Samples

Graphs and Charts

Sample Budgets

Brochures and Marketing Materials

Awards and Honors

Work Related Awards and

Accomplishments (i.e. employee of the
month)

Honors or Professional Certificates

Performance Reviews
Transcripts/Degrees
College Transcripts

Certificates of Completion

Professional Licensure (i.e. GCDF)

Diplomas/Certificates of Completion
Letters of Reference
Letters should be written by professional
colleagues and/or former supervisors

Obtain letters that address different types

of skills and abilities

Include a reference page with at least

three names, addresses, and phone
numbers
How to Use Your Portfolio
Be sure you can locate different pieces of
information easily
Be sure to update your portfolio
Be sure to include information that is
relevant to the position applied for
Think about using an electronic portfolio
(i.e. if a position emphasizes computer
knowledge)
Dont Forget
Your portfolio is a
reflection of your
organizational skills
and attention to
detail

Your portfolio will

help leave a lasting
impression with an
employer