© MARC USA 2010 – All Rights Reserved Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work

Portfolio Development o What is a portfolio? o Why do I need a portfolio? o How do I get started? o What should I put in my portfolio? o What type of portfolio is right for me? o Where can I get a portfolio? o How do I present my portfolio? © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

What is a Portfolio? o A portfolio is a showcase of your best work o An organized collection of samples that presents both your personal and professional achievements o Documents the scope and quality of your experience © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Why Do I Need a Portfolio? o A portfolio provides tangible evidence to an employer of your accomplishments, skills and abilities o An interview should be equal parts “show & tell” Your resume and letters of recommendation are your “tell” Your portfolio is your “show” o The job market is competitive A strong portfolio is a way to distinguish yourself Lacking a portfolio sends the message that you haven’t done any work that is relevant or worthy of being shown © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

How Do I Get Started? o Identify work to be included Internships Coursework Volunteer Work Organizations / Extracurricular © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

How Do I Get Started? o Choose pieces that will highlight your strengths Writing Ability Creativity Leadership Strategic Thinking Analytical Skills © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

How Do I Get Started? o Locate and organize pieces Contact former employers, supervisors to ask for samples if you don’t already have them © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

What Should I Put in My Portfolio? Action Reports Advertisements Articles Backgrounders Booklets Brochures Case Studies Charts & Graphs Event Invitations Fact Sheets Flyers Media Alerts Media Clippings Media Plans Newsletters Packaging Samples Posters Presentations Press Kits Press Releases Proposals Research Topline Summaries Timelines Website Content / Layout © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

What Type of Portfolio is Right for Me? o Two standard portfolio types: Hard Copy Digital © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Hard Copy Portfolio Formats o Spiral-Bound o 3-Ring Binder o Booklet o Oversize o Expanding File o Folio / Briefcase © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Hard Copy Portfolios o Pros: Able to show pieces to actual size and scale (3D, die-cut, etc.) No additional file modification/resizing needed Employers can touch and feel samples during interview Easiest format to present in an interview setting Customizable – lots of options o Cons: Difficult to share with employers prior to the interview Not an effective “leave-behind” Easy to include too much information © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Digital Portfolio Formats o PDF o PowerPoint / KeyNote o Apple iLife o Blog o Website o Portfolio Community Site (i.e. CarbonMade, Shown’d) © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Digital Portfolios o Pros: Demonstrates aptitude with current technology Slow adoption – get ahead of the curve Convenient way to organize all your work in one place Allows employers to review your work before and after interviews o Cons: Requires a certain level of tech-savvy Time intensive to develop Requires electronic formats – file modifications often needed Difficult to present during an interview Has to be able to speak for itself © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Where Can I Get a Portfolio? o Hard Copy Portfolios Art Supply Stores Office Supply Stores Bookstores Levenger.com / FastPortfolio.com Levenger.comFastPortfolio.com o Digital Portfolios CarbonMade.com (Example) CarbonMade.comExample Shownd.com Coroflot.com Issuu.com SquareSpace.com Average Cost: $20 – $200+ © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

How Do I Present My Portfolio? Before the Interview… o Prepare your portfolios, both hard copy and digital Acquire any samples you don’t already have Convert any file types necessary for digital portfolio o When applying for positions, include a link to your digital portfolio in your resume, cover letters and LinkedIn pageLinkedIn © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

How Do I Present My Portfolio? During the Interview… o Bring your hard copy portfolio to the interview o After sharing your resume and answering any questions your interviewer may ask, offer to show your portfolio o Be brief but thorough in your explanation of samples Explain your role in the project Discuss leadership and teamwork, if applicable State results or feedback o Answer any questions the employer may have about your work © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

How Do I Present My Portfolio? After the Interview… o Offer to leave behind any samples the employer would like to review further Print-outs/CD of hard copy samples Link to your digital portfolio o Send your interviewer a thank-you note! © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Other Portfolio Tips o Prepare in Advance You never know when an interview opportunity will arise Your portfolio should reflect time and effort Research portfolio types and decide which one is right for you o Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! A great portfolio with typos is a failure Attention to detail is critical to employers o Get a Professional Opinion Ask an advisor, professor or former employer to critique your work Show as many people as possible © MARC USA 2013 – All Rights Reserved

Other Portfolio Tips o Practice Your Presentation Get your details right Only include the information that is most relevant Become comfortable with talking about your accomplishments o Give Credit Where it is Due Only claim work for which you were directly responsible If it was a group project, be sure to point out your areas of contribution o Only Show Your Best Work Your time to present your credentials is limited Choose projects that highlight the skills you can bring to the position