C REATING A C AREER P ORTFOLIO

W HAT IS A C AREER P ORTFOLIO ? A visual way to represent your credentials, skills and achievements Port – means portable or transportable Folio – means packaging your credentials, skills and achievement using a variety of formats (3-ring binders, other covers, electronic, etc.)

W HY C REATE AND U SE A P ORTFOLIO ? Allows you to highlight your skills. Provides the “Big Picture” Supporting evidence that you are the best candidate for a college or a job! Provides a sense of direction Success

W HEN D O Y OU S TART A SSEMBLING YOUR PORTFOLIO ? NOW!!!

W HAT S HOULD B E I NCLUDED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO ? Your Cover Should include — Your name and contact information Your mission statement – a short comment that gives your goals and abilities and sells you to the reader Some artwork or picture of yourself – optional

W HAT S HOULD B E I NCLUDED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO ? Education Information Diplomas Certificates Relevant course work or training Ability to use technology Copy of home page, if you have a website Academic awards Special skills and abilities Special projects you were involved with

W HAT S HOULD B E I NCLUDED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO ? Work Experience Jobs you have held and jobs you currently have Job descriptions if necessary Internships or job shadowing experiences Records of your performance Special project which you were involved with Evidence of personal leadership – e.g. community service

W HAT S HOULD B E I NCLUDED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO ? Examples of your work — could include multiple pages Photos Designs Sample sales page Sales brochures you created Links to or pages from websites Grants received Projects you have worked on Awards you have received

W HAT S HOULD B E I NCLUDED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO ? Reference Information Actual letters from previous employers, teachers, counselors, etc. Listing of contact information if actual letters are not available

W HAT S HOULD B E I NCLUDED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO ? Possible items to include A table of contents Grant writing samples Military service documents Public mention in the media A copy of your resume

S OME T IPS CHECK GRAMMAR AND SPELLING!!! Appearance is important – neatness counts! Use page protectors for pages within portfolio No more than 10 pages On your resume or cover letter, write “Portfolio Available” Consider type of binder carefully – 3-ring, plastic, soft plastic binders, etc.

R ESOURCES Preparing a Portfolio PortfolioPreparation.pdf PortfolioPreparation.pdf How to Create a Career Portfolio Portfolio Portfolio A Guide to Your Career Portfolio load/Portfolio-Guide.pdf load/Portfolio-Guide.pdf