Banner: Portfolios

Portfolios

Portfolios

A portfolio is a collection of work samples that you can bring to an interview, send to a prospective employer, or even post online.

Portfolios can:

  • Provide evidence of work that you have done.
  • Illustrate your skills and abilities.
  • Show the quality of your work.

A portfolio is a way to organize and present your skills, projects, training and education. It allows you to display your best work. It also can provide a way to tell the story of your career and the challenges you have overcome. If you are looking into several types of jobs, then you may need more than one portfolio. Read below to learn about the types of portfolios you might want to create for yourself. Then visit Work samples to learn about samples you might want to include.

Paper portfolios

For a paper portfolio, begin with a loose-leaf binder with divider:

  • The first page can be a fresh copy of your resume. Or place that in a pocket in the front cover.
  • Include a table of contents. This makes it easier for both you and the prospective employer to find items quickly.
  • Display the rest of the content in clear page protectors.

Group your work samples into logical categories. For example, you could organize by the specific skills used, the type of project, or product line. How you organize your portfolio is up to you, but make sure you label each item. Explain what each item is, your involvement, and the skills you used. If possible, use color copies or colored paper to add visual appeal. Another option is to include partial samples of your work and offer full versions if the interviewer requests them.

Besides work samples, there are a number of other items you could include in your portfolio:

  • Employer/industry information (articles on the interviewer, employer, and industry)
  • Skills list, matched to the specific job
  • Job match letter
  • Workshops and conferences attended
  • References, evaluations, letters of recommendation, and testimonials
  • Letters of thanks
  • Articles about you
  • Stories demonstrating skills or character (preferably signed)

During the interview, refer back to the portfolio any time you can. Look for opportunities to show and tell the employer what you have done. Each time, pull out a copy to show the interviewer. Have a photocopy available to leave behind.

Online portfolios

Online portfolios are an easy way for potential employers to view samples of your work. And that might just tip the scales in your favor. Include your portfolio's web address on all job search communication. If you participate in online networking, add a link to your online portfolio. This will make it easier for your network to recommend your work to others.

Don't be tempted to quickly throw an online portfolio together. You need to research your technical options. And there are a lot of them out there — from blogs to free or subscription portfolios to building your own website. Free services allow you to get up and running quickly with limited design skills. But they may come with some disadvantages:

  • They may restrict how many files you can upload as well as the type AND size of the files.
  • They may allow limited customization.
  • They may show ads on your blog or portfolio. (This is how some can offer it for free.)

The online portfolio solution you choose will depend on your needs, time, budget, and web skills. Carefully compare features to determine which one meets your needs.

  • Blog portfolios can be an excellent starting point, especially if used only for that purpose. They tend to be easy to set up and use. Most allow you to organize content easily. You can also embed almost anything. Blogs are often free, but many have subscription options with advanced features. This may be a good option if you need a simple portfolio.
  • Free or subscription-based portfolios tend to allow a wider range of file types, and larger files. These files are uploaded directly to the host site. Portfolio options are geared toward presenting graphic elements rather than text. These are ideal if you need to showcase work visually.
  • Custom portfolios give you the most control over how your work is presented. They also require the most hands-on labor since you must design the site yourself. Free templates and tools can simplify the process. You will also need to register a domain name and host the site somewhere.

You might be surprised by the variety of work samples you can use. Check out the list below to get started.

How many work samples should you include?

In general, be selective about what you feature. If you include too many examples, employers may experience information overload. They may also question your ability to identify the work that best illustrates your skills. If you include too few, employers may think you are inexperienced. Keep it simple and showcase only your best. Most of the time, less is more.

How should you get started selecting your work samples?

Start by creating an outline. Make a list of your skills, knowledge, and experience. This will help you categorize your work. The type of work samples you include will depend on your occupation and industry. Here are some examples:

Occupation
You could include

Artist

Photographs of your paintings, illustrations, sculptures, etc.

Chef or baker

Photographs of your culinary creations

Dancer, actor, musician

Video and/or audio recordings of your work

Designer

Photos of graphic, interior, or web design work

Facilitator or trainer

Copies of presentation or training materials, participant evaluations, and video recordings of your presentations

Mechanic

Pictures of auto restorations

Multimedia specialist

Copies of interactive programs you have created

Photographer

Prints of your photographs

Public relations specialist

Copies of press work and marketing plans as well as results of event promotions

Office support staff

Brochures, reports, newsletters, spreadsheets, and other examples of work that you have completed

Researcher

Copies of research reports, peer reviews, technical documents, and articles in newspapers and professional journals as well as any awards received

Sales person

Graphs showing sales results

Tailor or seamstress

Pictures of the clothing that you have produced (and wear your own creations to the job interview)

Teacher

Copies of lesson plans, class projects, and assignments

Writer

Copies of blogs, newspapers, and journal articles as well as grant proposals, reports, marketing plans, etc.

Other sources of work samples include hobbies, sports, scouts, hunting, fishing, crafts, volunteer work, and other interests. You could even include leadership, teamwork, or “before and after” examples. Make sure you update the samples in your portfolio regularly.