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Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work

Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work. Portfolio Development. What is a portfolio? Why do I need a portfolio? How do I get started? What should I put in my portfolio? What type of portfolio is right for me? Where can I get a portfolio? How do I present my portfolio?.

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Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work

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  1. Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work

  2. Portfolio Development • What is a portfolio? • Why do I need a portfolio? • How do I get started? • What should I put in my portfolio? • What type of portfolio is right for me? • Where can I get a portfolio? • How do I present my portfolio?

  3. What is a Portfolio? • A portfolio is a showcase of your best work • An organized collection of samples that presents both your personal and professional achievements • Documents the scope and quality of your experience

  4. Why Do I Need a Portfolio? • A portfolio provides tangible evidence to an employer of your accomplishments, skills and abilities • An interview should be equal parts “show & tell” • Your resume and letters of recommendation are your “tell” • Your portfolio is your “show” • 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

  5. How Do I Get Started? • Identify work to be included • Internships • Coursework • Volunteer Work • Organizations / Extracurricular

  6. How Do I Get Started? • Choose pieces that will highlight your strengths • Writing Ability • Creativity • Leadership • Strategic Thinking • Analytical Skills

  7. How Do I Get Started? • Locate and organize pieces • Contact former employers, supervisors to ask for samples if you don’t already have them

  8. 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

  9. What Type of Portfolio is Right for Me? • Two standard portfolio types: • Hard Copy • Digital

  10. Hard Copy Portfolio Formats • Spiral-Bound • 3-Ring Binder • Booklet • Oversize • Expanding File • Folio / Briefcase

  11. Hard Copy Portfolios • 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 • Cons: • Difficult to share with employers prior to the interview • Not an effective “leave-behind” • Easy to include too much information

  12. Digital Portfolio Formats • PDF • PowerPoint / KeyNote • Apple iLife • Blog • Website • Portfolio Community Site (i.e. CarbonMade, Shown’d)

  13. Digital Portfolios • 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 • 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

  14. Where Can I Get a Portfolio? • Hard Copy Portfolios • Art Supply Stores • Office Supply Stores • Bookstores • Levenger.com / FastPortfolio.com • Digital Portfolios • CarbonMade.com (Example) • Shownd.com • Coroflot.com • Issuu.com • SquareSpace.com Average Cost: $20 – $200+

  15. How Do I Present My Portfolio? Before the Interview… • Prepare your portfolios, both hard copy and digital • Acquire any samples you don’t already have • Convert any file types necessary for digital portfolio • When applying for positions, include a link to your digital portfolio in your resume, cover letters and LinkedIn page

  16. How Do I Present My Portfolio? During the Interview… • Bring your hard copy portfolio to the interview • After sharing your resume and answering any questions your interviewer may ask, offer to show your portfolio • 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 • Answer any questions the employer may have about your work

  17. How Do I Present My Portfolio? After the Interview… • 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 • Send your interviewer a thank-you note!

  18. Other Portfolio Tips • 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 • Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! • A great portfolio with typos is a failure • Attention to detail is critical to employers • Get a Professional Opinion • Ask an advisor, professor or former employer to critique your work • Show as many people as possible

  19. Other Portfolio Tips • Practice Your Presentation • Get your details right • Only include the information that is most relevant • Become comfortable with talking about your accomplishments • 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 • 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

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