stand out in the crowd with a portfolio

Stand Out in the Crowd

Portfolios

• Resume Interview

• Interview Opportunity

• Opportunity Portfolio Hire

Do you “sizzle”?!

• Steak on the grill – Looks good– Smells good

• Add the “Sizzle” and the package is complete! • It’s irresistible!• Sizzle means results• Toot your own horn

What is it?

• Show & Tell Resume – Sophisticated Scrapbook• Collection of classroom, work, internship or

volunteer materials• Resource to present yourself more effectively– beyond your mere words

They are not just for

Art, Design & Education Careers!

Why a Portfolio?

• A resume proves nothing – It only makes claims

• Tool -- helps you validate your claims• Allows you to elaborate & include additional information• "I have excellent communication skills.“ VS having a

portfolio including the guest column you wrote for the student newspaper, or the brochure you designed for your student organization

Did you know?• Study done at the University of Texas found that people

remember (Metcalf 1997):

10 percent of what they read

20 percent of what they hear

30 percent of what they see

50 percent of what they see and hear

“Something is happening. We are becoming a visually mediated society. For many, understanding of the world is being accomplished, not through words, but by reading images.”

Paul Martin Lester, “Syntactic Theory of Visual Communication”

How to use it• During each interview– Show your portfolio to the interviewer – Back up what you're saying about your education,

skills and experience• It will relieve some of your nervousness – Puts the focus on an object

• Because it is visible it is easier to remember than a “Yes, I can do that” statement

• I can't guarantee that a portfolio will get you a job or that every employer will want to see your portfolio but I can say with confidence that collecting samples and crafting a portfolio showcasing your accomplishments will increase your power to communicate your worth to employers, customers or clients.

“When you are serious about pursuing a career, your attention to

the little things can make a big difference in being perceived as a

quality candidate. It can separate you from the crowd, elevating you from

good to great.”

Eric Mason, Federated Insurance Company

Employer’s Perspective• Bit overwhelmed • Impressed – time & short notice• Consistent with interview presentation• Provided more than resume ever could have• Proved work ability – samples• Looked for what matched the job

What do you put in it?

• Portfolio possibilities are limited only by – Your imagination – Your willingness to

invest extra hours

To begin…

• You CAN judge a book by it’s cover• Decide what you want it to look like & what

you will include• Should be attractive, well organized & relevant• Serves as a reflection of YOU!

The Basics• Binder of some sort• Cover Sheet

– Name, Photo• Sheet protectors• Copies• Tabs or Dividers• Manageable size• No page numbers• Consistent• Summary Statements

Cover Pages

Sections• Table of Contents• Resume• Letters• Education• Work Experience• Work Samples• Awards & Honors

Resume

• Great to have in case you or the interviewer forgets to bring one

• Can easily refer back to sections of relevance during the interview

Education

Education

• Transcripts• Degree• Honors• Special awards• Can be a larger section if you are academically

inclined

Work Samples

• Research papers• Lab work• Charts/graphs• Proposals

• Writing samples• Presentations• Flyers• Websites

Awards & Honors

• Those that continue to be relevant over time• Can include letters • Performance appraisals/reviews (if positive)• Congratulatory emails• Notes from peers or superiors commending

you on your work

Other Ideas

• Outstanding papers• Thank-you notes• Posters you whipped up on short notice• Photos you have of yourself volunteering or in other

professional settings• Agendas of meetings or workshops you designed and/or

delivered• Certificates of attendance – seminars/workshops• Professional licenses/certificates

Places to start

• Microsoft Office Templates– Award certificates, Flyers, Brochures– Hiring and Recruiting Section, Resume Collection