Portfolios and work samples
A professional portfolio highlights a collection of your best professional and academic work, providing documentation of your skills, experience and training. Portfolios are a great way for job seekers in all career fields to stand out.
Hard copy portfolios
Hard copy portfolios contain relevant examples of your work that are organized in a professional binder. Use your portfolio during interviews to strengthen your responses to interview questions by providing tangible evidence.
Electronic portfolios
Electronic portfolios can be created using online resources and allow you to use multimedia to showcase your relevant work samples. You can also create a simple website or use a blog platform to create an electronic portfolio. Include the online electronic portfolio address on your resume with your contact information or in your cover letter.
Creating your portfolio
Collect samples from academic courses, work experience, volunteer experience, and other activities that highlight your skills. Sort and organize your content into relevant skills and experience categories. Choose categories that are most relevant to your career field. Research positions to help determine the skills and experiences needed for your career field or talk to a professional in your field.
Elements to include
- Career goals and objectives
- Resume
- Transcripts or copy of your diploma
- Certificates and awards
- Letters of recommendation
- Job descriptions
- Work projects
- Performance evaluations
- Thank-you notes given to you by colleagues or customers
- E-mails acknowledging your work
- Writing samples
- Presentations
- Flyers from events or presentations
- Academic projects
- Leadership examples
- Examples of technical proficiencies
- Job specific examples (e.g. lesson plans, training certificates, lab write ups, work goals, sample assignments)
Tips
- Be selective; display only your best work.
- Include a table of contents and maintain structure.
- Tailor your portfolio to your industry.