Portfolios

An important tool to have, especially when interviewing for jobs, is a portfolio. Everyone should have one. I used to think portfolios were only for people like photographers who needed visual samples of their work. I have since realized how easy it is to put together a portfolio regardless of the type of work you want to do.

First, find the thing you want to use as your portfolio. A small three ringed binder works perfectly. The first thing you should put in it is a few copies of your resume (updated, of course). It is always good to have copies of your resume handy, incase you unexpectedly run into someone and have an opportunity to network.

You also should keep your reference letters in your portfolio. Potential employers may ask for references, so always bring them to the interview. Don't wait until you are asked to provide a reference to ask someone to write one for you. At the end of an internship or job, ask your supervisor if they feel that they could write a good reference for you. This way you can keep them on file and use them as needed. Professors and co-workers can also make good references.

Supervisor evaluations and job descriptions of work you have previously done are a nice touch to your portfolio. This enables your potential employer to see how past employers have viewed your work and the types of responsibilities you have held.

Now, onto some really important things. A portfolio isn't a portfolio without samples of your work. Cater this to the types of jobs you will be applying for.

Samples of your writing are always a smart idea because writing is such an important aspect of many career fields. Have you ever written an article for the school newspaper? Or, perhaps, kept a blog for work? Are you interested in working in tv and happened to have saved your old scripts from classes? These all make good writing samples. Just don't add your ten page term paper from last semester's class and expect that your interviewer is going to want to read it.

Other work samples can include: outlines of big projects that you've completed through classes, work, or internships, demo reels, or anything else that shows responsibilities you've had and the positive outcomes of your work.

There are many websites that have suggestions as to what should be in your portfolio. As many jobs these days require the use of a computer, you may want to include a list of all of your computer skills. Even though you have specific reference letters, it's smart to have a list of your references, their job titles, and phone numbers. Potential employers may want to speak directly to a few of your references. Just be sure to ask permission before adding someone as a reference. You don't want them to be caught off guard when they get a call about you. You also want to be sure that they have positive things to say about you.

Putting together a portfolio is a very simple task. It gives you a tool to take with you to interviews as proof of what a great addition you would make to a company or organization. So, go start putting together your portfolio and use it to your advantage!