The Portfolio: Creatively Showcasing Your Skills

Posted on September 12, 2009 by Catherine Adenle | Comments (0)

(Image: Tidyup.co.uk)

A collection of samples that can be used to both communicate your interest and give evidence of your talents and experiences.
Visually shows what you have accomplished, learned or produced.
A creative way to showcase a unique special-purpose autobiography.

A portfolio should be displayed in an attractive and professional manner.
A 3-ring presentation binder with plastic dividing sheets is a good start but it is recommended that you purchase a professional portfolio case from any office supply or art store.

Typical Portfolio Elements
You can pick and choose from the list what is appropriate for the positions you are applying.

Title Page
Table of Contents
Confidentiality & Originality Statement
- Statement of Originality & Confidentiality
  This portfolio belongs to (Your Name)
  Please do not copy without permission. Some of the examples within this portfolio are the property of organizations that have granted permission for these items to be used in a demonstration of my work.
Personal Statements: mission, values, goals (link)
- Clearly state your unique purpose: define who you are, what you do & why you do it (your “brand”)
- Guiding principles for your career
- Management, counseling or teaching philosophy (depending on your focus)
- Make it original, simple, honest & direct
- Your mission statement should be one sentence, easy to understand and to memorize. Example: “My mission is to build relationships and empower others toward reaching their full potential.”
Resume (link to Writing a Resume section)
Reference Materials / Quotes from others / Employer Evaluations
Education & Training – Diplomas/Certificates/Grades/Transcripts/School Projects
Experience & Skills Section
Achievements & Awards
Community Service
Professional Affiliations
Personal interests and hobbies
Captions/Reflections
Photographs
Printouts (posters, flyers, brochures, etc.)
Articles
Personal Web Site or e-portfolio address

Choose recent examples
Quality is ALWAYS more important than quantity!
Avoid redundancy
If you dislike using a skill or knowledge, don’t feature it
Always ask permission to use work samples, if you have signed a confidentiality agreement

A file box and hanging files
A Professional-looking zippered 3-ring binder (D-ring is best)
Clear, no-glare sheet protectors
Divider tabs
Creative paper: use for title page, section dividers & summary pages. Generally a colourful, professional-looking card stock found at a craft supply store gives a coordinated look to the portfolio. Card stock can also be used for mounting photos & creating captions
Post-it tape or glue
A scanner & digital camera

To support your answers to interview questions with samples from your portfolio.
Review and know both your portfolio and the job announcement before going to the interview in order to stay focused.
Do not show the portfolio page by page to a hiring manager. The purpose of the portfolio is to hold all your documentation, show only what is appropriate for that specific interview.
Do your best not to lose control of your portfolio. At times the interviewer may try to look ahead or take the portfolio and leaf through it. Try to tactfully avoid this.
Bring your portfolio each time you interview even if you go for a second or third interview with that employer.

Match your portfolio to best fit your studies and your occupational focus.

Drama

Photographs of the shows you have been in.
Programs or posters from the shows you have worked with.
Articles that critique your performance or role in the production.
For directors, collect reviews. These give an objective review how successful the show was.
For designers within the realm of drama, collect are your drawings done for designing any show.
Display photographs throughout the construction of the set including the finished set to show the development that took place.

Art

Include a variety of mediums and styles.
Include works in progress and study projects to show your process. Large photographs work best.

Communications

Emphasize skill areas: Use tabbed sections containing information on your skills with work samples, class projects and letters of recommendations.
A skill set checklist of critical skills related to the field of Communications may be included. As you attain different levels of competency with each skill, an instructor or employer can sign off on your ability to perform the skill.

Credentials
- Resume
- Copy of your degree
- Transcripts
Reference Letters
- Letters from supervising teachers
- Letters from faculty from the School of Education
- Letters from Parents of students you have taught
- Letters/cards from students from your classroom
- Letters from former employers
Philosophies
- Philosophy of Education
- Philosophy of Classroom Management
- Philosophy of Discipline
- Philosophy of Pedagogy
Planning/Organizing
- Curriculum & Unit Plans
- Thematic Units
- Lesson Plans
- Event Planning; Field Trips
- Bulletin Boards
- Cooperative Learning Strategies
Evaluation
- Explanation of grading system
- Sample tests & assignments
Student Engagement
- Innovative ideas & activities
- Examples of adapting lessons for students with special needs
- Individualized plans
- Appreciation for diversity, ability to develop rapport with a wide array of students
Parent Involvement
- Letters to parents; progress reports
- Parent/teacher conferences
Subject Knowledge
- Lessons, assignments, projects & activities that demonstrate content knowledge
Extracurricular
- Coaching, advising, & tutoring
- Volunteer/Community Services
- Involvement with children
- Camp counselor roles
- Advisory Boards
Awards/Honours:
- Awards
- Certificates, letters, photos
Professional Development
- Professional memberships; leadership roles
- Publications
- Conferences attended
- Goal statements
- Meetings & Workshops

Portfolio Power: The New Way to Showcase All Your Job Skills and Experiences. Kimeldorf, Martin. Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s, c1997.
B260 K45 – 1997 c.1
Proof of Performance: How to Build a Career Portfolio to Land a Great New Job. Nelles, Rick. Manassas Park, VA: Impact Publications, c 2001.
B260 N45 – 2001 c.1
Creating Portfolios: For Success in School, Work and Life. Kimeldorf, Martin. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing Inc., c.1994.
B260 K56 – 1994 c.1
The Career Portfolio Workbook. Satterthwaite, Frank and Gary DOrsi. New York: McGraw-Hill, c.2003.
B260 S28 – 2003 c.1
Creating Your Career Portfolio: At a Glance Guide for Students. Williams, Anna Graf and Karen Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall., c2001.
B260 W55 – 2001 c.1