Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs
What is a Career Portfolio? The original portfolio used by artists looking for work was simply a collection of works demonstrative of the artists style and ability. Because their works varied in size and shape, portfolios came in all sizes and shapes. Fashion designers would lug a box of their clothing and accessory designs from interview to interview hoping for the big break. Potential employers or commission agents could view the art or garments and decide if applicants were likely to be able to paint or design what they had in mind. In more recent days, people such as architects, whose work has a personal dimension, carried rolls of drawings and photographs to interviews. Now others have realised the potential of portfolios and jumped onto the bandwagon, but with electronic and physical portfolios. A portfolio is, according to a dictionary, "A portable case for holding material, such as loose papers, photographs, or drawings. The materials collected in such a case, especially when representative of a person's work: a photographer's portfolio; an artist's portfolio of drawings." A reworked definition could perhaps refer to a portfolio as, "a collection of evidence, nicely presented, that job applicants show prospective employers to help present their case." It might also be an online or electronic portfolio. But whatever we call it, it differs from a Curriculum Vitae or Resume. Differences between a Portfolio and a Resume While a resume presents a summary of a job seekers qualifications, experience and special attainments etc, it doesn't necessarily contain verifiable evidence. This verifiability of evidence has become a challenge for HR professionals as the number of false claims to teriary qualifications and experience increase. A portfolio contains original documentation and certification from appropriate authorities and is therefore less likely to be fraudulent. This is a great benefit both to the recruiting people and job applicants. How is a Career Portfolio presented? If you load a search engine and type "career portfolio" into the search field and press enter, you'll find dozens of online portfolios. These are excellent tools for such people as photographers, graphic designers and others whose work is highly visual and capable of being displayed cost effectively and efficiently. I tell my clients to place their original documentation in a binder containing plastic envelopes with heading pages dividing each topic eg,
Cover Page (with name and career goals)
Table of Contents (if it's large)
Personal Details
Qualifications
Experience
Awards
Referees
All the original documents are placed behind the relevant heading in reverse chronological order. When presenting it to a potential employee, take only those items that are relevant from the plastic envelopes, have them photocopied and reassemble the portfolio with original cover and topic pages and duplicate evidence pages. Either staple it three times down the left side or spend a little more and comb bind it. (Some recruiters need to photocopy applications and ask for documents not to be bound. If that's the case, simply attach a clip to the top of it). Send the copy with your job application and advise the recruiting authority that you will bring originals with you to the interview for examination. Wherever practicable, get your original documents verified by a suitable authority eg, Notary Public. Do I include my Resume? It's purely a matter of personal choice. I'd prefer to attach the resume to my letter of application, but to keep it separate from the portfolio. If you'd prefer to include it, perhaps consider using it instead of a table of contents That way, it can point to the other items presented in the portfolio. Conclusion When you apply for a job you need as much in your favour as possible. A portfolio can add weight to the credibility of your application, especially if it contains things like copies of reports you have written, projects you managed, letters of congratulations for doing a good job etc. But be careful. Don't
make it a contest to see how much padding you can cram into your portfolio. Maintain a healthy balance between proving your superior worth for a job and boasting about the dozens of wonderful, but largely irrelevent things you have done. Good luck with your proftolio. Copyright Robin Henry 2005 Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet marketer. He helps small to middle-sized businesses and individuals improve performance by accessing smart technology and processes and personal development. He runs his business Desert Wave Enterprises from Alice Springs, Central Australia and can be found at http://www.dwave.com.au.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Searching for an Executive Job
A job search for executives is far less complicated today than it has been in the past. Anyone who is looking for an executive job can simply look to the Internet where there are hundreds of employment websites, with many specifically geared towards executives. These websites offer individuals the opportunity to network with other executives in order to share ideas, offer communication about opportunities and support that can be useful during a job search.
How To Take The Pain Out Of Performance Reviews
The Painful Approach
Job Tips For The Frustrated Job Seeker
There is nothing more frustrating and depressing when you are out of work and trying to find a job and your job search is going no where. Don't feel bad, you are not alone and there is a good reason why searching for a new job can be so difficult. There is no doubt the job market has changed. 30 years ago when I applied for my first job I remember answering an ad in the paper, calling and speaking to a real person, going in for the interview, filling out a application, had the interview and was offered the $3.75 and hour shipping job. Things are not that simple today. Back then there was no voice mail, no email, you mailed in a typed resume, who had a fax at home? You called and talked to a real person. You may of filled out a application but not the dozen forms you need to today. And you never had to prove you were legally allowed to work in the United States.
What A Former Stay At Home Mom Knows About Creating A Stunning Resume That You Dont
Recently I was asked to touch up a friend's resume. Her challenge was simple. She was a stay-at-home mom who had not worked in four years. A difficult task however, with the information in this section, I generated a listing of skills she did not know she had. Here is a partial list.
(Organized, patient, detail oriented, energetic, ability to multitask, works well under pressure and capable of meeting deadlines) Now ask yourself, what company would not want their new employee to showcase these skills?
To Get Hired or Get Promoted, Attitude Is The Key
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what do you think is your most important asset? Your experience? Knowledge? Skill? Talent?
Four Job Interview Mistakes That Can Torpedo Your Chances of Success
What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns out there are four big ones. These four mistakes turn up repeatedly when executives responsible for hiring talk about the reasons why someone didn't get a job offer.
The Myths of Career Change
Chances are you already have many ideas about what it takes to successfully transition into a new career, even if you have never done it before. Some of those ideas might be useful ? most probably are not. In this article I would like to expose The Myths of Career Change, which might actually be holding you back.
Wishing and Hoping
Years after Disneyland was built, after the completion of Walt Disney World, the story goes that someone went up to Mike Vance, Creative Director for Walt Disney Studios and said, "Isn't it too bad Walt Disney didn't live to see this?" Without pausing, he replied, "But he did see it, that's why it's here."
Rejection Got You Down in the Job Search?
REJECTION IN THE JOB SEARCH
What To Do
Ever had that perfect life when everything seems perfect yet you wanna die. I am in the situation where I have the perfect imperfect world. I have a daughter which might not be mine after 6 years of believing she is, I have a girlfriend who is so imperfect she is perfect for me. A son well he is only 8 months old and he seems to be the only perfect balance at the moment.
Make em READ Your Cover Letter Using This Killer Secret!
Got your attention? Great. That was my intention. Who wouldn't want to read on when the title promises a 'killer secret.'
What is Workers Compensation Fraud
What is Fraud
The Springtime of Your Career
Rick Jarow, author of Creating the Work You Love, introduced many of us to the notion of career seasons. When we're struggling with a career, we're most likely to think of winter. At some point a career change (or other transition) feels like being buried under a coat of ice, hibernating through long, dark days. Hopefully we learn to see the beauty of winter -- sun on the snow, clear air, the bare outlines of trees denied their leafy cover-ups.
Job Interviews -- What Your Pre-Interview Research Should Cover
When you go in for a job interview, you're not just a candidate seeking a job. You're a potential problem solver and contributor. To play that role effectively, you must be armed with the right kind of information. That's what pre-interview research is all about.
You Should Interview the Interviewer, Too
I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Wait a minute. Wouldn't that be somewhat presumptuous if I were to ask the interviewer questions?" No. The truth of the matter is they want to see that you have enough intelligence and business sense to ask questions requiring informative answers. Most human resource professionals and hiring managers believe having an applicant ask questions is one of the most important aspects of the interview. They are able to tell more about you by the questions you ask than the answers you give in response to their questions.
Looking for Work in All the Wrong Places
The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact information, do my research and send out my resume and cover letter, requesting an interview for a management or human resource position. I am listed with recruiters and staffing agencies and call them every week.
Seven Tips to a Job-Winning Interview
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time -- and go for it!
Reading the Want Ads--Not for Jobs--For Information
What? Want ads are where job announcements
are, not information!
Freelance Work: The Changing Face of Employment
The world sure is changing, and if you look at job employment you will see what I mean. Let's just go back to our grandparent's generation, even though I'm sure if we went back further we would see very different structures of work in the tribal periods of our history. Our grandparents usually found a skill, and then used that one skill to work for their whole career. An example is my grandfather who was a salesman for the same suit company for 44 years. There is nothing wrong with this. His job was secure; he knew there would be a superannuating fund when he retired, and that there would always be food on the table for his family. These days in the 21st century things have changed, and they are still changing rapidly as we speak.
Career Change: A Glittering Invitation To The Emotional Stalkers
As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as much as the trends actually favor it, just contemplating a shift is a glittering invitation to four emotional stalkers who love nothing better than to play a nasty game of team-tag at your personal expense. When you unmask these bandits -- even a little -- they begin to lose their emotional charge ? leaving you free to more fully explore the opportunities to re-invent yourself.
|
