Top Three Reasons to Use a Career Portfolio 

• Distinguish yourself from the competition
• Turn the interview into an offer
• Increase the salary offer by impressing the interviewer

Top Four Reasons to Have a Career Portfolio 

• Portfolios create an opportunity to stand out among candidates
• It’s tangible proof of your abilities
• It might help to get you promoted
• It can help you find the position that’s right for you!

What supplies do I need to get started? How do you put it together?

1. Purchase a high-quality, large (4") binder, preferably zippered with pockets, for keeping loose materials. Use acetate or plastic sleeves to display and protect your data.

2. Label and index materials by sections. Place similar materials together under a customized tab so that you can turn to that section easily in the course of a conversation with an interviewer.

3. Include academic course content skills documentation, i.e.; technical skills, computer skills, communication skills, math skills, etc.

4. Also include your "people skills" documentation, i.e.; strong listening and observation, persuasion, rapport building, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.

5. Don’t forget to include examples of critical thinking, problem solving, and initiative and self-management skills.

6. Your portfolio is ever changing and ongoing, and should be updated at least quarterly during all your years at the University. Toss out activities that you can replace with an improved, higher-level version, and check where you have gaps in information.

7. Start early in your college career to document your pre-professional experiences, including information about volunteering, internships, co-op, and part-time and summer-work experience so when the permanent job interviews or graduate school interviews begin, you will have everything put together to "stand out in the crowd."

• Résumé - A brief summary of your education, skills and experiences.
• Skill Areas - Tabbed sections containing information on your skills and experiences related to specific area such as Hospitality Management, Marketing, Computer Programming, etc.

• Letters of Recommendation - Letters of support or reference that verify your abilities in this skill area.
• Works in Progress - A brief list of works, activities, projects or efforts which are in the process of being completed.
• Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, or Awards - File copies of certifications, diplomas, licenses and degrees earned such as Chauffeur’s, Pilot’s, etc. (You never know when they might come in handy).

• Academic plan of study: A copy of your plan of study that lists courses you have taken to fulfill your degree.
• Faculty and employer biographies: Brief descriptions of the people whose signatures appear throughout the portfolio - who they are, and what they do.
• References: A list of people who can verify your character, academic record or employment history.
• Keep letters of nomination - letters nominating you for honors, academic organizations and awards.
• Include letters of commendation and thank-you letters from advisors, professors, and employers.
• Document professional or graduate school testing results.

• Add a section in your portfolio or disk for networking contacts - anyone you meet who might be a job resource. Add a brief note about the contact, their address and phone number.
• Add names of those graduating that you have met from classes and Organizations - they may be future employees/employers you can contact for informational interviews, internships and permanent jobs.

• Develop a condensed version of your portfolio to fit in your briefcase to take to the interview, along with your skill lists. Be sure it is one you would be willing to give permanently to the interviewer upon request.
• Mention that you have a portfolio in the reference section of your résumé and/or on your graduate/professional school applications, as well as in your cover letter.
• Have a faculty member, your advisor, and/or someone who knows you and your achievements well review and critique your portfolio periodically for presentation and content.
• If possible, network with employers in your field or a similar field and ask them to look over your portfolio. It could result in an unexpected source of future employment.

• Bring the condensed version of your portfolio with you to the interview and be prepared to present all the information within it to the interviewer(s)
• Announce at the beginning of your interview that you have a portfolio that you would like to present at some time during the interview.
• If you are unable to present it during the interview, begin the time allotted for questions by mentioning that while you do have questions you would first like to share your portfolio.
• If you have a full day of interviewing, present your portfolio at each session throughout the day leaving it with the head of the search committee, highest administrator or the Human Resource administrator at the end of day.