Increase Your Chances of Getting That Job With This Tool!

Graphic artists have one. Authors have one. Painters have one. Sculptors have one. Do YOU have one?  (We’re talking, of course, about a portfolio!)  A ha: what’s that, you ask?

It is a job hunting tool that provides an employer with a complete picture of you as a person and a professional.  It highlights your experience, education and accomplishments by providing samples of projects you’ve done, memos you’ve written and studies you have conducted. You’ll also want to include any advertising brochures or promotional fliers you’ve created.

Think of it as a giant scrapbook into which you put your most important achievements to show your family and friends. Even if the employer only flips through the pages, during the 60 seconds he is doing so, you are already a horse of a different color. Your other competitors aren’t likely to go to this much trouble.

You’ll want to make your portfolio as attractive as possible. Separate your work into categories, and include a couple of descriptive sentences at the top of each document, describing what it was and its importance to your previous company. (A word of caution, however: be sure to sanitize parts that are company-specific or proprietary in any way.)

You’ll want to create a table of contents at the beginning so that your reader may scan through it briefly to identify items of interest. Using page protectors to house your documents, insert dividers for each section.  Make sure you have a section for any certificates, awards or honors you’ve received and be sure to include copies of your transcripts, degrees and professional licenses.

It’s also a good idea to incorporate any letters of commendation you may have or testimonials you’ve received from clients, customers, colleagues, previous employers and so on. It would also be appropriate to include the names, telephone numbers and contract information for people that can vouch for you and your work product.

Once you’ve prepared your portfolio, it’s easy to keep it up to date.  As you complete new projects or articles, remove the earlier ones, replacing these with more up-to-date  items..

While a portfolio may not necessarily get you the job of your dreams, it sure gives you a fighting chance!