Creating a Professional Portfolio

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Creating a Professional Portfolio

• Presented by
• Counselling Career Coaching,
• Student Affairs, Room 582C
• 416-415-5000 ext. 2107

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Workshop Objectives

• Learn what is a portfolio
• Purpose of a portfolio and advantages of having
  one
• Find out what can go in a portfolio
• The master vs. the sample portfolio
• Using your portfolio in a job interview

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What is a portfolio?It is a showcase which
demonstrates your

• Skills, abilities, and knowledge.
• Experience and training.
• Achievements and contributions.

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Why use a portfolio?

• In what situations would it help you?

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Group Exercise

• What are the benefits of having a portfolio?
• What are some things you can put in a portfolio?

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Why use a portfolio?Benefits include

• Expands on your résumé.
• Shows tangible proof of your skills.
• Keeps samples and documents in one place.
• Prompts your memory in interviews.
• More room for creativity.
• Easy to select examples for job interviews.

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What can go into a portfolio?

• Your résumé.
• Letters of reference/recommendation.
• Performance appraisals.
• Awards or certificates.
• Copies of diplomas or degrees.
• Evaluations from placements, co-op, or practicums

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What else can go into a portfolio?

• Samples of work brochures, flyers, pamphlets,
  reports, presentations.
• Articles you have published.
• A list of your professional associations or
  memberships.
• Copies of evaluations from workshops/speeches
  youve presented.

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The Master vs. Sample Portfolio

• Never leave your master portfolio with anyone.
• Prepare a sample portfolio to take with you to
  job interviews, performance appraisals, etc.
• Select relevant items from the master portfolio
  to put in the sample.

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Using your sample portfolio in an interview

• Wait until you are asked a question relevant to
  your skills or achievements to show your
  portfolio.
• BRIEFLY show only one or two items relevant to
  the question. Then close the portfolio.
• DO NOT allow the portfolio to take over the
  interview by reviewing every single item.
• Refer to the portfolio only once or twice during
  the interview (unless the interviewer asks to see
  more).
• At the conclusion of your interview, offer to
  leave the portfolio with the employer. Contact
  the employer a week or two later to arrange to
  pick it up.

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Acknowledge and validate your achievements and
skills

• Write down your three best skills and an example
  of a situation where you successfully
  demonstrated that skill.
• With a partner, brainstorm ideas of items you
  could put in your portfolio to validate those
  skills.

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Your shopping listTo prepare your portfolio, you
will need

• A good quality binder or case.
• One or two smaller binders for samples.
• Sheet protectors.
• Good quality paper for duplicating.
• Specialty items photo sheets, disk or CD ROM
  holders, etc.

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Putting It All Together

• Schedule a couple of hours.
• Collect all your materials and supplies.
• Put all documents in sheet protectors/ holders.
• Group related items together.
• Prepare dividers/tabs if necessary.
• Put everything together as a master portfolio.

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For more detailed information on preparing a
professional portfolio, visit the Counselling
Career Coaching web site at http//www.gbrownc.on
.ca/saffairs/stusucc/portfolio.aspx