Building Your Skills Portfolio

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Building Your Skills Portfolio
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What is a Skills Portfolio?

• A Skills Portfolio is a collection of materials
  presented to demonstrate a persons skills,
  accomplishments, experience and attributes.
• A skills portfolio is NOT a resume substitute.

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Why create a Skills Portfolio?

• Skill awareness
• Relevance and Adaptability
• Record of acquisition
• Interview boost

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Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek

• 1. Communication Skills
• 2. Honesty/Integrity
• 3. Teamwork Skills
• 4. Interpersonal Skills
• 5. Strong Work Ethic
• 6. Motivation/Initiative
• 7. Flexibility/Adaptability
• 8. Analytical Skills
• 9. Computer Skills
• 10. Organizational Skills

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Do you have these qualities?

• Does a resume fully express these skills and
  qualities to an employer?
• Does a Skills Portfolio?
• Employers want EVIDENCE.

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Some Assembly Required

• You will need
• A three ring binder
• Awards
• Certificates
• Photos
• Writing Samples
• Evaluations, Recommendations
• Transcripts
• Creativity

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Some Assembly Required

• Cover Page
• Career Goal Statement
• Resume
• Skills

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Career Goal Statement

• Cornerstone of Skills Portfolio
• Concise and Specific
• Answers
• Why this career?
• What is your careers purpose?
• Avoids
• Ive always wanted to be a
• Cataloging achievements or lecturing

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Resume

• Come to Kick Start next week!
• Call or stop by Patterson 111 to schedule an
  appointment during office hours for a resume
  critique!

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Skills

• Skill Types
• Technical Skills
• Transferable Skills
• Skill Sources
• Work experience
• Life experience

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Transferable Skills

• Example Subheadings
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal Skills
• Creativity
• Leadership
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Organization

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Technical Skills

• Example Subheadings
• Technology
• Laboratory Skills
• Patient Care
• Animal Care
• Agriculture

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Skill Example - Communication

• A person proficient in communication
• Conveys ideas clearly and fluently
• Interprets information for others
• Teaches and advises
• Displays effective speaking skills such as active
  listening, summarizing, clarifying, and checking
  for understanding.

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Skill Example - Communication

• Reflection Questions
• Do you have experience giving presentations or as
  a debater?
• Do you have face-to-face customer service or
  advising experience?
• Have you taught or tutored?
• Are you comfortable using technology associated
  with presentations such as Powerpoint?

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Skill Example - Communication

• Sample Items to Include
• Photos of you presenting
• Evaluations of your presentations
• Thank you letters from groups to which you have
  made a presentation
• Slides from Powerpoint presentations

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The Interview

• Prepare beforehand
• STAR Method
• Focus on three key skills
• Accept rejection gracefully
• Professional appearance