For many job applicants, a résumé can’t tell the full story. Instead, a portfolio, or samples of your work, may better showcase your skills and abilities. In the past, portfolios were used mostly by candidates for artistic positions such as graphic design. However, more and more careers are lending themselves to portfolios, especially as an increasing number of job seekers look for ways to accentuate their transferable skills. This is especially the case for career-changers.
For careers that don’t obviously lend themselves towards a portfolio, think outside of the box. A manager might include statistics on how she improved a department’s efficiency or revenue stream or documented results of a large project she lead. A computer programmer might highlight programs that he designed. Don’t limit yourself to projects documented on paper, either. Consider videos or PowerPoint presentations you may have created.
You can be equally imaginative when considering how to present your portfolio. Printed documents or burning projects to a CD are options, but the latest trend is for professionals to use personal websites as a way to display their portfolios. Of course, use caution here when it comes to proprietary or confidential information.
