A Portfolio is Worth a Thousand Words

By Christopher Jones

Many job seekers assume the career portfolio is reserved for models and graphic designers. But, almost anyone can create a portfolio and use it to make an immediate and lasting impression on an interviewer.

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

Whenever you get a complimentary e-mail from your boss, print it out and save it.

(I started doing this when I was an intern at a Washington, D.C., newspaper, because I wanted to build a strong case for a promotion. It worked.)

Use these e-mails to begin assembling your portfolio. If you've been collecting them for a while, you won't be able to fit them all into your portfolio. That's perfectly fine; choose the strongest examples.

Business, Not Pleasure

Limit the contents of your portfolio to professional samples of your work.

Include only materials that relate directly to your ability to perform the job in question: Positive e-mail, letters of recommendation, etc.

If you're seeking a banking position, but enjoy writing science fiction stories on the side, it's probably best to leave those stories out of the portfolio.

Judging a Portfolio by Its Cover

When it comes to your portfolio, it's not only what you present but how you present it.

Drop a little cash on a nice-quality portfolio to house your papers.

You don't have to go for the most expensive model, but try not to go for the cheapest either. Avoid the traditional three-ring binder if at all possible.

Select a portfolio that will keep your documents free of stains, wrinkles and discoloration. A book with plastic sheet covers to house your papers is ideal.

Putting Your Portfolio to Work

A well-planned portfolio is another weapon in your interview arsenal.

Use it during an interview to back up your skills and experience. For example ...

"Yes, I do have experience teaching children with Attention Deficit Disorder. In fact, I have a letter from our school superintendent commending me on my work with these special-needs students," you say pointing to a letter in your portfolio.

Or ...

"I think my greatest strength is my ability to create order out of chaos. This was the initial phone directory for our company," you say, pointing to a messy, handwritten page in your portfolio. "This," you say, cleverly turning to a neat, typewritten page, "is the directory after I revised it."

Dramatic. Compelling. Professional. How will the other candidates be able to beat that?