Free Career and Job Search Advice

Chris · New User Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hello!

So, as a college senior (corporate communications major) I am well into the job research stage of the hunt. I feel I have a solid resume, adaptable cover letter and good writing samples from my internships. I'm just about to put together a portfolio, and I just don't know where to begin. I'm wondering what all should be included in a good professional portfolio or how I should organize everything that I've gathered. The first one I put together started to look like a scrap book, and I've heard that is NOT what it should look like. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to organize the specific tabs or have a good source/site with a how-to article? Is there anything I can include that would really impress an employer? I'll take any suggestions from fellow studnets as to how they complied thier own or the advice of peers who have seen many versions of portfolios in their day. Thanks in advance for your help!

lilo · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

Well...it depends...me for example, as a masterand in communication, have a portofolio, but to tell you hinest no employer has ever asked for it. My potofolio kind of follows the structure of the cv, I mean I have an "experience" section, where I've attached all my samples and accomplished projects, dimplomas of various congresses participations, voluntary work as an interpreter and hostess of different events...and then an "education section", where I have the diplomas at school and college, and the diplomas that certify my specializations (English based, computer certification, Cambridge, TOEFL etc.). My portofolio ofens having my cv up front.
Sure, as I told you, this may not be the proper way to structure it, I just mentioned what I have Smile

Robin · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:10 pm Post subject: Portfolio Article Might Help

My portfolio article here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Well-Produced-Career-Portfolios-Are-Replacing-CVs&id=67826 has headings that might be of help.

Popular these days is the online portfolio ... you give a prospective employer the URL and he/she can look it up on your hosted site.

Don't wait to be asked for your portfolio, provide a copy when you apply for a job or give it to the selection panel at interview.

If you'd like a copy of a template I provide students, email me at emujoe@gmail.com and I'll send you a copy.

julian · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 255 Career Advice: +2/-0

Hi, Robin, I would very much like a copy of that template, if possible. I'm gonna ask for permission in here first.
I read your article about portofolios and I must say I has a perspective on them, but, of course, it wasn't correct entirely and neither was it complete.
I'll be checking later for an eventual answer. Thanks in advance!

abhi · New User Joined: 11 Nov 2006 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

You might try the IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) to find out what they recommend go into your portfolio. They're a premier group in your field and a local chapter ought to give you good information. I admire your self-confidence in terms of having a solid resume and adaptable cover letter, when there seem to be about 300 responses average (or so I'm hearing) to each job opening. A good resume today needs to prove that you're better than everyone else, not just as good as them, and listing what you've done, no matter how well written, often doesn't contribute to that, so you may want to re-visit your resume again. As for cover letters, a stock cover letter doesn't buy you much in terms of putting your resume in the "Yes" pile, and you may want to think about what you've done that they want in their job description for content.
Wishing you good luck,

Chris · New User Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Career Advice: +0/-0

I have taken much of your advice listed on this question as well as the internship question. It was very helpful and hopefully it continues to prove benefitial as I continue to organize and determine my future.

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