Slides from an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University webinar presented June 22, 2017 balled "How to Create a Career Enhancement Toolkit" with presenters Sandi Ohman and Arnold James. Shows how to use portfolio to help you land that new job.
4. Creating a Career Enhancement
Toolkit
PORTFOLIOS
Presented by:
Sandi Ohman, Assistant Director, Career Services, Daytona Beach
&
Arnold James, Assistant Director, Career Services, Worldwide
5. About Portfolios
• Historically used in professions that require visual proof of
abilities, accomplishments,and skills
– Journalists/Writers, Marketing/Advertising, Teachers, Nurses, Artists,
Architects, Graphic Designers, Photographers, and Models
• Job seeking tool that helps give employers a more thorough
picture of the candidate
• Gives credibility to the candidate’s abilities and skills
• Good interview preparation tool
• Makes a memorable impression and stand out during an interview
• Takes thought and time to design and create a good portfolio
6. Types of Portfolios
• Printed
– Used during a face-to-face interview
• Bound
– Prepared for a specific company and left behind
• Master vs. Targeted
• Video/Photographs
– Typically sent in as part of the application
– Ex: News Photographer: “…include a recent web link of your work”
• Online
– Examples: LinkedIn, Websites, PowerPoint presentations, and blogs
7. Using a Portfolio
• Control the portfolio; don't give the entire portfolio to the
interviewer
• Practice using the portfolio when answering interview questions
and to be familiar with items in the portfolio
• Provide copies of some of the items in the portfolio, to leave
behind when the interview has ended
• After creating it, keep it updated! Like a resume, it is always
changing as we change
• Portfolios can be used after you have your career position, for
validating raises and promotions, or proving skills for obtaining
new positions
8. Sections to Include
• Summary of goals, professional philosophy, or mission statement: a
description of who you are, what you stand for and what you want to do
• Index/Table of Contents
• Resume
• Address List: previous employers and previous residential addresses
• Skills and abilities: give a more detailed explanation than what is included
on a resume, explain special background, or experiences that contribute
to demonstrated success in specific area
• List of accomplishments
• Samples of work: papers, reports, projects, presentations, brochures,
designs
• Performance reviews: past/current jobs, class projects
9. Sections to Include
• Military information: discharge papers (DD-214), awards,
accomplishments, special training
• Letters of recommendation
• Reference list: three to five people (include name, title, address, phone
and e-mail). Make sure they are professional references, that can speak
about on-the-job strengths and abilities
• Transcripts, degrees, licenses, certifications
• Awards and honors
• Professional development activities: conferences and workshops
attended, presentations given, leadership positions held,
memberships/associations
• Extracurricular activities: volunteer work, clubs, sports, with a focus on
leadership roles and teaming opportunities
• Thank you cards
10. Start Preparing
Design is important – demonstrates organization, attention to
detail, and high-level of preparation
1. Make a list of what you want to include in your portfolio
2. Categorize the content into sections
3. Binder should be easy to use and visually appealing
4. Include:
- Page protectors
- Dividers with tabs that stick out past the page protectors
- Organizers - CD holder, Velcro folder, etc.
5. Use resume paper for printing important documents
12. Project Summary Sheets
• Summary of a project, skills used/learned, leadership
skills demonstrated, subject knowledge
• Include details about each project
– Title of the project
– Number of people in the group, your role
– Objective of the project
– Action taken, skills used, problems encountered,
challenges and resolutions
– Outcomes and/or drawings
• Helpful when reviewing past projects for an interview
• Leave a copy with interviewer
13. Project Title:
Individual/Group Project:
Role in Group Project:
Number of people:
Objective:
Actions Taken:
Outcomes:
Pictures/Diagrams (include on back side if
necessary)
Project Summary Sheet
Examples
14. • Write down items you want to include in your
portfolio
• Categorize items to develop your sections
• What projects do you want to include?
• Leadership/Activities/Volunteer Experiences
• What’s important for your career path?
Activity
15. • “I interned in Network Planning with a major US airline in 2014 and have used my internship portfolio
extensively since then, especially in my MBA classes. My MBA focus is Air Transportation and in almost
every class, my internship portfolio has been a great reference for class projects and
papers. In the workplace, my portfolio has been invaluable in regards to checking the corporate
branding of documents, etc, against my current workplace’s branding. I’m happy to have compiled my
binder years ago!”
• “… if you are trying to move laterally to a higher position in another department, a portfolio can help
make your case if you have something relevant to the new role in it, but you still have to done a
decent job in your current role because the hiring manager is inevitably going to reach out to your current
manager about you.”
• “Once on the job, what you did or didn't do will far outweigh what you have collected. At my company,
you formally submit a series of goals for the year. …… I do believe you should keep a portfolio,
however, for subsequent interviews, and as proof of work completed for certifications you'll
pursue later. For example, to earn the Project Management Professional Certification and Certified
Quality Auditor Certification, you need to show that you have been exercising the functions that the
certification recognizes for a number of hours BEFORE qualifying for the certification. Having a portfolio,
detailing the amount of hours spent on the project (this is important!) would prove very, very useful. I wish
I had done this. It takes a special level of discipline, but if you've got it, you've got a leg up!”
Alumni Feedback
16. Digital / ePortfolio
• Adam Markowitz, BS in Engineering from UC San Diego in 2008
• 4 years of papers, team projects, labs, fraternity volunteer work
• Job Potential and interview process reduced to a few bullet points and
GPA
• Created portfolio for interviews resulting in dream job of Aerospace
Engineer on NASA’s Space Shuttle Program
• Hiring manager indicated his portfolio proved his skills, passion, and
“great fit” for company
• Launched Portfolium – “portfolio + podium”
22. Summary
• Whether a printed or digital version, portfolios are beneficial to the
creator and the reviewer.
• Creating a portfolio is a productive activity for personal evaluation
of skills, accomplishments, and useful in the job search and on the
job.
• When creating a portfolio, be intentional, pay attention to the
details, and be prepared to talk about the content in the portfolio.
• Many examples and ideas online
Thank you for participating in today’s webinar.
Questions?
23. Join us for a Webinar+ Degree Briefing!
Thursday, June 29(1 week from today)
2 p.m. Eastern (USA)
Covering:
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
webinars.erau.edu
