Students: Career Planning: Portfolios

Portfolios & Electronic Portfolios

Once used only selectively in a relatively few professions, portfolios and electronic portfolios seem to be gaining increased interest from employers and job seekers. While some job search tools and techniques like the resume, networking, and interviewing are somewhat universal, the use of portfolios is still situational. In other words, it depends upon such variables as the industry or profession, the employer’s hiring processes, the job market at a given time and so on as to whether a portfolio will be useful directly in the job search. We think it is safe to say that usually, unless specifically requested by an employer, a portfolio will not be a part of the initial application and screening process. More conventional materials like the resume, cover letter, and/or job application are most often used in the initial selection process. However, when interviewing, working a job fair, networking, or simply keeping yourself current about your own qualifications and accomplishments, having a portfolio and the process of assembling and maintaining it can be of immense value.

Here are a few online resources. As with any linked resource, our office cannot guarantee the accuracy, availability, and usefulness for your purposes. However, these links may offer you a starting point to inform your own research online, in print media, and through informational interviews.

• Ball State University, Career Center: Professional Employment Portfolio 
• Florida State University, The Career Center: Portfolio Preparation Guide 
• Missouri State University, Career Center: Portfolios 
• Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, Career Services:Developing an Electronic Portfolio