© MARC USA 2010 – All Rights Reserved Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work.

© MARC USA 2010 – All Rights Reserved

Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work

Portfolio Development

o What is a portfolio?

o Why do I need a portfolio?

o How do I get started?

o What should I put in my portfolio?

o What type of portfolio is right for me?

o Where can I get a portfolio?

o How do I present my portfolio?


What is a Portfolio?

o A portfolio is a showcase of your best work

o An organized collection of samples that presents both your personal and professional achievements

o Documents the scope and quality of your experience


Why Do I Need a Portfolio?

o A portfolio provides tangible evidence to an employer of your accomplishments, skills and abilities

o An interview should be equal parts “show & tell”• Your resume and letters of recommendation are your “tell”

• Your portfolio is your “show”

o The job market is competitive• A strong portfolio is a way to distinguish yourself

• Lacking a portfolio sends the message that you haven’t done any work that is relevant or worthy of being shown


How Do I Get Started?

o Identify work to be included

• Internships

• Coursework

• Volunteer Work

• Organizations / Extracurricular



o Choose pieces that will highlight your strengths

• Writing Ability

• Creativity

• Leadership

• Strategic Thinking

• Analytical Skills



o Locate and organize pieces

• Contact former employers, supervisors to ask for samples if you don’t already have them


What Should I Put in My Portfolio?

• Action Reports• Advertisements• Articles• Backgrounders• Booklets• Brochures• Case Studies• Charts & Graphs• Event Invitations • Fact Sheets • Flyers• Media Alerts

• Media Clippings• Media Plans• Newsletters• Packaging Samples• Posters• Presentations• Press Kits• Press Releases • Proposals • Research Topline Summaries • Timelines• Website Content / Layout


What Type of Portfolio is Right for Me?

o Two standard portfolio types:

• Hard Copy

• Digital


Hard Copy Portfolio Formats

o Spiral-Bound

o 3-Ring Binder

o Booklet

o Oversize

o Expanding File

o Folio / Briefcase


Hard Copy Portfolios

o Pros:

• Able to show pieces to actual size and scale (3D, die-cut, etc.)• No additional file modification/resizing needed • Employers can touch and feel samples during interview• Easiest format to present in an interview setting• Customizable – lots of options

o Cons:

• Difficult to share with employers prior to the interview• Not an effective “leave-behind”• Easy to include too much information


Digital Portfolio Formats

o PDF

o PowerPoint / KeyNote

o Apple iLife

o Blog

o Website

o Portfolio Community Site (i.e. CarbonMade, Shown’d)


Digital Portfolios

o Pros:• Demonstrates aptitude with current technology• Slow adoption – get ahead of the curve• Convenient way to organize all your work in one place• Allows employers to review your work before and after interviews

o Cons:• Requires a certain level of tech-savvy• Time intensive to develop• Requires electronic formats – file modifications often needed• Difficult to present during an interview • Has to be able to speak for itself


Where Can I Get a Portfolio?

o Hard Copy Portfolios• Art Supply Stores• Office Supply Stores• Bookstores • Levenger.com / FastPortfolio.com

o Digital Portfolios• CarbonMade.com (Example)• Shownd.com• Coroflot.com• Issuu.com• SquareSpace.com Average Cost: $20 – $200+


How Do I Present My Portfolio?

Before the Interview…

oPrepare your portfolios, both hard copy and digital• Acquire any samples you don’t already have• Convert any file types necessary for digital portfolio

oWhen applying for positions, include a link to your digital portfolio in your resume, cover letters and LinkedIn page



During the Interview…

oBring your hard copy portfolio to the interview

oAfter sharing your resume and answering any questions your interviewer may ask, offer to show your portfolio

oBe brief but thorough in your explanation of samples• Explain your role in the project• Discuss leadership and teamwork, if applicable• State results or feedback

oAnswer any questions the employer may have about your work



After the Interview…

oOffer to leave behind any samples the employer would like to review further

• Print-outs/CD of hard copy samples• Link to your digital portfolio

oSend your interviewer a thank-you note!


Other Portfolio Tips

o Prepare in Advance• You never know when an interview opportunity will arise• Your portfolio should reflect time and effort• Research portfolio types and decide which one is right for you

o Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!• A great portfolio with typos is a failure • Attention to detail is critical to employers

o Get a Professional Opinion• Ask an advisor, professor or former employer to critique your work• Show as many people as possible



Other Portfolio Tips

o Practice Your Presentation• Get your details right• Only include the information that is most relevant• Become comfortable with talking about your accomplishments

o Give Credit Where it is Due• Only claim work for which you were directly responsible• If it was a group project, be sure to point out your areas of contribution

o Only Show Your Best Work• Your time to present your credentials is limited• Choose projects that highlight the skills you can bring to the position

© MARC USA 2010 – All Rights Reserved Developing and Presenting Your Portfolio of Work.

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