A professional portfolio is a collection of work examples or other career related documents that serve as a “highlight reel” of your career achievements and skills. Having all the information you need to market yourself successfully is not only extremely helpful in your job search, but it will also help you stand out against other candidates.
What should you include?
It can be hard to know exactly what to include in your professional portfolio. We suggest you spend some time considering the industry in which you work in, or aspire to work in, and think about what will highlight your skills effectively. The information you include should be current, relevant, and applicable to the job you are applying for.
Resume
The most important information you should include is, you guessed it, your resume. Resumes with Results takes a different approach to resume writing and focuses on a skills-based resume. Therefore, having our team help craft your resume will cover both your professional achievements as well as the skills you possess that make you an ideal candidate.
Degrees, licences, and certifications
You will want to include your transcripts (applicable if you are a recent graduate), copies of your licenses or certificates, and any professional development certificates or further education you have earned throughout your education and/or career.
Recommendations and testimonials
Resumes with Results strongly advises to gather recommendations and letters of reference from those you have worked with. Never trust or rely on verbal references in today’s employment world.
Testimonials from other professionals speak volumes to your skills and work ethic and helps give hiring managers an overview of what to expect when they hire you. These documents should speak to your professional performance, and market your abilities through examples.
Work samples
Include samples of your work that display a wide range of skills. This will vary depending on your industry, so only include samples that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Examples of work can include writing samples, photographs, projects, and reports. If you have a link to a website which includes your work, add it here for easy access.
Awards and accomplishments
Do not be afraid to sell yourself and highlight your accomplishments. In this section, you may include academic honours, scholarships you have received or awards and achievements you have been bestowed throughout your professional career.
Again, it is important to include information that is applicable to the job you are applying for. You may need to adjust your portfolio depending on the position. Like your resume, your portfolio should cater to each position. Information should be well organized, visually appealing, and professional. Have someone (like us!) review and edit your documents prior to submission, to ensure you are putting your best foot forward.
Do you have a professional portfolio? Have you been considering building one, but are not sure where to start? We would love to help. Give our team a call today and let us get started!