Developing and Presenting
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Your Portfolio of Work
October 6, 2009
© 2009 FSC Marketing Communications
Portfolio Development
• What is a portfolio?
• Why do I need a portfolio?
• How do I get started?
• What should I put in my portfolio?
• What type of portfolio is right for me?
• Where can I get a portfolio?
• How do I present my portfolio?
What is a portfolio?
• A portfolio is a showcase of your best work
• An organized collection of documentation that presents
both your personal and professional achievements
• Documents the scope and quality of your experience
Why do I need a portfolio?
• A portfolio provides tangible "evidence" to an employer of
your accomplishments, skills and abilities
• An interview should be equal parts “show & tell”
• Your resume and letters of recommendation are your “tell”
• Your portfolio is your “show”
• 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?
• Identify work to be included
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Internships
Coursework
Volunteer work
Extracurricular
How do I get started?
• Choose pieces that will highlight your strengths
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Strong writing ability
Creativity
Leadership
Strategic thinking
Analytical skills
How do I get started?
• 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?
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Action Reports
Advertisements
Articles
Backgrounders
Booklets
Brochures
Case Histories
Charts and Graphs
Event Invitations
Event Write-ups
Fact Sheets
Flyers
Media Alerts
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Media Clippings
Media Plans
News Stories
Newsletters
Packaging Samples
Posters
Presentations
Press Kits
Press Releases
Proposals
Research Topline Summaries
Timelines
Website Copy/Layouts
What type of portfolio is right for me?
Two standard portfolio types:
• Hard Copy
• Digital
Hard Copy Portfolio Formats
• Spiral-Bound
• 3-Ring Binder
• Booklet
• Oversize
• Expanding File
• Folio / Briefcase
Hard Copy Portfolios
Pros:
• Able to show pieces to actual size and scale
(3D, die-cut, oversize, etc.)
• No additional file modification/resizing needed
• Employers can touch and feel items during interview
• Easiest format to present in an interview setting
• Customizable – lots of options
Cons:
• Difficult to share with employers prior to the interview
• Not an effective “leave behind”
• Easy to include too much information
Digital Portfolio Formats
• PDF
• Powerpoint
• Online Document Viewer
– CarbonMade.com (sample link)
– Issuu.com (sample link)
• Social Media
– Facebook
– LinkedIn
– Blogs
• Website
– TemplateMonster.com
Digital Portfolios
Pros:
• Demonstrates aptitude with current technology
• Allows employers to review your work before and
after interviews
• Convenient way to organize your work in one place
Cons:
• Requires a certain level of tech savvy
• Time intensive to develop
• Requires samples in electronic format
• File modifications often needed (JPEG, PDF, Flash)
• Difficult to present during an interview
• Has to be able to speak for itself
• Some templates are expensive, not user-friendly
Where can I get a portfolio?
Hard Copy Portfolios
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Art Supply Stores
Office Supply Stores (Office Max, Staples, etc.)
FedEx/Kinkos
Bookstores
Levenger.com
Digital Portfolios
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CarbonMade.com
Issuu.com
TemplateMonster.com
BigBlackBag.com
Average Cost: $20 – $200+
How do I present my portfolio?
Before the Interview
• Prepare your portfolios, both hard copy and digital
– Acquire any samples you don’t already have
– Convert any file types necessary for digital portfolio
• When applying for positions, include a link to your digital
portfolio in your resume, cover letters and LinkedIn page
How do I present my portfolio?
During the Interview
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Bring your hard copy portfolio to the interview appointment
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After sharing your resume and answering any questions
your interviewer may ask, offer to show your portfolio
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Be brief but thorough in your explanation of your samples
– Explain your role in the project
– Discuss leadership and teamwork, if applicable
– State results or feedback
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Answer any questions the employer may have about
your portfolio
How do I present my portfolio?
Following the Interview
• Offer to “leave behind” any samples the employer would
like to review further
– Print-outs / copies of hard copy samples
– Link to your digital work
• Send your interviewer a thank you note
Other Portfolio Tips
• Prepare in advance
– You never know when an interview opportunity will arise
– Your portfolio should reflect time and effort
– Research types of portfolios and decide which one is right for you
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!
– A great portfolio with typos is a failure
– Attention to detail is critical to employers
• Ask for a professional opinion
– Ask an advisor, professor or former employer to critique you work
– Show as many people as possible
Other Portfolio Tips
• Practice your presentation
– Get your details right
– Only include the samples and information that are most relevant
• 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
• 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
Presented by Nora Connor
Account Manager
FSC Marketing Communications
www.fscmc.comccount Manager
FSC Marketing Communications
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© 2009 FSC Marketing Communications