Portfolio Development
Robbyn T. Matthews, M.A.
Coordinator for Career Programs
Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Ohio University
Andrea Hickman, Graduate Assistant
What is a Career Portfolio?
A collection of documents and other
artifacts that people use to validate
claims they make about themselves.
- Satterthwaite & D’Orsi, The Career Portfolio Workbook
Purpose of a Portfolio
• To draw attention.
• Provides links to opportunities.
• Makes key intangibles tangible.
• Adds to credibility.
• Builds confidence.
Two Types
Master Portfolio
Targeted Portfolio
• Collection of
useful
documents
• Documents
specific to
position
• Personal
arsenal of
targeted
artifacts
• Well organized
• Can be as neat
as you want it.
• P.E.A.K.S.
PEAKS
• Personal Characteristics
• Experience
• Accomplishments
• Knowledge
• Skills
Keep PEAKS in mind
when collecting for
your Master Portfolio!
Master Portfolio
• Keep PEAKS in mind!
• Too much isn’t enough
• Make a note on missing key
documents
• Recent documents = More Powerful
Master Portfolio
• Kinds of documents
– Bio stats
– Targeted task skills
– People skills
– Learning skills
– Self-Management Skills
– Task accomplishments
– Community Service
Make a list of
documents to
keep track!
Targeted Portfolio
Document Selection
1.
Describe the opportunity you are
pursuing in realistic terms.
2.
Identify the P.E.A.K.S. that the
interviewer will consider desirable.
3.
Select the items the best demonstrate
how you have the desired P.E.A.K.S.
Targeted Portfolio
Document Selection – Step 1
• Look for a job description
• Get a realistic picture of the job (Web
site, annual report, etc.)
• Play detective (Ask people about the
industry: current employees, professors,
etc.)
• Do informational interviews
• Research as much as you can!
Targeted Portfolio
Document Selection – Step 2
• Begin with the interviewer in mind.
• Learn about the mindset of the
interviewer and what they are looking for.
• Listen for any P.E.A.K.S. during
interviews or while researching.
• Compile a list of the P.E.A.K.S. that would
be most useful.
Targeted Portfolio
Document Selection – Step 3
•
Think about providing documents that link your
experiences to the interviewer.
•
Provide documents that need no explanation and
ones that provide room for conversation.
•
Only include one or two extended documents.
•
Make sure the documents add to your credibility.
•
Include your most recent documents
•
Try to cover each of the P.E.A.K.S. categories
•
Do not include over twenty items in your targeted
portfolio
Targeted Portfolio
Organization
• Resume
• Personal Characteristics
• Experience
• Accomplishments
• Knowledge
• Skills
For COMS
• Goals
• Mission
Statement
• Skill Sets
• Letters of
Rec.
• Transcripts
• Volunteer
• Academic
Awards
• Copies of
diplomas,
certificates
• Positive
Performance
Reviews
• Thank Yous
• Promotion
announcement,
etc.
For COMS
• Writing
Samples
• Presentation
descriptions
• Consulting
• Speeches
• Flyers or
Brochures
• Video, DVD,
photos
• Articles
about you/
name is
mentioned
• Research
Conducted
For COMS
• List of
• Ask people
Published
you trust to
Articles
look over
your
• Presentation
materials!
Evaluations
• Electronic or • NO items of
personal
web site?
nature
Arizona State University West, Communication Studies,
“Creating a Professional Portfolio,” web site
Berry College, Communication Department, web site
Getting the Right Look
• Carrying Case
– Three-ring binder that can be zippered
shut.
– Color and material should reflect the
image you want to portray.
• Portfolio Items
–
–
–
–
–
Photocopy your documents
Size documents consistently
Color sells
Use sheet protectors
Store extra items behind displayed
documents
Sources
• Arizona State University West:
http://www.west.asu.edu/chs/comm/port
folio.htm
• Ball State University:
http://www.bsu.edu/commstudies/article
/0,,16720--,00.html
• Berry College:
http://www.berry.edu/academics/humani
ties/communication/portfolios.asp
• Satterthwaite, F., & D’Orsi, G. (2003).
The career portfolio workbook. New
York: McGraw-Hill
• University of Southern Indiana:
http://www.usi.edu/libarts/comm/intern.a
sp
Questions?