build a powerful portfolio
How a Professional Portfolio Can Help You
- A professional portfolio containing organized samples of your work, accomplishments, awards and certificates is a valuable marketing tool.
- A portfolio allows you to present documentation demonstrating your credentials to prospective employers or consulting clients during interviews.
- A portfolio can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates by projecting a very professional business image.
Packaging Your Materials
To assemble your portfolio, package your documents in something that is easy to carry and will allow you to add or remove material as needed. A three-ring binder large enough to hold all of your material but compact enough to fit in a briefcase is a good choice. You may also want to use plastic page holders for each of the inserts in your binder to keep the material clean and neat to allow easy removal of pages without having to open the binder posts.
The consultant portfolio can give you a tremendous competitive advantage over IT consultants who do not have one by projecting a very professional business image. Be sure to keep your binder clean and organized, and remember to update it after completing each assignment. Be careful, however, not to include any items that may violate a confidentiality agreement you have signed with a client.
Choosing Your Portfolio Contents
- Begin with your current resume.
- Follow with a neatly formatted one-page list of all of your significant accomplishments on the job.
- Provide reference letters from past employers or colleagues.
- Incorporate hard copy examples of programs, LAN designs, database designs, architectures, business plans, project documentation, etc.
- Prepare soft copy samples or live demos of your programs on diskettes that you can leave behind with the interviewer.
- Add articles, write-ups, or newsletters you have been featured in or written yourself.
- Insert educational or training certificates, if possible.
- Include awards of achievement.
- Take care not to include any items that may violate a confidentiality agreement you have signed with any of your past employers or clients.
