Portfolios

What is a portfolio?

• A portfolio is usually a 3-ring binder containing your resume, references, transcripts, samples of your work and accomplishments, as well as other career-related information.
  
• A portfolio is a very helpful way to organize your academic and professional documentation and credentials.
  
• A portfolio increases your confidence during an interview, since you can refer to "proof" to support your answers to the interviewer's questions.

Typical Portfolio Elements

Portfolio Formats

• Hard Copy. Most common, usually a three-ring binder.
• Electronic Portfolio. The University of Minnesota's electronic portfolio system will allow you to post your resume, research, and other documents on your personal electronic portfolio. Look at https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jspfor more information. 
• Master Portfolio. A master portfolio is intended for your eyes only. It is a great way to organize academic, professional and personal items, and will be quite detailed.
• Targeted Portfolio. A targeted portfolio is intended specifically for a particular position for which you are interviewing, and probably limited to about ten to twenty pages of relevant information.
• Mini-Portfolio. A mini-portfolio will be copies of key pieces that you are willing to leave with a prospective employer.