Interview Portfolios

What is a Portfolio?

  • Portfolios serve as visual aids that add credibility and helps set you apart from other candidates, containing your resume, references, transcripts, samples of your work and accomplishments, as well as other career-related information.
  • A portfolio organizes your academic and professional documentation and credentials.
  • A portfolio increases your confidence during an interview. You can refer to “proof” and support your answers to the interviewer’s questions.
  • A portfolio is an especially useful tool for visual communicators.

Typical Elements:

  • Title Page Transcripts
  • Table of Contents Experience and Skills Examples
  • Confidentiality and Originality Statement
  • Achievements and Awards
  • Personal Mission Statement Community Service
  • Resume Professional Affiliations
  • References Writing Samples

Types of Portfolios:

  • Master Portfolio: a master portfolio is intended for your eyes only and can be used to create your final interview portfolio. It organizes all academic, professional and personal items in detail.
  • Targeted Portfolio: a targeted portfolio is intended specifically for a particular position and should be limited to about ten to twenty pages of relevant information.
  • Mini-Portfolio: a mini-portfolio consists of copies of key pieces that you are willing to leave with a prospective employer.

Benefits
Portfolios help you remember your accomplishments and also make you more prepared to interview. On the job, you can use a portfolio in performance reviews.

Using a Portfolio in an Interview
Refer to specific items to support your answers. You can use your portfolio to show examples of teamwork, creativity, problem solving, greatest accomplishments, honors and awards. Have copies of key pages you can leave with the employer (mini-portfolio

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