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Soaring to Excellence 2004 > Teleconference 3 > Portfolio Basics

Portfolio
Basics

A portfolio is a tool for demonstrating your expertise in a subject area. It provides proof of your skills and abilities with work samples. It also helps you define your personal and professional goals.

  1. Elements of the LTA portfolio
  2. How to construct your portfolio
  3. Creating your personal documents
  4. When to use a portfolio
Elements of the LTA Portfolio
  • Personal Information
    a. Statement of confidentiality
    b. Work philosophy
    c. Goals
  • Current resume
  • Skill sets
  • Work samples
  • Other
How to Construct Your Portfolio
  • Set up your files.
  • Gather your documents (and start documenting your successes).
  • Visualize your portfolio—what is its purpose and who is your audience?
  • Create or update your personal information.
  • Make it look professional.
    a. Use a consistent layout.
    b. Edit for clarity.
    c. Spell-check and grammar check.
    d. Organize logically.
    e. Use page protectors for security.
    f. Use color-code tabs for easy navigation.
Creating Your Personal Documents
  • Include a statement of originality and confidentiality.
    “The contents of this portfolio belong to (your name) and may not be copied without permission. Some of the samples included are the property of the organization whose name appears on them. Permission has been granted for these to be used as a demonstration of my work.”
  • Define your work philosophy.
        a. What is your personal and professional outlook for your chosen         profession?
        b. How do you fit into the profession?
        c. How do you fit into your organization?
  • State your goals, considering:
        a. Where am I now?
        b. Where do I want to be in two years?
        c. Where do I want to be in five years and beyond?
        d.. How do my personal goals mesh with my professional goals?
When to Use a Portfolio
  • During performance evaluations
  • In interviews with educational counselors when returning to school
  • In interviews with career consultants to focus on transferable skills and experience
  • As a display at a job fair
  • During career development interviews with mentors, managers, or human resources personnel
  • During networking sessions at professional organizations
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