You may be asking, “Why does my client need a portfolio? Isn’t a résumé enough to get a job?” A résumé helps a person get an interview. During the interview, presenting their skills in a customized career portfolio can help them get the job. Additionally, individuals who create their own career portfolio have a history of interviewing better and can document their value to get a raise or promotion. The career portfolio is a tool which helps build self-confidence by demonstrating what a person can do and giving them the ability to set goals to get it done.

The Career Portfolio is a process. The career portfolio is a structured document with specific parts, each which serves a purpose in career self-management. The career portfolio is designed to give a future or current employer proof of skills and abilities. A complete portfolio should include:

§      A Work Philosophy*

§      Career Goals*

§      A Résumé*

§      At Least Three Key Skill Areas of Work Samples*

§      Community Service

§      Degrees/Diplomas/Awards

§      Professional Memberships

§      References*

(The standard career portfolio should include all sections with an *)

The practice of collecting work samples and identifying the skills employers want will help individuals to identify their transferable skills. It also helps the client to see how each skill could be helpful in a new setting.

Work samples are the core part of a career portfolio. They are documents that prove a person has the skills and abilities they claim. But before clients can identify appropriate work samples they must explore and audit their skills. The end of chapter goal-setting activities will serve as a great place to survey potential skills, many of which may be classified as transferable. The Creating Your Career Portfolio Practical Exercises will help your clients identify and plan out work samples for potential use in their career portfolio.

Work samples can come from a variety of sources including a job, training and education, activities, and community service work.

Common Types of Work Samples
§    Documents created on the job §    Certificates, awards, certifications §    Pictures of events or projects §    Reports, handouts, presentations created §    Work or class projects §    Writing samples	§    Performance appraisals §    Team projects §    Letters listing what you have accomplished §    Thank you letters §    Letters of recommendation §    Skill sets – a list of specific skills that you have.

The best way to approach work samples is to have the client start collecting now and plan to sort the work samples later. Some samples may work “as collected,” others may need some further refinement. The type of work samples a client needs is based upon the type of position they are applying for in the workplace. The Department of Labor’s SCANS listing is a great generic list if the client does not know where to start. Additionally, the client may identify the skills a potential employer is looking for by checking job postings.

There are no “wrong answers” when it comes to measuring work samples. Criteria for evaluation and feedback have been set up in the assessment documents for each Practical Exercise, end of chapter goal- setting exercises in the Family Guide, and for the successful completion of the career portfolio.

Overall, the career portfolio process reinforces the life skill of planning and goal setting—both of which are key traits in successful individuals.

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