A career portfolio is a collection of materials that provides visual evidence of an individual's accomplishments, qualifications, and potential. It represents one's abilities, skills, knowledge, qualities, and accomplishments through tangible items. Unlike a resume, a career portfolio provides a more comprehensive showcase of one's qualifications and experience. It can include work samples, references, awards, licenses, and documentation of education, activities, volunteering, and organizations. Properly organizing a career portfolio in a binder with tabs allows one to effectively communicate their qualifications and experience to potential employers during interviews.

1. CAREER
PORTFOLIO
Latonya R. Clark
Area Program Specialist, Illinois SCSEP

2. Can you think of a career & job
position where an individual must
have a portfolio?

4. What Is A Career Portfolio?
• A career portfolio is a visual representation of your
abilities, skills, capabilities, knowledge, qualities and it
represents your potential.
• Physically, it’s a collection of things- tangible materials-
that represent work-related events in your life.
• A portfolio provides “evidence” of your potential by
demonstrating what you accomplished in the past.
• Your career portfolio provides you with a convenient
place to keep records of your professional, personal and
educational documentation.

5. What can a career portfolio do for me?
• A career portfolio can help you prepare for
interviews
• Convince others of your skills, abilities and
qualities
• Helps you communicate clearly
• Showcase your skills
• Demonstrates the results of your work

6. What can a career portfolio do for me?
• Establish the habit of documenting your
accomplishments and results
• Access your own progress in your career
development
• Access your own progress in your career
development
• Evaluate the patterns in your own work
preferences and values

7. A PORTFOLIO IS NOT A RESUME!

8. What should go in a portfolio?
(Work-Related)
• Core Message
• Vision & Professional Goals
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Professional References
• Reference Letters
• Salary History
• Salary Requirements
• Accomplishments
• Awards
• Professionals Licenses
• Brochures & Flyers (samples)

9. What should go in a portfolio?
(Education)
• Diplomas, Degrees, Certificates & Licenses
• Transcripts
• Course Descriptions
• Awards
• Writing Samples
• Workshop & Conferences
• Certificates/ evidence of special training (military, private institute, business, etc.)

10. What should go in a portfolio?
(Activities/ Hobbies)
• Volunteer Activities (volunteer history)
• Organizations joined
• Awards
• Leadership positions held
• Hobbies or interest (time devoted to or photos)
• Public speaking/ presentations or performances

11. How to Create Your Portfolio
• Three ring binder
• Plastic sheet protectors for important documents
• Table of content tabs
• Pouches for additional samples (CD’s, photos or other bulky items)

12. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS &
CONCERNS