"A person with a portfolio has a major advantage," says Kate Duttro, a career services coordinator at the University of Washington. Here's why: we may be hardwired to remember pictures and narratives, she explains.

"Anthropologists know that humans sat around the campfire telling stories long before they developed a system of written communication. If you've written a book and you show me the book cover, for instance--a visual image that tells a story--I will always think of you as being connected with that book."

Though it's a stereotype that technically oriented students are all introverts, most everyone feels a bit of social anxiety during a job hunt. A portfolio takes the focus off of you during an interview, says Kimeldorf, and "makes it easier--especially for shy people--to express their personality." Because it's a visual medium, a portfolio can "say" eloquently, what you may have a hard time putting into words, he adds.

What is a Career Portfolio, Exactly?

A black hard-case portfolio has been a standard part of an architect's uniform for ages--like a briefcase for an MBA or a doctor's bag for an MD. But a portfolio can be a powerful tool for engineers and computer professionals, too. It can be housed online in a digital format, or on a CD disc, or in a slide show, or even in a funky VideoMaster format. A work portfolio can be pretty much whatever helps you get an interview, a job offer, a wage raise or a promotion.
What type of portfolio is best for you? Cynthia L. Baron, associate director of the digital media programs and multimedia studies at Northeastern University in Boston says, "A person whose strongest skill is as a computer engineer shouldn't show an artist's portfolio. Unless you are a remarkably talented artist as well as a technical whiz you'll place yourself into the wrong competitive category.

Generally, an on-line portfolio--or a browser-based portfolio presented locally--is your best choice." Other portfolio specialists say there is no best way--it depends on the context. "I differentiate between an online portfolio and an interview portfolio [which may be the online version presented as a print-out]. An interview portfolio is easiest on paper," says Duttro, "otherwise you have to take a computer or find one."

If you decide to stick strictly to a digital format, be sure you avoid these common recruiter turn-offs, cautions Duttro:

• Hard-to-navigate Web site
• Slow-loading pages or graphics
• Anemic or untargeted content
• School-sponsored portfolio sites (too education-centric)
• Believing recruiters troll online for entry-level candidates (don't need to)
• Relying on recruiters to visit an online portfolio before the interview (no time to)

Start now to compile a collection of samples that you can pick and choose from for each interview. "Collect all the time that you're learning things, like how to create a database," says Duttro. "Also think about when you used your problem-solving abilities or creativity to make things work better. Then if you apply for a job that requires you to put together a database, say, you can open your portfolio and pull out an example. You can say, 'This was done as a project in class. My part of the project was ABC. We had one tricky problem and this is how we solved it. Here's what I did...'"

Make sure that collect items that you have confidence about, deep knowledge of, and that the tasks were ones you enjoyed doing. Otherwise, it's not an honest portrayal of you. What if you don't have many examples that illustrate skills or competencies that meet those three standards? If you're sure that you would be a good candidate for a job, go ahead and create an item that showcases your talent. "Show a spec job [project done 'on speculation,' without an assignment from a teacher or employer] that solves a problem you believe the company may want to solve," advises Kimeldorf.

Monica Nucciarone, a career specialist at Pierce College in Lakewood and Puyallup, Wash., advises students to pack a portfolio with "a thank-you note or two, awards, certificates, recommendation letters, emails, evaluations, and any other example of work created that shows competency." These pieces can be packaged with a title page, table of contents, six to 10 pages (each page with a title, graphic and narrative summary).

Many job applicants are hesitant to blow their own horn by including awards and accolades. But some recruiters now insist on such evidence, since they can't always get references from employers. Some companies, fearful of lawsuits, will only provide scanty verification--"Yes, she worked here from x date to y date, her job title was z, and she's eligible for re-hire."

So, if an applicant for a technical sales position claims to have been rated #1 in sales for a summer job, the recruiter may require proof. Some examples: a photo of the sales plaques hanging in the lobby, or an employee newsletter article about you, or the check stub that shows a big bonus for blowing your sales target out of the water. Don't think of yourself as immodest for including such flattering material; you're just being factual.

"Always include evidence of your ability to do the job in question," says Duttro. "If the testimonial letters and award certificates are relevant evidence of your ability to do the job in question, yes, include them."Say you've culled the best work from your portfolio collections - now make sure it's not too good.

Susan Emmons, professional practices instructor for University of Oregon recounts a time she sat on a scholarship committee. They were extremely impressed with a particular portfolio sample, but passed over that applicant for the scholarship. The rest of the portfolio didn't support the stellar sample, which was mediocre. They suspected that the work wasn't his own. Besides keeping the quality of samples consistent so that no one piece jumps out, another way to establish authenticity is to show your train of thought or progression during various phases of the project. If you show the initial rough sketches, then a CAD drawing, and finally a photo of the finished piece, for instance, it's easier to believe that you didn't crib someone else's design.

The Interview: Your Time to Shine

The best way to incorporate your portfolio into the interview is during the ordinary give-and-take of conversation. Some students, before actually pulling out their portfolio, are afraid that the interviewer won't want to see their samples or that their eyes will glaze over with boredom if they do. Not likely. "Present it [the portfolio], but not until a relevant question comes up. When it does, open it saying, "I have an example of that [skill being questioned]. Then show that page and tell the story of that skill while showing the relevant page. When finished, close the portfolio and wait for the next question," says Duttro.

If you decide to show an online portfolio during the interview, practice until your presentation is smooth as silk. Bring your own laptop, sure, but also call ahead to make logistical arrangements. (They may not have wi-fi or an easily accessible high-speed connection in the interview room, for instance.) Carry printed pieces as a back-up in case you run into a technical glitch with a digital portfolio.

Provide interviewers with a sneak peek, if they have the time and interest to preview your online portfolio. "If your interest is game design and you have a fully-functioning game or demo to show, showing it ahead of the interview (as a download...never as an attachment unless the interviewer requests it that way) gives people the chance to see how you think," says Baron.

There's no guarantee that even a full-blown printed or digital portfolio will make a powerful case for you. After all, the pages are still representational not actual touch-and-feel samples. Duttro recalls an out-of-work electrical engineer with special expertise in electric motors. "His outplacement consultant suggested that he take one of the really small motors along with him to interviews," she says. "When he took the motor out of his briefcase and set it on the desk, the hiring manager immediately put his hands on it. They started talking colleague to colleague--it changed the tone of the interview totally."

Make it Short and Sweet

"I once had a student who never seemed to be on anyone's short list," remembers Baron, "even though he was technically savvy and hard-working. He presented his portfolio to me, and I understood why. He tried to show everything he'd ever done. I suggested that he eliminate all but two or three projects, and get his presentation down to ten minutes. He grumbled but eventually agreed to try it. He starting getting callbacks, and soon landed a position. The moral: you have to respect an interviewer's time."

"Less is more," Kimeldorf concurs. "Better that you show two startling good samples than 10 samples that bore me." As evidence, he points to an engineer laid off from one paper mill and applying at the only other mill in town. He brought just two pieces of paper to his interview--before and after samples to show the manufacturing improvements he'd spearheaded. He got the job.

What to Include

One of the advantages of having a physical work portfolio is that you can drop it off before the interview. Be sure to show up in person at a time when the recruiter is likely to be there--early or late in the day is generally best. Ask to speak to the recruiter briefly before leaving your portfolio. (You'll likely get five minutes or so to introduce yourself and explain your interest in the position.) Do the same thing a few weeks later when you stop by to pick up your portfolio. You'll have a leg up over anonymous applicants who only mailed an application. Recruiters see so many applicants they have a hard time keeping them all straight. So seeing you and your portfolio twice (in addition to any interview) will make you unforgettable.One caveat: While it's nice to leave a portfolio behind, cautions Duttro, "never leave any of your originals. If you plan to leave it behind, get good color copies of any originals, but still make arrangements to return to pick up the copy."

It's Not Over Until it's Over...

"Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up," says Baron. "Always send a thank you email as soon after your interview as possible, with any URLs or additional info that the interviewer may have requested. Write it in advance and make sure that it is spell-checked so you can maintain a professional appearance." A link to an online sample or portfolio is also good leave-behind piece, and easy to share with others involved in the hiring decision, she adds.

Plan to keep in touch--even if you feel like a pest doing it--until you hear one way or the other. Showing that you're persistent (and consistent) could make all the difference.

But don't pin all your hopes on any one opening, either. Keep busy with interviews, even if they are just informational interviews. "Take your portfolio around to people in the industry and have them evaluate it," says Kimeldorf. "A portfolio is even better than a resume as a networking tool because it gives professional contacts (as well as friends, family, alumni, etc.) more to look at."

It's All in The Details!

Here are some portfolio items that will knock a recruiter's socks off:

• Diplomas and certificates (seminars and workshops, too)
• Academic transcripts
• College club and extracurricular activity memberships
• Published writing sample (newsletter article, etc.)
• Report on results of your informational interview research
• Calendar showing how you juggle school, work and other activities
• Testimonials (thank-you notes from customers or peers)
• Work evaluations from supervisors or peers
• Videotape of you giving a presentation before a large group
• Awards for sport, academic, job or hobby
• Syllabus from training program you created for co-workers
• Proof of effectiveness, say a chart of skyrocketing production on the job
• Budgetary planning or accounting for yourself or a club
• Published employee or student rankings (if you're at the top, of course)
• Student newspaper article about you or your project
• Photo of project team to illustrate a success story
• Chart showing successful membership drive or fundraiser
• Test results: commercial driver's exam to vocational aptitude screening
• Spec design for new product the hiring firm could add to offerings

Article by, Jebra Turner and courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com