Put yourself on the other side of the interview process. What would be helpful for you to see as evidence of your potential as an employee?

The process of creating a portfolio will be excellent preparation for your job hunt. Being able to say, “as you can see here in this section” will help you answer questions in a way that focuses the interview on your strengths. It also builds confidence in your own abilities before you get to the interview.

Tab indicators for the various sections of your portfolio will help you quickly find the supporting page. Portfolio pages will be visual reinforcement of what you are saying. Rarely will an interviewer sit down and read every page in the portfolio. Even if the employer doesn't get around to looking at it, the portfolio will have helped you to realize your own competencies.

A portfolio might include some of the following depending on what capabilities you want to demonstrate during the interview:

•  Lesson plans (see the book mentioned below for an outline of a teaching-portfolio model);

•  Sample documentation;

•  Samples of your work (writing, art, graphics, videos);

•  Copies of licenses, certifications, or transcripts;

•  Photos of projects;

•  Evaluations by others; and

•  Accomplishments on the job.

Be imaginative; make your portfolio attractive to look at.

For more detailed suggestions and outlines see, Portfolio Power: the new way to showcase all your job skills and experiences, by Martin Kimeldorf.

“More than a resume, a portfolio can be your best lifelong self-marketing tool!”

Applications

Even if you have submitted a resume and cover letter, it is likely that you will also be asked to complete an application. An application gathers uniform information on all candidates. The resume lets you highlight your specific strengths in the way that you want to be seen. An application may not allow you to show those strengths in the same way. There may be very little space on the application to show all the good things you are capable of. There may be questions on the application that if answered clearly may eliminate you from consideration. In such case you could say, “will discuss in interview.”

Complete the application. Do not write “see resume.” Read the directions carefully. Print where it says print. Be neat. Write legibly with an erasable pen or type. Some companies have applications on-line.

Write N/A (not applicable) if the question does not apply to you. Don't volunteer any negative information. Mention positives wherever you can fit them in.

Do not put a salary expected amount. Instead say “open,” “will discuss in interview,” or state a salary range that you would consider based on your research of similar jobs in the area. Leave a sensitive question blank.

These tips are based on a JIST video entitled Tips for Employment Applications and Tests . The video tells you how to highlight your strengths and how to address troublesome application questions such as those dealing with arrests, poor/no job history, being fired, seeming to be over/under qualified and others.

No One is Unemployable by D.L. Angel and E. E. Harney, published by WorkNet Publications, is another good resource.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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