The Career Portfolio: A Practical Job Search Tool
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Keywords
Career portfolio, performance appraisal, evidence of skills, evidence of abilities, electronic portfolio, work experience, marketing self, job search tool, interview preparation, credible documents, professional portfolio
Abstract
While resumes and interviews are a part of the typical process of obtaining a job, they are not the only tools that can be used. A career portfolio is a more complete tool. In the portfolio, the applicant includes a resume but adds evidence of abilities, knowledge, skills, and potential. These documents build credibility. A student who is graduating and seeking an entry-level position would likely include documents produced during academic coursework. Across a career, such documents would be replaced with projects completed on the job and with the permission of the employer. It can assist the individual demonstrate qualifications in a performance evaluation or for promotion. Thus, the career portfolio can be useful in obtaining an internship or entry-level position and throughout a career’s progression.