Being well prepared for a job interview is more important than ever. But the basics—like proper attire, professional and personal references, a short list of questions, etc.—are just the beginning. Today’s job seekers need to find a way to showcase their job skills, work experience and professional accomplishments, and outshine the competition.
A portfolio is an effective way of doing just that. In its simplest form, a portfolio highlights a candidate’s strengths, abilities, training and achievements, and offers potential employers proof of the candidate’s qualifications. When used during an interview, a portfolio becomes a powerful personal marketing tool.
Building a portfolio takes some time and effort, but for motivated job seekers willing to go the extra mile, the results are worthwhile. The first step is deciding on the format: print or electronic. For many people, a print portfolio is the easiest option. All that’s needed to get started are a three-ring binder and 10 to 20 plastic document sleeves.
Items typically found in a portfolio include:
• A résumé
• Letters of reference
• Examples of completed projects
• Outlines of proposed projects
• Writing samples
• Performance reviews
• Awards or commendations
• Proof of community involvement
• Proof of professional development
Each portfolio is as unique as the individual who created it. It’s a work in progress, changing in response to the candidate’s acquired experiences and developing career goals. But whether plain or elaborate, printed or electronic, the end result must be neat, organized and typo-free.
Knowing when and how to use a portfolio during an interview is as important as what is in it. Instead of handing the portfolio over at the beginning of the interview, a more effective approach is using the elements contained within it to answer the interviewer’s questions and to substantiate particular skills and qualifications relevant to the position. This technique, however, requires practice. Conducting mock interviews with a career development professional is an excellent way to get comfortable using a portfolio and achieve a polished delivery. Some job seekers create a “master” portfolio, as well as a duplicate to leave behind with the interviewer.
Portfolios aren’t the only way to stand out during an interview. Raymond Holmes, a GCDF known as the “Employment Doctor” who works at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development in Baltimore, recommends a technique he calls “walking the walk.” He suggests that candidates ask to walk through the area where they’ll be working because by asking the employer to take the walk, the job candidate creates the opportunity to demonstrate his or her skills and convince the employer he or she has the ability to be effective. For example, an individual interviewing for a retail sales position could offer merchandizing suggestions or marketing ideas and ask to be observed assisting a customer. According to Holmes, this show-don’t-tell strategy also enables the employer to get a fair assessment of the job candidate’s skills and abilities, and can be used in many occupations.
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