Portfolios showcase your creative and professional talent in a much more extensive and elaborate way than a resume. While the elements you need to include in a portfolio mostly depend on your field of experience, there are some ground rules that apply to most cases. Here's what you need to know about the portfolio you need to create.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Portfolio Basics
Step 1. Include a table of contents. Portfolios are large and extensive collections that showcase your skills in doing a certain type of work
Including a table of contents will make it easier for employees, executives or clients to view your work and immediately access the information they need.
- Create your table of contents after you have finished your portfolio, but include the list before the other material.
- There is no need to list the number of pages if they are not included in the portfolio, but if you decide to number the pages of your portfolio, list the numbers on the table of contents.
Step 2. Submit a traditional CV
It is always wise to have a resume on hand, in case someone prefers it to the portfolio. Within your portfolio, a standard one- or two-page resume can serve as a quick summary or summary of what's going on.
- Include your contact information at the top of the page, including your email address, phone number, and home address.
- List the major milestones you have achieved in your career or studies.
- List your academic credentials, including your degree and certifications.
- Describe your work experiences.
Step 3. Describe your goals with a personal statement
On a separate page, write a paragraph detailing your short and long term goals.
- For short-term goals, describe where you see yourself in a year or two.
- For long-term goals, explain what you would like to do in 5 to 10 years.
- Your personal statement should include information on what values guide you in terms of work ethic, creativity, management, and so on.
Step 4. Describe your skills and experiences in more detail
Think about which skills are most likely required. List them in large print and give examples of how you can meet these requests.
- List all jobs that required the use of a certain mentioned skill. Briefly explain which tasks or assignments they helped develop, or otherwise made use of that particular skill.
- List the character traits that represent that ability and provide specific examples.
- Also list anything you have learned, officially or unofficially, that involves the use or existence of the skill in question.
Step 5. Include examples
Notice how the types of examples you include will appear based on the nature of your portfolio and field of interest.
- In the field of graphic arts and the like, you will need to include images of your works.
- In the field of writing and the like, you will need to include text examples.
- You can include prints, DVDs, videos, and other multimedia examples as appropriate.
Step 6. Add references and testimonials
Include photocopies of recommendations or positive reviews received from different sources and related to your field.
- You can include references from clients, employees, colleagues, professors, or reviewers.
- You can also include ratings from other customers, especially if they are particularly positive.
Step 7. Make a list of any awards and accolades
Include a list of the awards, honors, or scholarships you have received in your industry.
- If you have received certificates for these awards, please include a photocopy with your portfolio as proof.
- If you don't have a certificate, simply list the title of the award, when you received it, and why you won it or what the award was for.
Step 8. Describe the conferences, related to the field of interest, that you attended
If you have attended conferences or workshops related to that sector, make a list on a separate page. Include when the conference took place, where, and the organization that promoted it.
- Make a special mention for any conference or convention you attended as a speaker.
- Also list those you have only witnessed.
Step 9. Mention your academic credentials
Your academic credentials usually deepen the knowledge gained during the higher levels of education.
- List your degrees, licenses, and certifications.
- Also add an official transcript if possible or a list of the most relevant courses.
Step 10. Provide documented evidence of achievement
If any articles have been written about your achievement, include the copy in your portfolio.
National newspapers and major newspapers are the most effective sources, but you may also include articles written in local newspapers, academic institutions, or taken from the Internet
Step 11. Include your military credentials
If you have done military service, provide copies of your registration documents.
Include information about any honors, insignia, or rank advancement you have earned over the course of your military career
Step 12. Provide references
List professional and academic sources who will be able to testify about your skills and work if contacted.
- Choose wisely and ask everyone for permission before putting them on the list as a reference.
- Include your first and last name, professional position, e-mail address, postal address and telephone numbers. Also briefly indicate the type of professional relationship with you.
- A single page will suffice for references, and lists three to five people.
Part 2 of 4: Include Examples of Your Work
Step 1. Choose quality over quantity
Instead of overloading the portfolio by including a full list of past work, include only 15 to 20 examples of your highest quality work.
- Start with the examples requested by the organization you are sending the portfolio to. For example, if a prospect wants to see examples of advertising work for the music industry, include the examples you have before including any additional ones.
- Also include some examples that are less directly related to the field and that you are more proud of, even if they don't quite adhere to requests.
- Diversify the types of examples appropriately. If you are submitting a portfolio of writing works, it will need to include writing examples only. However, such examples can include a variety of genres, from news articles to blog posts, or short stories.
Step 2. Include photographs and photocopies rather than the originals
Your original works are too important to risk losing them when your portfolio changes hands. Take photographs of your work in three or two dimensions and photocopies of examples of written text.
- Use 35mm film or high quality digital prints.
- Show your work under perfect lighting and from different angles.
- If you include an article published in a newspaper, newspaper, or magazine, photocopy the cover and table of contents, as well as your article.
Step 3. Consider attaching digital examples
If you have a portfolio of web design, animation, or similar work that requires familiarity with digital material, burn a DVD with your examples rather than print screenshots.
To print copies of your portfolio, you will need to slip the DVD into a CD pocket and attach the pocket to your portfolio folder
Part 3 of 4: Final Touch
Step 1. Use a simple but effective design
One way to make your portfolio stand out is to give it an appropriate design.
- Be professional. Avoid cute or eye-catching clip art, or other unnecessary additions. They will only end up distracting from the portfolio view.
- A beautiful design doesn't have to be flashy. On the contrary, it should be pretty simple and straightforward. Include headings on all pages and keep the same font, size, and text color throughout your work. The secret to good design is intelligibility and consistency.
Step 2. Keep things in order
A good portfolio must be easy to consult. An easy-to-navigate portfolio will encourage the examiner to keep reading, while a messy portfolio will dissuade anyone from taking the time.
- For printed texts, organize your portfolio in a ring binder and divide labels between the different sections.
- For digital slide playback, include a title on each slide to indicate which section the information belongs to.
- For websites and blogs, separate each section by giving each their own webpage.
Step 3. Seek help reviewing your portfolio
Before submitting your portfolio, ask a professional to check it out and give you some pointers on areas that need improvement.
- You can ask college assistants, reliable employees, or field knowledge.
- Alternatively, you can also locate career counseling centers or workshops in your city and ask for help. Ask your local library, municipality or parish about inexpensive or free counseling services.
Step 4. Make digital copies in addition to the printed ones
A printed copy is essential, but digital copies can also come in handy.
- Digital copies, in the form of websites or blogs, are particularly useful. You can send your potential employers and clients a link to your digital portfolio, along with your cover letter.
- Also, having your portfolio in a specific place online will allow potential employers or clients to find you without you looking for them first.
Part 4 of 4: Specifications for Different Portfolio Types
Step 1. Create a portfolio based on your career.
While, on the one hand, there are different career types and specific portfolio elements depending on the professional sector, in general a career-based portfolio should be structured on an exposure of jobs consistent with the chosen sector.
Step 2. Create an Art Portfolio
When an artist builds his portfolio, you need to choose which works best showcase your skills.
- Create a graphic design portfolio. When building a portfolio with graphic design in mind, include only examples of graphic design work.
- Build a photographic portfolio. Seek through the collection of photographs to build a portfolio of photographs that illustrate expressive content and ideal aesthetics.
- Prepare an art school portfolio. If you decide to put together an art portfolio for the purpose of entering an art school, you will need to collect a variety of works that demonstrate the skills the art school expects.
Step 3. Create a culinary portfolio
In your culinary portfolio, include photographs of you at work, of your dishes, copies of menus you have created, and copies of recipes created by you.
Step 4. Put together a model portfolio
It should contain your most beautiful portraits.
- Build a model portfolio by studying poses used by other models.
- Make a portfolio for a baby model, taking professional photos in a variety of poses and attire. Update it continuously as the baby grows.
Step 5. Create an acting portfolio
This portfolio should include portraits, as well as a detailed list of your acting experiences and credentials, along with a list of theatrical or film works in which you have starred and the reviews you have received.
Step 6. Build a stylist portfolio
A designer portfolio should include photographs and drawings of your work as well as fabric swatches you have used.
Step 7. Put together a writer's portfolio
A writer's portfolio should include examples of your writing that demonstrate both your versatility as a writer and the fields you specialize in.
Step 8. Make a jewelry portfolio
As with designer portfolios, a jewelry portfolio should include detailed photos and drawings of your creations.
Step 9. Build a teaching portfolio
A teaching portfolio should include a list of credentials, as well as a student paper that is the result of an effective teaching method you apply.
Step 10. Create an interior design portfolio.
When you are looking for work as an interior designer, include detailed photographs of interior projects you have worked on in the past.
Step 11. Make a portfolio for the advertising industry
Make this kind of portfolio by including examples of past ad campaigns you've worked on.
Step 12. Learn more about the online portfolio
Online portfolios are easier to create using a blogging platform, especially if you have limited web design experience.
Step 13. Build a Finance Portfolio
The portfolios in the finance industry are very different from those that exhibit creative or professional skills.
- Build an equity portfolio or investment fund portfolio by diversifying and investing wisely.
- Create a portfolio of investment assets. Research various assets to determine which ones can make a profit.
- Build a gold investment portfolio by learning about the best ways to invest in gold and precious metals.
