Portfolios

[admin2geeks]

t know though....



Also, I am at a loss as to "how" to present this information.



In a leather-bound thing like artist's use? So you can let them flip through and take it with you? Can I cheat and just use a black three ring? Or in a manila folder that you leave with them?



Okay last question, do recruiters need to see this information, before they have an offer for you?



Sorry for leaving another long post. I have an "interview" with a recruiter tomorrow. I am trying to physce myself up for having to re-tell my life story verbally and on paper multiple times. I have the additional misfortune of not having a photo id currently (stolen in CA just before my move, had to get a new birth certificate from VA which took 6 weeks during which I moved to WA. CA won't give me one unless I appear in person, and WA will take 6 weeks to send me one because I don't have a CA) so I will have to explain this to them. They tell me with ID I can start looking to temp within the week, I opted not to explain on the phone. However I get the vibe that I will be pressured to temp, and thus explain. I am worried they will think I a fruitcake, or not committed to finding a job. SO wish me as much luck as you care t spare, and let me know your thoughts on the portfolio issues I am curious to hear what the consensus is.



Thanks,

Bailey

 

[bethalize]

Dummying something up sounds a good way to go, although it may be time consuming. In my portfolio (not that I have needed it yet as the UK is quite behind) I have:

Examples of Word work - reports with tables, graphics, charts, tables of contents, indexes etc. Forms, both online and printed, mail merge documents with a data source. Macros, both the VB text and an example of what the macro does.

Examples of Excel work - tables, accounts, charts and graphs. I make sure I put in calculations, pivot tables and forms.

Powerpoint - a presentation with different sizes of slides, graphics, charts and graphs and animation for the electronic version. Handout sheets as well. I set the electronic one up to play automatically.

Access - sample database, with some queries and forms etc.

Other things I do - examples of graphic design and images, calendars and arranging meetings by using screen shots (alt-print screenand then paste into Word). HTML pages.

Flyers and tickets from events I have done.



With regards to the formatting, I would say that these items must be viewed with Micorosoft Office. I would also send a hard copy. It is doubtful if anyone would bother to access your floppy disk. You can always make it read-only or turn it into a PDF - everyone can read it, no one can change it.



I have my portfolio in a faux leather case with plastic pockets. I also take along a copy in a folder that they are welcome to keep. Most of them are happy to take that, or just flick through the main one.



I don't think anyone would turn you down for a job if you don't have a portfolio, but it's one of those value-added things that can help you edge just that little bit further ahead of the competition.



I think they will review it afterwards - why wouldn't they? They wouldn't need to see it before hand as you are being selected for interview on the basis of your cv and covering letter.



Hope this helps.

[andrea843]

I've been using a portfolio for years. (yeah even before it was popular) In cases of propriatary information, as it was being created, I Asked for permission to include a copy in my portfolio and was most often given it.  In the case of an elaborate FileMaker Pro database that I designed, I created screenshots, since the purpose of the exposure was to show my ability to create the product, not the information contained within the database.



I wouldn't include mundane work such as memo's and letters, only those things that are really "out of the box" as far as your skillset. Gee there's even a screenshot of this website in my current portfolio.  In addition, I've won some major awards and had some press exposure as well and this was an excellent place to showcase those, again with either one photo and caption, or screenshots.



Mine's kept in a simple leather binder, (Actually it's a converted 81/2 x 11 Daytimer that zips all the way around, is easy to flip thru and is organized by work type, for instance "Database Creation", "End User Manual Creation", "International Project Management",

"ISO" , "letters of Commendation and Reference", "Published works" ectera.



Keeping it simple is difficult when the very purpose of the thing is to blow your own horn, but I keep descriptions very short, for instance, a reduced picture of one of the end user manuals I wrote, with the following caption: "Authored end user manuals detailing the use of in house custom software for the use of The XYZ Company Egyptian Naval Project. August 1999."



I've had extremely positive results with mine, HR people took a minute to go thru it, even just a quick glance says to them "this gal's got LOTS of skills" which is, after all, what you're after. Often they tend to leaf thru it while you're interviewing, no, they don't absorb everything in it, but it's sure been a conversation starter, evoking questions about this project or that one.



My resume has been streamedlined and I have astericks next to those items which are included in the Portfolio, at the bottom of the resume, are two lines:



"extraordinary references available on request" and

*Example of this project contained in skills portfolio, available at interview."



It leaves with me too.  I never allow it to be copied, it's simply a tool for showcasing extraordinary abilities and doing so protects the propriatary information (some of which is Mine, so Im a bit touchy perhaps) which may or may not be contained within it.  When asked



"can we keep this?" My response is always "No, Im sorry, it's one of a kind, just like me!



In the case of electronic submission, I have a personal website set up with my resume and some information from my portfolio on it, as well as a document that can be sent as an attachment and also a link for download from the website.  



Many are leery of opening attachments but most often will visit a web environment if you keep the scripts that can send a firewall into palpitations to a minimum and again, keep it simple. No flashing gifs, no bells no whistles, unless you're after a web design job, and even then K.I.S.S. is still the motto du jour.



the ID thing is going to be a real Issue too, Federal law says that you must provide adequate proof of identity prior to hire.



I got my VA birth certificate in one day using an electronic service,  sure it cost a little more, but I had it by Fedex the following day and with that I was able to get SC ID.  Try a personal visit to the ID place, documents in tow and see if you can prevail upon them to at least do a picture Identification card. Additionally, those hole in the wall check cashing places in some states do ID, and with ANY kind of picture ID, your birth certificate and SS card you meet the ID requirements. If your SS Card is gone too, you can get a "statement of Application for replacement" from your local SS office which will satisfy the Federal I-9 requirements.



Im unclear as to whether you're visiting a recruiter or a temp agency, they are not the same thing, however temping is most often the way into a company these days.  Think about it like a 90 day test drive, where you have the freedom to tell the Agency, "gee ya know I just don't like this job, start looking for something else" without a negative impact on your resume, and the company has the ability to say, "gosh, you just don't quite meet our needs" all again, without a negative impact on your resume.



Since your employer is the Temp Agency, not the company to whom you've been assigned, you have a bit more freedom and can choose to take long or short term assignments, work when you want at what you want, and use the time to create a clear picture of what may have been preventing you from getting hired in the last couple of months of your job search.



Don't view it (temping) as a negative, view it as a foot in the door and take it from there. Many larger companies only hire from temp agencies now, giving them time to evaluate an employee without having to worry about letting one go who doesn't meet their needs.  They have the freedom to simply call the agency and say " Eh, not working for us, send us another one please" .  Sound unfair? well yes, in a way, however, at least you don't have the negative resume impact if you should be one of the one's culled from the herd (and it happens to all of us at some point in our careers)



If it's a recruiter you're seeing and not a Temp agency, then be clear on your expectations, the type of position you're after and the salary you require.  they get paid when you are placed, and you don't get placed until they find the right spot for you, though some recruiters will try to jam you into positions in order to realize their commission, most will try to find you the "right fit" in order to get and keep future business from a given company (and thus future comissions)

Good luck and let us know how it works out!



whew! long reply, sorry 'bout that    



Andrea in Chucktown

[admin2geeks]

I view temping as a positive - I did it for three years. However they require to see your DL, and currently that cannot be. I view having to explain that as a negative.

[disallusioned]

I agree with the previous posters - do not put mundane items in your portfolio and get permission to include specific items.  For an ID, again follow the suggestions.  There are many different avenues for getting a picture ID.  Besides it's always a good idea to have more than 1 picture ID.

[andrea843]

just a further note, Federal I-9 requirements do not require a DL, they require positive identification, what about Admins who don't drive? There's lots of them, the DL is not your obstacle, picutre ID in some form is.  

[admin2geeks]

My ENTIRE wallet was stolen. Including my student ID, my DL, and my socail security card. I could not obtain a new student of DL or even a picture ID, without my SS card. I could not obtain my SS card without my Birth Certificate. That took 6 weeks. Now CA will not issues me one unless I show up in person, and WA will issue me one, but they will not issue on the spot because I have no phto ID.



Essentially I have not existed for two months.

[mcbethers]

I've been using a portfolio for years myself.  Due to the type of work that I've done (writing and graphic designing), I'm currently using a 2in black binder that I stuck a graphically interesting sticker of my name on.  Everything that I keep in it is kept in page protectors.  I also got some index tabs and indexed the entire portfolio as if it was a report - that way, I show just the relevant parts to the interviewer.



I always use hard copies, and I always ask that I can keep a copy for my portfolio. And my portfolio NEVER leaves my sight when I bring it to interviews.  If there interested and have time, I'll show and explain why a particular item is significant to the job I'm applying for (or to demonstrate certain skills).