Portfolio Planning
Begin the portfolio development process by planning your strategy. Effective planning in the early stages of development will let you customize the portfolio for a specific job or firm. It will help you collect and organize relevant materials. Planning at the beginning will reduce work and frustration in later stages of assembling a presentation portfolio.
Remember that it is essential to tailor your portfolio to your audience and purpose. Reviewers in business, industry and education will all examine your portfolio differently. Using an identical portfolio will not help you achieve the appropriate results.
Answering the guidelines listed under each of the bullets will help you plan your portfolio strategy:
Identify the purpose of the portfolio
- Will you use it for an employment interview?
- Will it be part of a graduate school or post-graduate study admission packet?
- Will you use it to initiate a career change?
- Will you use it for promotion or job expansion?
Identify the audience
- Who are they
- What do they do? How do they do it?
- What are they likely to learn about you?
Identify relevant characteristics
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Which of your strenths and skills do you want to showcase?
- What are the best ways to highlight your skills?