Portfolios
While your cover letter and resume are important pieces in your job search, you may want to create a job search portfolio to further enhance the presentation of your skills and accomplishments to an employer.
Portfolios are made up of items/work samples that demonstrate skills, abilities and personal traits. They can be organized/presented in binders or folders. Portfolios are usually prepared for interviews rather than to accompany a resume during the initial application for a job.
Make your portfolio as unique as you are, and be prepared to change your portfolio as you change. You will want to emphasize the new skills that you acquire through new experiences. Your portfolio may include:
- Resume - Chronological or Functional
- Personal narratives outlining your philosophy and learning experiences
- Letters of validation/recommendations
- Letters of thanks and appreciation
- Samples of work (depends upon type of work, i.e. reports, ads created, etc.)
- Photos of work (depends upon type of work, i.e. carving, painting, sewing, etc.)
- Video or audio tapes to demonstrate skills
- Positive work evaluation forms and memos from supervisors
- Job descriptions - records of attendance, sales, services performed
- Transcripts, diplomas, certificates, degrees, licenses
- Lists of courses and professional development
- Articles and/or newsletters in which your name/photo appears or you were involved
- Awards (for example, customer service, employee, and volunteer appreciation awards)
- Charts, brochures and reports you have created, or that show results of your work
- Agendas or programs featuring your name
- Surveys (i.e. customer surveys)
- Budgets (financial statements and annual reports reflecting your work)
Once your job search has ended and you find a job, there are things you can do to
make your working life successful.
Communication skills
Working well with others requires effective communication skills, which can be learned
on the job. Listening well to what is being said and asking for clarification when
necessary are two particularly important skills in the workplace.
People skills
Good people skills are essential in the workplace and take time to develop. Here
are a few pointers to get you started:
Practise patience. In the workplace,
you often have to depend on others to get the job done, just as others may have
to rely on you. The modern workplace relies on teamwork, so you need to stay calm
under pressure and respect your co-workers.
Learn to accept criticism. When your
supervisor hands something back to you for corrections, or suggests a different
way of doing something, don't get upset; constructive criticism is part of the learning
process.
Give others space to do their jobs.
Ask questions if you need to, but learn to trust in your own ability to make decisions.
When first training for a job, everyone will understand if you have questions about
how to do things. After you settle in, try to solve problems on your own before
going to your boss. That will show the employer and the other employees that you
have the resources and initiative to find things out for yourself.
Forgive the mistakes of others as well as your own.
Everyone has days when things don't go the right way. Being able to forgive yourself
and others when mistakes are made will make you a better team member.
Learning styles
When you start a new job, there is a lot to learn about the organization, your employer,
other employees and your position. That’s why it’s important to know
how you learn best. For example:
- Are you more likely to turn a computer on and start playing
with it, or would you read the manual first?
- Do you learn best by hearing about tasks, reading about tasks
or performing tasks?
Let your employer know how you learn best and ask for what you need if necessary.
It’s also important to look at how you can add different techniques
to your learning style, like slowing down before jumping into a task or asking someone
to show you how best to perform a task.
The power of knowledge
Knowledge gives you more choices. The more you learn, the more valuable you become
to employers. You may be able to apply for higher positions within your organization
or to transfer into another job with more responsibility.
