Perfect portfolios—the ultimate tool to get the job you want and deserve
by John Trybus, IABC/Washington student member
You’ve found the ideal internship or job, applied, and have been lucky enough to get an interview. You’ve researched the organization and are prepared for those annoying, “what’s your biggest strength” questions.
But wait! How do you adequately relate your qualifications and show the interviewer that you are a skilled communicator? The answer: a perfect portfolio.
For communication professionals of all levels, it is no longer enough to have a good résumé. When it comes to the interview, a portfolio is an effective way to tangibly show what you are capable of producing. Instead of talking about that great public relations proposal you put together, include it in your portfolio and show why it is so great.
All portfolios, however, are not created equal, and it is not enough to have a few old and faded newspaper clippings in a manila folder. A good portfolio is your personal marketing tool that can tell a story about you as a worker.
I credit my portfolio with helping me obtain internship appointments at many prestigious organizations. I’ve worked hard to make my portfolio adequately reflect my strengths and talents and I have received countless compliments on the end result.
The structure and components of a perfect portfolio include:
- Biography—Write a one-page overview of yourself and be sure to include a picture. What makes you unique? How have you learned from your experiences? I call this the “about me” page.
- Résumé—Always include your most recent résumé.
- Letters of recommendation—Few job applications ask for letters of recommendation anymore. Any formal letters or accolades received from employers or co-workers belong in this section.
- Personal PR—Did your school newspaper write a story about an organization in which you’re involved? Include it here and show off.
- Writing samples—Being a good communicator means being a good writer, so include plenty of writing samples. Include your best examples of press releases, class work and articles.
Your portfolio should be divided into logical sections. Dividing it by each job you’ve had is one option, as is dividing it by themes such as media relations or schoolwork.
Add strategy documents, as well. It’s great to include a newspaper article that resulted from a successful pitch, but what was the plan behind that communication? Show an employer your thought process in addition to your results.
For a professional-looking presentation, I like to scan copies of relevant work samples and format them using design software such as Microsoft Publisher or Adobe InDesign. Both programs are available for a free 30-day trial from the Microsoft and Adobe web sites. The design of your portfolio is crucial because it sets the tone for you as a job candidate.
And, finally, remember that a portfolio is personal and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating one. Aim to create a whole package that can speak for you if needed, and always leave a copy of your perfect portfolio with the interviewer to review later.
About the author
John Trybus, a student at George Washington University, has held communication internships at the National Geographic Society, the White House, Powell Tate|Weber Shandwick and Zapwater Communications. He also operates JDT Public Relations, his own consultancy. He can be reached at JohnDTrybus@aol.com.
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