Portfolios are one of the newest tools applicants use in their job search. A portfolio is a selection of papers and projects representing your skills and achievements. Portfolios may include pictures of projects (e.g., a Construction Technology or Art class) or the actual project (e.g., a flier created with desktop publishing). A three-ring binder makes an excellent portfolio because it is easy to expand and update.
Portfolio Requirements
1. Cover Letter 5. Job Application Samples
2. Resume 6. Letters of Recommendation
3. Certificates & Awards 7. Career Cluster
4. School &
Community Activities 8. Writing Sample (5 Paragraph Essay)
1. The Cover Letter / Letter of Application is to inform the employer about yourself. Describe yourself, your personal attributes and explain why you are the best candidate for the job.
2. The Resume is to tell your interviewer about your past work history. It is a selected summary of significant facts about yourself. It is not intended to tell everything about you, only important facts that relate to that career.
3. You should try to include any certificates that you have received while in school. Try not to go back any further than your 7th grade year. Good certificates to include are; Student of the Month, Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, etc.
4. You should also include any certificates or awards that you have received from any clubs or community service activities that you have participated in. If you do not have any certificates you can also write a letter explaining what club or sport you were involved in. Explain what roll or position you played and how it has affected your life.
5. Complete any basic job application (completely) from any local business (Jack In The Box, McDonalds, Imperial County etc.) and place it in your portfolio.
6. Your Letters of Recommendation should be written by someone who is not related to you and is at lest 21 years old. You should ask someone that has known you on a personal basis for at lest two years. Have them focus on your strong points and why they feel that you are, or will be a hard, loyal and punctual worker.
7. The instructor will give the Career Cluster to you. Complete it as stated on the directions and place it in your portfolio.
8. Your Writing Sample should consist of a well written 5 paragraph essay. The topic is “What do you want to be/ do when you grow up?” (Have someone proofread the essay)