- What is a portfolio?
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- A collection of documents or works demonstrating your
capabilities to others.
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- It is a marketing tool you can use to set yourself apart from
other candidates.
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- It serves as an evaluation tool for identifying candidates who
are prepared and can show a long term interest in the field.
- Why should I create a
Portfolio?
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- To provide physical proof that you have the skills and
experiences to do an effective job.
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- A portfolio can illustrate your points during the
interview.
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- Employers are concerned about competencies and outcomes, a good
portfolio can help distinguish a highly effective candidate.
- How can I create my
portfolio?
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- Consider the position and what requirements, skills are
important. What does the interviewer want or need to know?
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- Critically select your samples. Choose what best highlights or
demonstrates your professional competencies.
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- Practice how you will convey the portfolio's contents and the
best order. Use captions or labels to identify and explain the
significance of an item.
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- Keep it current. Review your activities each semester, and
continually upgrade to the materials with the highest level of
achievements.
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- Check (and re-check) your portfolio for accuracy and neatness.
An error free portfolio shows competence and professionalism.
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- Ask your academic advisor or a Career Counselor to critique
your portfolio for content and presentation.
- How much should I
include?
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- The least amount possible, but still allowing you to
demonstrate your abilities.
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- Focus on tailoring your portfolio to the requirements of the
position.
- What could I include?
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- While most items will be in writing, non-written items such as
a video, photographs, or items on a CD can also be included.
All Students
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- Table of Contents, tabbed for easy reference.
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- Application documents: resume, transcripts, list of references,
and reference letters.
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- Performance assessment materials: internship or student
teaching evaluations; former employers' evaluations.
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- Letters of nomination (for honors, academic organizations, and
awards) and certificates representing academic awards/honors.
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- Letters of commendation or thank you notes from advisors,
professors, and employers.
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- Certificates for special training or professional development
workshops.
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- Test results (e.g., GRE, Praxis, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT).
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- Professional certificates or licenses (e.g., professional
teaching certificate).
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- Significant projects showing skills that are applicable to the
job for which you are interviewing (e.g., research, creative
projects, writing samples, presentations, technical drawings,
etc.).
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- Evidence of written and oral communication skills (e.g., class
papers, newsletters, articles, brochures, flyers, poems, outline of
presentations).
- Education Majors
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- Philosophy of Education statement.
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- Unsolicited letters from students, parents, fellow teachers,
and administrators.
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- Planning Strategies: unit plans; monthly, weekly, and daily
lesson plans; cooperative learning strategies.
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- Publications: learning activity packet, sample letters or
newsletters to parents, letters to students, creative handouts,
teaching tools, or educational resources.
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- Photographs of: bulletin boards; learning centers; children
involved in classroom activities; special school activities or
events that you coordinated or planned (e.g., field trips); you
working with students.
- How should I assemble my
materials?
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- We suggest using a three-ring binder with plastic sleeves and
pockets to protect important materials.
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- Arrange items by the most relevant information first.
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- Organize your materials into sections, with similar materials
grouped together in one section (e.g., application documents in one
section, photographs in another section, written materials in a
third section) with index tabs for ease of use.
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