How to Build a Great Portfolio

by the Professional Business Systems Department at Laurus College

Whatever your career path, there’s nothing more important than presenting yourself to a potential employer in a professional manner. Today’s job market is competitive and to get the job you want, you need to set yourself apart from the competition.

One of the best ways to impress a potential employer is to show up at the interview with a portfolio that not only represents your skills, but shows the quality of work you’re capable of producing. Putting together a portfolio takes more than just time and careful planning; it also means working on actual projects that you can add to your portfolio. The quandary, however, is how to go about building a portfolio when you’re just starting out.

Here are 3 tips to help you build a portfolio that you’ll not only be proud to share, but that will help you land the job you want:

Volunteer Your Skills: Many non-profit organizations lack the necessary funds to build websites and create marketing materials. By volunteering your services for a good cause, you’ll have professional portfolio pieces, build your professional network, and feel good about lending a hand to a good cause.

Make Your Assignments Count: Approach every one of your classroom assignments as if you were completing it for professional recognition. Let your instructors know that you’re putting in the extra effort to polish your work – they’ll be more than happy to offer their professional feedback and guidance.

Imitate What Grabs Your Attention: The saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” is still true. Seek out those examples that speak to you and your style – whether it’s a website, a well-designed presentation, or a newsletter, and use it to create something similar, but that showcases your own talents and skills. The passion that you feel when you’re drawn to a particular piece will come out in your own work.

Building a professional portfolio gives you an opportunity to fill it with work that you care about and that demonstrates your skills and expertise. By following these tips, you can build a portfolio that includes a variety of work while building a professional network and benefiting from the feedback and guidance of your instructors.

Melanie Bryant is a Professional Business Systems instructor at Laurus College.

I want to learn more about the Associate Degrees available through Laurus College