Everyone in the job market needs more than a resume to succeed in today's employment environment. The changes happening during this current economic downturn and the expansion of the global marketplace can have a tremendous effect on our careers. Since very few positions and industries are protected from the impact of these events, it's necessary to be as prepared as possible.
That's why the career portfolio has become a more than a helpful tool for job hunters; it's now a mandatory survival kit for anyone who works for a living. Even those in the labor force who feel some sense of job security need one. It takes planning just to stay competitive if you're ever interested in a job transfer, Soynut butter getting a promotion or making a complete career change.
If you've never considered having a career portfolio, now might be a good time to build one. Here's a checklist for the basics that should see you through everything from a new job search to an inevitable, unfortunate layoff:
A current resume that can be easily customized for several different positions. Having one resume with a narrow career focus can leave you scrambling to put one together if you ever need to act quickly. It should not only be current, but general enough to tailor to a variety of jobs without needing a complete revision.
A list of references with the names and current addresses and phone numbers of at least three to five people who can attest to your work experience, skills, character, or education. Again, a great list of references won't be much good if the people on the list can't be found. It's a good idea to stay in touch with your references at least once a year. It's also a good opportunity to network with them if you're back in the job market.
Work samples. That would be easy for a writer or graphic artist, but what if you're a customer service representative? That's when it's time to be creative. A spreadsheet with the number of customer calls you handled successfully in one day, a detailed job description, or a list of prominent companies whose accounts you service are a few ideas. The only caveat is to make sure you're not disclosing proprietary information.
Letters of reference. If at all possible, never leave an employer without asking for a written letter of reference, providing you left in good standing, of course. And always ask that it be written on company letterhead.
Transcripts. Many employers still ask for these, especially if you're a new graduate. Even though they may verify it with the institution or request a certified copy, you'll have it on hand at a moments notice.
Certifications or Certificates of Achievement. The same rules as transcripts apply to any awards, recognition of service or accomplishments. Every training class, tele-course, or seminar that is career-related should be included. Don't be embarrassed to show off a Red Cross workplace certification, either. CPR skills are valuable in every organization.
Military service papers, if applicable. Some companies specifically seek out candidates with former military service, especially in high security or law enforcement positions.
Those are only the basic components of a career portfolio. No two will ever look alike. However, it's a good start to staying ahead of the game. You never know when you might need it.
Maurisa Westbury is Chief Training Strategist for OnlineTraining2Go an e-learning solutions company specializing in providing computer based training via the Internet for individuals, small to medium sized businesses and the association market. OnlineTraining2Go offers an extensive catalog with over 2500 topics. The company also offers career coaching, FREE teleseminars and webinars related to career developement and personal growth. If you're ready to reinvent yourself, get noticed and move to the next level in your career get your FREE report on career advancement and success now HERE
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