iSchool Career Services Newsletter 11/26/2012

Career News

There will be career advising drop-in time this week on Thursday, 11/29, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm in MHG 370H.
Don’t forget to check iCareers! We get new jobs and internships there daily!

Career Tips

Need a Portfolio?

If you’re interested in creative work, such as web or application design and development, or user interface, you absolutely need a portfolio. If you’re in library science, a portfolio can be a great way to demonstrate your skills in ways that a resume can’t. And for anyone else, having an online collection of work samples is just a great idea. So how do you put together a great portfolio?

1. Show a breadth of work. If you have several projects to choose from, select those that show a variety of skills or areas of expertise. If you only have a couple of projects to include, then make sure you address various aspects of the project that you were involved in and provide samples that show a variety of steps within each project (and then do some extra work to get more work products under your belt!).

2. Provide context. Briefly describe the project, including the problem that needed to be addressed, in your description of the sample. Focus on HOW you did something, not just on what the outcome was.

3. Describe the skills. Include technologies, processes, or steps that you took to complete the item or product you are describing.

4. Include testimonials. Provide quotes or samples of feedback from the company, client, or professor on the project that demonstrate a positive regard for your work and the item you are showcasing.

5. Demonstrate complexity. Show someone how far you can go, include interactive sites or samples of products that demonstrate multiple steps and complex thought processes. Show diagrams of how you organized your thoughts or a complex process to demonstrate that you can take on difficult work.

6. Keep it simple. If you want to build your own site and have the skill and time, go for it! But keep it easy to navigate and clear to follow and minimize distraction on pages. Remember that how you put it together is a demonstration of your organizational and design sense as well! There are many pre-existing portfolio platforms you can use as well that will help you get started, including Squarespace, Behance, Carbonmade, and Portfoliobox are just some. And don’t forget about WordPress!

7. Update regularly. As your skills improve, take out some work and add in other pieces. Curate your portfolio collection based on feedback from informational interviews, or from the content of job descriptions that look appealing to you.

Don’t forget to make your contact details stand out clearly so people can contact you easily, and good luck!

Career Events This Week

Tue., November 27 | 3 – 4 pm

Successful Interviews

Wed., November 28 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Resumes, CVs, & Cover Letters

Thu., November 29 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Academic Careers: Job Talks

Thu., November 29 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Networking for Shy People (and Everyone)

Fri., November 30 | 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Job Search for International Students