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Creating A Career Portfolio

Past performance is the best predictor of future performance, and a portfolio documents performance.

March 25, 2009 at 8:17PM

Graphic artists, writers and other "creative" types have long used portfolios to showcase their work. Now the idea is catching on for all types of job seekers, including healthcare professionals.

A career portfolio offers tangible evidence of professional skills, knowledge, education, expertise and contributions. "Past performance is the best predictor of future performance, and a portfolio documents performance," says Kristi Granacher, senior career counselor at Fairview Health Services.

Review Your Kudos

Creating an effective career portfolio takes time. Begin by reviewing your "kudos folder." That's where you file letters of commendation, e-mails praising your work or notes of appreciation.

The folder should also include tangible examples of your achievements, like the charter for the process improvement team you led or the brochure for a professional conference you helped organize.

Assess Yourself

Next review your work history, volunteer activities, expertise and education. Can you come up with eight to 10 accomplishments? What did you do to get these results? What was satisfying about them? How can you show these achievements in a tangible form?

Then think about your goals. Do you want to deepen your knowledge in your current clinical area? Enter a different area? Move into administration?

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Finally, analyze what an employer is looking for in an employee in your healthcare specialty.

Organize And Sort

Has your self-assessment revealed any "themes" like process improvement or project management? Use your resume, transcripts, commendations and other materials to help you identify skills sets.

Portfolio Elements

Every portfolio is unique. But all portfolios should have a title page and a table of contents. Many people also include a statement of their professional goal, mission or philosophy. You may also want to include:

  • Your résumé and references.
    • Transcripts, certification or national registration.
      • Sections outlining your skills in critical care, leadership, precepting, customer service, research or other areas.
        • Awards and recognition.
          • Professional affiliations.
            • Community involvement.

              During The Interview

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              Always know what's in your portfolio and where it is. Develop a rapport with the interviewer before showing your portfolio. Then when the interviewer asks a question, illustrate your answer with an example in your portfolio.

              Nancy Giguere is a freelance writer from St. Paul who has written about healthcare since 1995.

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              about the writer

              about the writer

              Nancy Giguere, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

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