Career and Jobs

Job planning portfolios are like resumes on steroids. They are work related collections you put collectively to show your abilities, expertise and accomplishments. Job planning portfolios are particularly useful in drafting your resume and can be used as a marketing tool because they are solid evidence of your achievements.

Usually career planning portfolios have been used by creative artists, actors and photographers. But they can also be used by journalists, business people and anyone who can point to a record of accomplishments. Accomplishments can come from anywhere and do not have to be job related. Volunteer work can also be highlighted. Career planning portfolios have become so important to modern job applicants that many high schools and colleges require students to accumulate portfolios as a requirement for graduation.

What can career planning portfolios do for you?

• Exhibit what you have accomplished in previous jobs or assignments, or even as a volunteer.
• Showcase your skills and abilities.
• Give you extra confidence and serve as a reminder as you prepare for an interview.
• And the number one reason that many cite is to use it as a draft or starting point to putting together their resume.

What should be included in career planning portfolios? Of course, this depends on what skills, abilities and accomplishments you want to bring to the potential employer’s attention. Here are some ideas:

1. Educational transcripts
2. All diplomas, degrees and certificates
3. Letters of recommendation
4. Awards, bonuses and certificates of merit
5. Letters of commendation, letters of thanks (It’s a good idea while on the job to keep an file. Notes, emails, letters that reflect favorably on your abilities should all go into the file. Attach explanations as appropriate)
6. Newspaper clippings, pictures or magazine articles about your achievements
7. Professional licenses, registrations and certificates
8. Photographs
9. Work performance records and job evaluations
10. Programs and agendas from conventions or conferences you helped organize
11. And Work samples.

When you are assembling your career planning portfolio, you should keep in mind that portfolios must be flexible, and can be customized to suit the interview or employment situation. There are many options for wrapping. Some use photo albums or binders. Others prefer accordion folders. Some portfolios can be stored on disc. If you do use a CD, take your own laptop to the interview and be sure the battery is charged.

The difference between changing jobs and changing careers is that the experience and skills used in the old workplace may not suit the new. A career change can necessitate retraining and may be prompted by redundancy or personality change. The need to find a career that suits a worker’s personality determines the best jobs for career change.

For the best jobs for career change are those most suited to the worker’s interest and personality. To find the best jobs for career change then the worker needs to consider taking a psychometric test. This is a personality test designed to show the worker’s weaknesses and strengths. With the results to guide them, the client can assess which field of reference will best provide a career change for success.

The results of the psychometric test can offer the client a base from which they can look through career guides and Internet job networks. To find the best jobs for career change the worker may need to consider training and again the results of their test can show where their weaknesses lie. Doing courses that will enhance their strengths and build, a future skill base will enable the employee to find the best jobs for career change.

Jobs that need training outside the worker’s experience can still be considered when the relevant courses are available. Consider training as a pre requisite for finding the best jobs for career change. The worker can then look outside their present skills and resources. With a little thought and preparation, a study regime and course selection guide can see the worker facing a time of gaining new skills. The resulting achievement can make the difference to being able to apply for the best jobs for career change.

When the training has been done and the worker is sure they have the necessary requirements for finding the best jobs for career change, then the search begins in earnest. Finding jobs that fit the interest and skills of the worker can begin with going through job search sites and networks. Looking outside the usual fields, thinking outside the box and allowing dreams to guide the worker can help find the right job for them.

Once skills and jobs coincide then the worker has found the best jobs for career change for their individual needs. There is no need to limit the search, the most interesting jobs are often not listed, but found as a worker offers himself or herself for volunteer work in an industry or field. Companies often find their staff by employing people who show initiative and do not conform to the usual job seeking stereotype. By being an individual and going ahead with finding skills and training that suit the job, a worker might find the best jobs for career change are the ones they least expect.