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This page reviews details about technical writing portfolios and will help you design your own. All technical communicators' careers can benefit from a well-constructed portfolio, whether they are just out of college or established in the field.
A technical writing portfolio is a collection of professional documents that demonstrates your technical communication skills. It will showcase your work and skills, including your abilities to:
Write, edit, and design different types of documents
Use different media and software applications
Interview, research, organize, and present information
You can use it before, during, and after an interview to sell your writing, editing, and design skills.
You will need effective marketing tools, and the portfolio provides them.
Your competition will have one.
It can provide much more information than a cover letter and resume can provide.
You should include samples of your technical writing work. Examples can include:
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Show range of samples and different types of documents rather than large samples. For large documents, provide excerpts. Portfolios usually include:
Introduction or title page
Table of Contents
Cover letter Business card Resume |
References, letters of
recommendation, and testimonials Mission statement
Excerpts Awards and certifications Evidence of participation in professional organizations
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You can be better off presenting no portfolio at all than presenting a portfolio that makes you look unskilled or even incompetent.
Don't show poor or mediocre examples.
Avoid college research papers unless they're related to the position.
Don't use proprietary information or client samples without permission.
You can format your portfolio in print or electronically. The format should be flexible to allow you to change samples. Consider whether you will leave the portfolio or take it home with you when choosing a format.
Print Format
Print portfolios can be placed in a quality binder or leather portfolio with rings, but should be attractive and professional. The back cover can contain pockets to include additional copies of your resume or other handouts (“giveaways”) interviewers can keep. You can also create different covers depending on the type of job you are seeking. If you have created online documents, print them out. Use quality white paper and clear crisp fonts. Some recommend that you use plastic covers for each two-page spread.
Electronic Format
Electronic portfolios include Adobe Acrobat PDF files, Web pages, and CD-ROM discs. Online portfolios are useful for displaying online work and make it easy for anyone to view your samples, but they should be easy to download.
A CD-ROM
Can hold more information
Costs less to produce
Is easier to carry
Allows you to distribute it to clients
To make a CD-ROM, you will need a CD-R drive and a scanner for when a file isn't available. It should not require a specific operating system or software. Files on a CD-ROM should be in the following formats:
Adobe Acrobat HTML Postscript PowerPoint Windows help files Word Create a title page or opening screen that introduces the portfolio and contains links to the files. Provide an easy way to navigate. Print a CD label for the disc and case that provides your name, contact information, and instructions for opening the CD.
Include section dividers (made from cover stock) and/or tabs. Clearly label each sample. Organize the samples in the order of skills you want to showcase, chronologically (most recent to earliest), by company, by content, type of document, or type of writing (e.g. editing, online help, desktop publishing, feature articles, etc.). Another method of organization is by the type of file: printed documents, electronic documents (e.g. Web pages or help files), and presentations (e.g. PowerPoint slides). In selecting an organization, consider how easy it will be to update.
Label and introduce each sample to provide background and context, including
title
description
instructor or supervisor
date completed and time frame
objectives, purpose
intended audience
your contributions and whether it was a team or individual project
software/hardware used
feedback/comments
results, special features
any challenges (e.g. budget, time constraints)
notes (description of what is on various pages, omissions, etc.)
Use an attractive, consistent page design for these pages.
There are two options for presenting your portfolio. You can
Deliver the printed version in advance of the interview so the interviewer can review it.
Present the portfolio during the interview.
Reference an electronic portfolio on your resume so potential employers can use it during the screening process.
Be prepared to present and discuss the documents. Some recommend having extra samples and resumes to leave after the interview.