[Jayman]

Most people know that in todays world, especially in software development, it is very desirable to have a portfolio put together that showcases your work to show prospective employers. I know I have been asked before during the interview if I had a portfolio and unfortunately I did not. Well currently I am on the hunt for a new job(in fact I have an interview next week with a well known software giant), so I decided I would put one together that showcases my skills and accomplishments.

I went out a bought a very elegant leather bound 3-ring binder portfolio, sheet protectors and some bright white quality paper. This weekend I plan on printing out projects that I have completed, that I think really showcase my skills. And put them together with the items from the following list.

Quote

• Resume
  
• Cover Letter
  
• Professional References
  
• Unofficial transcripts from school
  
• Course Descriptions from school
  
• Examples of work from each area of programming in my resume
  
• Awards / Honors
  
• Letters of Recommendation

What components do you have in your professional portfolio?
Is there something more that should be included that I may have missed?
Did you do anything special with your portfolio that makes it different from everyone else's?

[Nayana]

You don't have any celebrity endorsements :'(

[capty99]

i have a couple different ones ....
but for graphic design my intention is to put together a coffee table style book,

i have smaller versions eventually it will grow...
the first ten or so pages are here ....
http://tylerjameslee...blog/?page_id=4

then it comes with a regular resume.

[Nykc]

Thats a pretty good idea.

Jayman9 basically everything you mentioned works well. I would suggest also compiling a presentation to be handed out via CD, DVD, or Flash Drives. I know the past few interviews I had - I just provided links to my work/portfolio page.

But I think sending out a CD with sample works on it is sufficient as well.

[KYA]

It would depend on the position you are applying for.

If its a java developer slot (random example), showcasing C++ or C# skills may not come in handy

[PsychoCoder]

One of the things I used when working on the position I have now, keep in mind that my employer has never met me, was my "My Contributions" page here on DIC, along with my online portfolio at my website.

[no2pencil]

I have a (pressed) copy of software that we released. Host Stopper

[WolfCoder]

PsychoCoder, on 13 Mar, 2008 - 02:17 AM, said:

... was my "My Contributions" page here on DIC ...

Hehe, That's actually a good idea

I should probably make some CDs of WeaponSoul whenever it is I finish it even though it will be online for download.

[Nykc]

- Remember if the interviewer has to be hassled with downloading or looking to hard for something, more than likely they will pass you up for the next person. It is better to give them all the resources they need to complete the tasks. Also it is more professional and impressive.

Just my .02 cents.

[Martyr2]

My portfolio comes with a three pronged attack.... 1) Everything you mentioned there jayman with the letters or recommendations, awards etc 2) A showcase of completed "visual" work such as website designs, graphics, templating, layouts etc and 3) Written code and software for each of the languages I know.

Sometimes this leads to a pretty big portfolio, but I take it to interviews and when questions arise about a particular area, for example web site design, I can quickly flip into the portfolio and show them examples while talking about how I went about creating it. If they ask about my code experience, I can flip to that part of the portfolio quickly and show them by language what I have done.

Works out pretty nice. It also shows you are well rounded and the portfolio is versatile for just about any position you are looking to do.

[supersloth]

Resume,
Letters of Recommendation,
Work Samples (not code so much, but screen shots of working applications with about a paragraph on what each one does)
Awards, etc

[Jayman]

Martyr2, on 13 Mar, 2008 - 09:45 AM, said:

Sometimes this leads to a pretty big portfolio....

I would have to agree. My portfolio got big, very fast, with all the code, screenshots, and such for each of the different languages, plus all the other stuff I mentioned in the first post.

But it is so nice that when someone asks me about something I have done. I just pull it out and show all of my glory.

I should have done this a long time ago.

And the great thing is now that it is done, it is really easy to keep updated with newer projects and stuff.

[captainhampton]

It's nice to have all of that, however as with resumes they should be short and to the point, nothing more than a page for resume in my professional opinion.

[skyhawk133]

captainhampton, on 14 Mar, 2008 - 12:49 PM, said:

It's nice to have all of that, however as with resumes they should be short and to the point, nothing more than a page for resume in my professional opinion.

Disagree.

And unfortunately, your professional opinion doesn't extend beyond your high school career.

A portfolio should contain recommendations, awards, certifications, examples of work, etc. It should be a well organized binder of your career.

[Nykc]

Correct.

My English professor at the end of the year went over creating resumes when I took the class. His Resumes averaged 3 - 5 pages. They listed his awards, published works, recommendations, detailed job history, education, he even went as far as to list hobbies relevant to the job.

I think on the flip side, sometimes too large a portfolio can scare some businesses away, because they can't afford you.