Portfolio Writing for Semester 5 Students

Portfolio Writing for Semester 5 Students

• The portfolio is for Semester 5 students at ENCG Settat, University Hassan I, for the academic year 2024-2025.
• The portfolio covers writing skills for various professional documents.

Portfolio Writing Package - Session 2

• The portfolio includes writing examples like Cover Letters, Personal Statements, Statements of Purpose, About Me/Professional Profiles, and CV/Resumes.

On The Menu...

• Cover Letter: Purpose is to apply for jobs or internships. It introduces the applicant to the employer, highlighting experiences and interest in a specific role. The tone should be professional, focused on skills, experience, and the applicant's contribution to the company. The structure is brief (typically one page), directly addressing the employer and tailored to the specific job posting.
• Personal Statement: Commonly used for scholarships, university admissions, or specific programs. It showcases personal background, experiences, and motivations. The tone is reflective, personal, and often emotional, showing a unique story and qualities. The structure is a narrative focusing on personal experiences shaping goals and character.
• Statement of Purpose: Primarily used for graduate school or academic applications. It explains academic and career goals, reasons for interest in a program, and how it fits into future plans. The tone is formal, goal-oriented, and specific to the field of study or career. The structure focuses on academic and professional experiences with future aspirations, presented clearly and organized.
• About Me/Professional Profile: While professional, it can be more personal and narrative. Gives a fuller picture of the individual. Length can be longer than a resume summary (perhaps one full page). Includes background, skills, experiences, and ambitions. Content includes why the person pursued their chosen field, experiences shaping their aspirations, and long-term goals.

Key Points to Include

• Background: Education and key experiences leading to current status.
• Values and Goals: What drives the individual professionally, and long-term aspirations.
• Unique Selling Points: Relevant skills or experiences making the individual stand out in the field.
• Personal Touches: Personal interests, hobbies, or qualities outside of work.

Guidelines for Writing Sections

• Introduction and Current Status/Academic Background and Skillset: State field of study, passion, and key skills gained.
• Early Interests and Career Motivation: Describe how interest in the field developed.
• Relevant Academic/Project Experiences: Share project-based experiences and accomplishments.
• Internships and Real-World Experience: Highlight internships or professional experiences.
• Future Career Goals & Conclusion/Personal Mission: State career goals and summarize professional mission or long-term goals.
• Personal Interests and Extracurricular Activities: Mention hobbies or activities aligned with the career.

Task: Portfolio Writing

• Students should review their group's "About Me" writing based on professor feedback.
• Edit the writing and draft their own "About Me" section.
• Ensure it is ready for the portfolio.

CV/Resume Writing

• Resume vs. CV: A resume is a concise summary of experiences (typically one page), while a CV details academic experiences and is multiple pages.

Resume Content

• Header: Name, contact information (email, phone, LinkedIn)
• Professional Summary/Objective Statement: Concise statement of achievements, skills, and what the candidate brings to the role.
• Work Experience: How to describe roles, responsibilities, and achievements using action verbs and quantifiable results.
• Skills Section: Include hard and soft skills.
• Education: Education details, including specifics like the degree and coursework.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications (if applicable).
• Key Sections: Jobs, Internships, Extracurricular activities, and Volunteer experiences comprise the main sections of a resume.

Understanding Resume Types

• Chronological: Emphasizes work history.
• Functional: Focuses on skills and experiences.
• Combination/Hybrid: A mix of both.

Common Resume Mistakes

• Spelling and grammar errors
• Inconsistent formatting (font and size)
• Including irrelevant information
• Too much or too little text
• Lack of action words and quantifiable results
• Using a one-size-fits-all approach

Project and Experience Documentation

• Outline: Identify key projects and experiences, structure documentation, quantify achievements with action-oriented language, assess and reflect on skills.
• Step 1: List all projects, internships, volunteer roles, or part-time jobs. Prioritize experiences showcasing relevant skills.
• Step 2 (checklist): Is the experience relevant, is there clear achievement or learning, can the impact be described effectively, using data or metrics?
• Structuring: Example of job and responsibility description, skills used, achievements, results in clear sections, using action verbs and quantifiable results.
• Action-Oriented Language: Use strong verbs like "developed," "designed," "analyzed," "improved" to describe experiences, and include measurable results, such as "increased sales by 15%."

Quantifying Achievements

• Example of quantifying achievements - "Organized a campus event with over 100 attendees, a $5000 budget, with 3 local sponsors."
• Example quantifying achievements in a team setting - "Collaborated with a team of 4 classmates to develop a marketing strategy, leading to a 15% increase in brand awareness.”

Reflective Self-Assessment

• "What did you find challenging, and how did you overcome it?"
• "What would you do differently if you had to repeat this project?"
• "Through this experience, I learned..."
• "This project taught me the importance of..."
• "Working on this task gave me confidence in..."

Task: Crafting Resumes/Portfolios

• Review your "Resume" based on professor feedback.
• Edit your writing based on feedback.
• Draft a personal Resume.
• Ensure your portfolio is complete and error-free.

Certificates and Continuous Learning

• Value of certificates is enhanced employability, validated skills, and support for lifelong professional growth.
• Types of Certificates:
• Professional Certifications: Passing qualification/assessment, prerequisites (degree/experience), periodic renewal or continuing education.
• Completion Certificates: Focus on attendance and completion, often including course details or key topics.
• Industry-Recognized Credentials: Often digital/verifiable online, focus on specific industry skills, frequently required/preferred for specific roles.

Documenting Certificates and Visual Evidence

• Include certificates as attachments, links, or scanned copies.
• Write concise reflections on key takeaways and how learning applies to personal and professional goals.
• Use high-quality photos for presentations, team projects, voluntary work, and competitions. Include details like event name, date, and your role. Use storytelling to add context and impact.
• Display badges earned in groups, providing brief descriptions of the badge.

Roadmap: Learning and Career Objectives

• This outlines short-, mid-, and long-term career goals, creating a clear path for future development.

Portfolio Synopsis

• To effectively summarize your portfolio:
• Include a concise summary statement.
• Clearly show the purpose of each section.
• Detail the key parts of the portfolio.
• Clearly demonstrate the value of the overall portfolio content.

This quiz is designed for Semester 5 students at ENCG Settat, focusing on essential writing skills such as Cover Letters and Personal Statements. It aims to enhance students' ability to create professional documents that effectively convey their qualifications and aspirations. Prepare to showcase your writing prowess for academic and professional opportunities.