Portfolio Writing Package PDF

Portfolio Writing Package Session 2 Prepared by Dr. Taoufik Khotbi  On The Menu... Cover Letter Personal Statement Statement of Purpose About Me or Professional Profile  Cover Letter Purpose: Aimed at applying for a job or internship. It int...

Portfolio Writing Package Session 2 Prepared by Dr. Taoufik Khotbi  On The Menu... Cover Letter Personal Statement Statement of Purpose About Me or Professional Profile  Cover Letter Purpose: Aimed at applying for a job or internship. It introduces you to the employer, highlights your qualifications, and expresses interest in a specific role. Tone: Professional and focused on your skills, experience, and how you can contribute to the company or organization. Structure: Brief (typically one page), addressing the employer directly, and tailored to the job posting  Personal Statement Purpose: Commonly used in applications for scholarships, university admissions, or specific programs. It showcases your personal background, experiences, and motivations. Tone: Reflective, personal, and often emotional, as it’s a chance to show your unique story and qualities. Structure: A narrative focusing on personal experiences that have shaped your goals or character.  Statement of Purpose Purpose: Primarily used in graduate school or academic applications. It explains your academic and career goals, why you’re interested in the program, and how it fits into your future plans. Tone: Formal, goal-oriented, and specific to the field of study or career. Structure: Focused on your academic and professional experiences and future aspirations in a clear, organized way.  About Me or Professional Profile Tone: While still professional, it can be more personal and narrative. You have more room to reflect on your journey, values, and what motivates you, offering a fuller picture of who you are. Length: This can be longer than a resume summary, perhaps one full page, giving you more space to describe your background, skills, experiences, and ambitions. Content: You can include elements like why you pursued business, the experiences that shaped your career aspirations, and your long-term goals, without being as brief and direct as you would in a resume.  Key Points to Include Your Background: Education, key experiences that led you to where you are now. Your Values and Goals: What drives you professionally? What are your long-term aspirations? Your Unique Selling Points: Skills or experiences that make you stand out in your field. Personal Touches: Add a sentence or two about your personal interests, hobbies, or qualities that give more insight into who you are outside of work. Introduction and Current Status / Academic Background and Skillset State your field of study and passion. / Summarize the key skills you've gained. Early Interests and Career Motivation: Describe how you became interested in your field. Relevant Academic/Project Experiences: Share project-based experiences and accomplishments.  Internships and Real-World Experience: Highlight any internships or professional experiences. Future Career Goals & Conclusion and Personal Mission: State what you aim to achieve in your career & sum up your professional mission or long-term goals Personal Interests and Extracurricular Activities: Mention hobbies or activities that align with your career.  Task 1. Review your group’s “About Me” writing based on the feedback provided by your professor. 2. Edit the group’s “About Me” writing. 3. Draft your own “About Me” section. 4. Ensure it is ready for your portfolio file. CV/RESUME WRITING  Main Difference RESUME CV A concise summary of A detailed account of experiences academic experiences One Page Multiple Pages  CV Achievements Skills Awards Workshops Trainings Publications Honors  RESUME Extra-curricular Jobs activities Internship Volunteering  Understanding Resume Types Chronological: Emphasizes work history Functional: Focuses on skills and experiences Combination/Hybrid: A mix of both. Which resume format best fits your job / position? (e.g., experienced professionals, recent graduates, career changers)  Key Sections of a Resume Header: Name, contact information (email, phone, LinkedIn). Professional Summary or Objective Statement. Work Experience: How to describe roles, responsibilities, and achievements. Skills Section: Hard skills vs. soft skills. Education: How much detail to include. Certifications (if relevant). ATS  Common Resume Mistakes Spelling and grammar mistakes Inconsistent formatting (font and size) Including irrelevant information Too much text or too little Lack of action words (e.g., "led," "managed," "created," etc.) and metrics. Adopting a one-for-all  Header Name (large and bold font)/ Contact Information (email, phone number, LinkedIn profile, location if relevant) Professional Summary A concise statement (2-3 sentences) highlighting your career achievements, key skills, and what you bring to the table. Recent business school graduate with a focus on finance and operations management. Proven ability to apply data-driven strategies through internships and academic projects. Seeking an entry-level financial analyst role to leverage analytical and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.  Key Skills Highlight transferable skills such as business analysis, financial modeling, project management, and teamwork. Since you’re a recent graduate, focus on skills gained during internships, academic projects, or part-time jobs. Financial Analysis: Proficient in Data Analytics: Strong analytical creating financial models and forecasts skills using Excel and Power BI for using Excel and financial software. business insights. Project Management: Led team projects in business school, applying principles of Agile methodology. Education Degree, school name, graduation date, any honors, relevant coursework Internship and Project Experience: Since you may not have full-time professional experience, emphasize internships, volunteer work, and academic projects. Use bullet points to show your impact and any measurable results from your work Structure this section like you would for a professional experience section. Certifications and Technical Skills: If you’ve earned any relevant certifications or developed technical skills (e.g., proficiency in business tools like Excel, QuickBooks, SQL, or project management software), include them in this section. Additional Sections (optional): If relevant, you can add sections like Languages, Volunteer Work, or Hobbies to show additional skills and interests  Task 1. Review your “Resume” based on the feedback provided by your professor. 2. Edit the writing based on feedback given. 3. Draft your own “Resume”. 4. Ensure it is ready for your portfolio file. PROJECT AND EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTATION  Outline Identifying Key Projects and Experiences Structuring the Documentation Using Action-Oriented Language Quantifying Achievements Skill Assessment and Reflection  Step 1 list all major projects, internships, volunteer roles, or part-time jobs. Prioritize experiences that showcase skills aligned with your career goals or future aspirations  Step 2 (checklist) Did this project involve key skills or knowledge relevant to your desired field? Was there a clear accomplishment or learning takeaway? Could you describe the impact or outcome effectively?  Structuring the Documentation Project/Experience Marketing Internship at SIG Co. (June 2022 - Title and Date August 2022).” Overview During my internship at SIG Corporation, my goal was to observe and gain insights on how to enhance our approach with key clients. Responsibilities Conducted market research to define audience interests, Created promotional materials for a social media launch. Skills Used Utilized data analysis tools like Google Analytics Improved public speaking skills during weekly presentations to stakeholders. Achievements and Improved the workflow of a 5-member team by Results implementing task-tracking software  Using Action-Oriented Language Descriptive Passive words voice “Worked on social media posts.” Strong Active voice action verbs  Strong action verbs Led strategic initiatives Developed innovative solutions Designed compelling visuals Optimized existing processes Analyzed comprehensive data Orchestrated successful events Launched targeted campaigns  Strong action verbs Collaborated effectively with teams Generated insightful reports Enhanced user engagement Transformed outdated procedures Managed high-impact projects Implemented best practices Strengthened brand reputation Facilitated productive discussions  Practice “Worked on social media posts” Designed engaging social media content that increased follower engagement by 20%.  Practice “Helped with customer service.” Enhanced customer service by responding to their needs promptly and professionally. “Did analysis on project data.” Analyzed project data to identify key performance indicators, improving reporting accuracy by 15%. “Worked with the sales team on new product promotion.” Collaborated with the sales team to launch a targeted product campaign, resulting in a 10% increase in sales.  Quantifying Achievements “Helped organize a campus event” -> Coordinated a campus event attended by over 100 students, managing a budget of 5000 Dhs and securing 3 local sponsors.  “Worked on a team project for class.” -> Collaborated with a team of 4 classmates to develop a marketing strategy for a local business, leading to a 15% increase in brand awareness according to post-project surveys.  Practice “Participated in a school campaign.” “Assisted with student service inquiries.” “Contributed to a charity fundraiser.” “Created promotional materials for a project.” “Helped with class presentations.”  “What did you find challenging, and how did Reflective Self- you overcome it?” Assessment “What would you do differently if you had to repeat this project?” Incorporating “Through this experience, I learned…” Reflective “This project taught me the importance of…” Language “Working on this task gave me confidence in…”  Task 1. Before you write, make sure that you understand all the steps covered in class 2. While you write, make sure that each “entry” has all the necessary details about your job/project experience 3. Additionally, make sure that your “entries” are diversified (internship, projects...etc.) yet complementary. 4. After you write, check for any unnecessary typos or mistakes. Portfolio Writing Package Session 5 Prepared by Dr. Taoufik Khotbi Certificates and Continuous Learning Visual Gallery  Outline Understanding Certificates and Their Value Documenting Visuals Roadmap Synopsis  Are certificates important? Enhances employability Validates skills and competencies Supports lifelong professional growth  Types of Certificates 1. Professional Certifications: Require passing an examination or assessment. Often have prerequisites, such as a degree or work experience. Usually need periodic renewal or continuing education to maintain. 2. Completion Certificates: Focus on attendance or completion rather than mastery. Often include course details or key topics covered 3. Industry-Recognized Credentials: Often digital and verifiable online. Focus on specific skills or tools relevant to the industry. Frequently required or preferred for specialized roles.  Test Yourself Photography Master-Class Certificate = Photography basics. Google Analytics Certification = Data analytics and web tracking. SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)= Human resources management.  Documenting Certificates Include certificates as attachments, links, or scanned copies Write concise reflections on key takeaways Highlight how the learning applies to personal and professional goals  Writing the Entry Course/Certificate LinkedIn Learning: Essentials of Negotiation Reflection: This course was about effective negotiation strategies, particularly in resolving workplace conflicts and closing business deals. I gained practical insights into active listening and finding mutually beneficial solutions. These skills were immediately applicable during a group project where I facilitated a compromise between team members, ensuring timely completion of tasks. Moving forward, I aim to refine these skills through additional workshops and real-world experiences.  Writing the Entry Course/Certificate LinkedIn Learning: Essentials of Negotiation Reflection: This course was about negotiation. It was interesting, and the instructor explained various techniques for handling negotiations. I learned about many strategies like active listening and making compromises. While I haven't had the chance to use these skills yet, I think they will be useful in the future when I work in a professional environment.  Writing the Entry Course/Certificate LinkedIn Learning: Essentials of Negotiation Reflection: This course was about effective negotiation strategies, particularly in resolving workplace conflicts and closing business deals. I gained practical insights into active listening and finding mutually beneficial solutions. These skills were immediately applicable during a group project where I facilitated a compromise between team members, ensuring timely completion of tasks. Moving forward, I aim to refine these skills through additional workshops and real-world experiences. PICTURES – IMAGES – BADGES - SCANS  Documenting Visuals Include high-quality photos: visuals that capture significant events, such as presentations, team projects, voluntary work, or competitions. include details such as the event name, date, and your role. Engage with Storytelling  Documenting Visuals Display badges: digital or physical badges earned from clubs, organizations, or professional certification Provide a brief but impactful description of what the badge represents and your specific role Group Similar Badges  What to (not) do Use categories for clarity (e.g., Projects, Events, Community Service). Avoid irrelevant or overly casual images. Avoid overloading with too many visuals. Highlight quality over quantity Maintain a clean and professional layout. A beautiful picture to take as a model  Writing the Entry Event Name: Public Speaking Contest Date: April 2023 Visual Evidence: Photo Description: Action shot of me delivering my speech, a group photo with other contestants, and a snapshot receiving the "Best Speaker" award. Caption: Participated in the Inter-School Public Speaking Contest and won the 'Best Speaker' award out of 50 participants. Delivered a 5-minute persuasive speech on the importance of sustainable leadership. Prepared extensively by researching the topic and refining my delivery through practice sessions with mentors. Roadmap: Learning and Career Objectives Long-Term Goals Mid- Term Goals Short-Term Goals Portfolio Synopsis Purpose Summary Sections statement Main/Key Value of part content