Creating a Dynamite Job Portfolio

Module One: Who Are You?

This Module Will Cover:

 Exploration
 Standing Out from the Crowd
 Self-Description
 Punch up Your Action Statements

Exploration

What is a Portfolio?

We may think that only creative individuals (such as graphic artists, writers, and teachers) would use a
portfolio in a job search. This is not always the case, however. The portfolio is evolving into a popular
tool for all types of job seekers.

Your portfolio is a part of your job interview. You can use it to illustrate your strengths by including
examples of your work. Putting your portfolio together is a lot of work, but once you have completed it,
it is easy to keep it up to date.

The first thing that you must focus on as you create your portfolio and resume is a good description of
what you offer to an employer. Describing yourself, what you are good at, and what you want are
important steps. What are your strengths and skills?
Standing Out from the Crowd

Resumes are not on too many bestseller lists. They are normally pretty dry, so creating one that helps
you to stand out from the crowd is no easy task. You have to make sure that the spelling is perfect, the
formatting is consistent, and that your first statements grab the reader’s attention. However, isn’t the
competition doing the same? How can you make your resume stand out?

Your resume and portfolio are great tools. The process of creating them can help you remember the
great things you have done that you might have forgotten about. They will also prompt you to answer
some difficult interview questions, like “Tell me why I should hire you.” They can remind you of
important contributions that you have made, or even help you to see your career in a completely new
light.

You might think that you can just sit in front of a computer for an hour and whip off a good resume, but
this is not so. The best resumes are the result of learning the resume-writing process and allowing
yourself the room to really create. You will find, as you probably did while working on the resume
worksheet that was a part of your pre-assignment, that this process involves creating many notes and
doing a lot of rewriting. Once you’ve created all kinds of notes and prepared your final material, you will
be left with something that is comprehensive and valuable, rather than just another non-descript
resume cranked off from a template. This careful construction will make your resume stand out.

Self-Description
Your top skills are the statements on which you will focus. They will become the central ideas behind
your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. These statements (which may be on your current resume or on
the worksheet that you completed for your pre-assignment) need to be full of active language (strong
verbs) and adjectives. If possible, include numbers and achievements to enrich each statement. This
helps employers to understand how you do what you do and how valuable you are.

Imagine that you worked as a medical transcription clerk in your last job. Now, compare these two
statements and decide which one is stronger:
 Responsible for transcribing medical file updates from doctor’s recorded messages.
 Consistently transcribed physician’s medical files at 65 words per minute with 99.25% accuracy.

Now imagine that you were a taxi driver. Compare these two statements and decide which one is
stronger:
 Safely operated a taxi.
 Operated two different cabs (sedan and mini-van) and was commended for customer service six
times per year on average.
A Few Guidelines

Use each verb only once. If you say “accomplished” ten times, it becomes boring to the reader. Vary
your language.

Tell the truth and keep the industry jargon to a minimum. You might think that you are using standard
terms, but the person screening your resume might not understand the intricacies of your profession.
You need to be able to explain yourself to whoever could be reading your resume.

Most strong resumes are composed of short, punchy sentences. Aim for sentences between 15 and 20
words. If your sentences are too long, break them into shorter ones. If they seem short and choppy, vary
your presentation to combine sentences with bulleted lists.

Use common words to communicate quickly and effectively. Avoid words that readers have to look up in
the dictionary. For example, don’t use “obfuscate” when “confuse” will do or you will lose your reader.

You can skip pronouns (I, you, he, she, they) and articles (a the) to keep your statements fresh and save
space. In some environments, this also seems more professional, while other people might like a more
personal touch. Think about your intended audience when choosing your approach.
Punch up Your Action Statements

accomplished achieved acted adapted addressed

administered advanced advised allocated analyzed

appraised approved arranged assembled assigned

assisted attained audited authored automated

balanced budgeted built calculated catalogued

chaired clarified classified coached collected

compiled completed composed computed conceptualized

conducted consolidated contained contracted contributed

controlled coordinated corresponded counselled created

critiqued cut decreased delegated demonstrated

designed developed devised diagnosed directed

dispatched distinguished diversified drafted edited

educated eliminated enabled encouraged engineered

enlisted established evaluated examined executed

expanded expedited explained extracted fabricated

facilitated fashioned focused forecast formatted

founded generated guided identified illustrated

implemented improved increased influenced informed

initiated innovated inspected installed instigated

instituted instructed integrated interpreted interviewed

introduced invented launched lectured led

maintained managed marketed mediated moderated

monitored motivated negotiated operated organized

originated overhauled performed persuaded planned

prepared presented prioritized processed produced

programmed projected promoted provided publicized

published purchased recommended reconciled recorded

recruited reduced referred regulated rehabilitated

remodelled repaired represented researched restored

restructured retrieved revitalized saved scheduled

screened set shaped solidified solved

specified stimulated streamlined strengthened summarized

supervised surveyed systemized tabulated taught

trained translated travelled trimmed upgraded

validated worked wrote

 Module Two: Writing the Resume

This Module Will Cover:

 Essential Ingredients
 Writing the Resume
 Resume Writing as a Profession

Essential Ingredients
Your resume is your marketing sheet. It concisely tells a potential employer what you know and do.
Following some guidelines will help you to produce a brilliant resume. The best resume is one for which
you generate the content, but if you’re struggling, help is available to package it brilliantly.

Length

Your resume should be no more than two pages, although there are exceptions. In today’s busy office,
the resume screener and manager would love to have a one-page resume, so if you can say everything
that needs saying on one page, do so. Otherwise, most resumes stick to an unofficial two-page cut-off. If
you cannot say it in two pages, you are probably saying too much. You should know that if your resume
is longer than two pages, it probably won’t be read.

However, there are exceptions. Academic and scientific resumes are often longer than two pages
because they are virtually portfolios. These kinds of resumes are referred to as Curriculum Vitae (CV)
and include examples of professionally published work and research. You should only prepare a CV if it is
specifically requested for a particular position.

A good rule of thumb is to review your resume and ask yourself if every statement helps potential
employers learn something about you. If they won’t get any value from what you are saying, leave it
out.

Proofreading

Never, ever skip this step. You must proofread your material very closely and then recruit some help.
Often, when we re-read material that we have written ourselves, our brain recognizes it as correct, even
if it’s not. Even keen spellers can find it difficult to see errors in their own work. The spell-check function
on your computer is of some value, of course, but it will not recognize contextual mistakes, like using
“hear” when you should use “here.” Don’t ask just anyone to help you with this step: ask a strong
speller.
Contact Information

All of your important personal data (name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address) must be
correct. Be mindful of the e-mail address you use. Sometimes, people tend to have very creative
addresses. If you decide to use an e-mail address in your contact information, create one that sounds
professional. Save the fun and playful names and creative addresses for your friends.

It is also a good idea to check your spam filter on a daily basis in case employer inquiries are getting
stuck there.

Objective

People often use the objective statement incorrectly. They say things like, “Looking for an entry-level
accounting position.” This is a bit too vague. You should take it to the next level and focus on what you
can bring to the employer.

How about:
 Recent graduate who thrives in a busy environment and on challenging assignments seeks an
entry-level accounting position.
 Recent accounting graduate with a reputation for exceptional work and focus seeks entry-level
accounting position.

Skill Summary

This is an optional section, but excellent if you have done similar work in many different organizations. It
should include at least one statement that describes an achievement, and it should support your
employment goals.

Work Experience

Use this section to highlight your most qualifying employment experiences. Put them in chronological
order to keep it organized. Avoid wasting space. (For example, don’t include employer addresses.)

Avoid including information that could cause problems for you. For example, if you are posting your
resume online, you will probably need to be discreet about the name of your current employer in case
someone from your current work comes across your resume online.
Remove all references to salaries, along with any reference as to why you left your former position.
Avoid mentioning availability dates as well.

Use job titles that will make sense to a potential employer. Avoid jargon here; if your job title was not
descriptive of the work you did, change the language. For example, “WTC” means nothing outside of the
company that invented the acronym, even though you know it means “Warehouse Technician in the
Calgary office.” On your resume, it makes more sense to refer to that position as “Warehouse
Technician.”

As a rule, include no more than 10 years of work history unless the previous experience is important. If
you have not used a particular skill in the past ten years, chances are you will need to do some kind of
upgrading before using it again.

Accomplishments

Depending on the type of work you have done and the contributions you have made, you may have a lot
or a little to say about your achievements. You may want to list some of your achievements with your
work experience, or you may want to list them in a separate category.

Businesses have pretty limited interests, most of which focus on profit. Your accomplishments need to
show potential employers how good you will be at making and saving them money. If you keep that in
mind, you will be able to easily select the right accomplishments to include. This does not mean that you
should not include examples that cannot be qualified with numbers and dollars. It just means that you
should quantify as many examples as you can.

Education

If you have recently graduated (or are about to graduate) and do not have much work experience, but
this section ahead of the work experience section. If your experience is more valuable, then the work
experience section goes before this section. Your highest educational achievement goes first in the list.
Include courses and qualifications that you earned outside of school that support your application, like
driver’s licensing, safety courses, workshops, and certificates.
General Style Tips

List the most recent experience first for each section. If you had more than one position with a
company, list the most senior position first. Leave out irrelevant tasks or job titles.

Emphasize your accomplishments by using bold, italics, or underlining.

Include some comments about your work from a supervisor, manager, or customer (like an
endorsement you might see on the cover of a book).

Include volunteer or community service involvement that supports your application. (Captain of the
marbles team in elementary school does not fit here.) Exclude religious or political comments unless you
are applying to a religious organization or political party.

Do not include references on the resume. Instead, add a line that says, “References available upon
request.”

Check Up On Yourself

Before you send your resume anywhere, go through this list:

 Have you used short, easy to understand words instead of longer, complex ones that need to be
looked up?
 Are your sentences no more than 15 to 20 words long?
 Are your paragraphs under five lines?
 Do your sentences begin with powerful action words wherever possible?
 Have you weeded out all the jargon you possibly could?
 Has someone proofread your document?
 Is there a nice balance of print and white space on the page?
Writing the Resume

Sample Resume One

Rebecca is looking for a job in a new province within the animal care industry.
Sample Resume Two

Rebecca is a store supervisor who wants to move into a training and development position with the
same company.
Sample Resume Three

Rebecca took a bold approach to her job search. She is looking for something in the accounting field but
is ready for a change of industry.
Sample Resume Four

Rebecca is a recent high school graduate seeking work in the retail sector. She has some experience
already and is letting potential employers know that she would like to advance at some point.
Resume Writing as a Profession

There is a branch of career development known as resume writing. A professional resume writer
specializes in highlighting your accomplishments and creating a document that markets you as a
candidate.

Here are a few caveats if you decide to hire a professional resume writer. All career development
professionals should be able to create a resume with and for you, but not all resume writers are career
development professionals. Know who you are hiring and what your intentions or goals are. Your
resume is best written using terminology and phrasing that you create. If you attend an interview and
know nothing about the examples in your resume or what a particular statement means, you won’t
impress the interviewer at all.
 Module Three: Creating a Noticeable Package

This Module Will Cover:

 Personal Branding
 Types of Resumes

Personal Branding

If you look on the Internet for information on resumes and job searching, in addition to finding out
about portfolios, you will likely come across information about branding. Branding works for big
companies like Coca-Cola and Google, and it can also work for you. Branding, in this sense, means that
you offer yourself as a “package.” Just as you can recognize a Coca-Cola can anywhere in the world by its
swirl of white against red, your information should be immediately associated with you when someone
picks up your resume.

You should think about using different resume formats for different purposes. Your resume, cover letter,
and the references page should all look like they came off of the same printer and that they apply to
you. You can create a polished look even with the most basic keyboarding skills.

For example, if you put your portfolio into a binder with a window front on it, you can put that same
window design on your cover page to create an elegant, professional, and branded look. Your header
(the block with your name and address) should look the same on every document. Your margins should
be the same as well (an inch to an inch and a half all the way around; don’t skimp on your margins).

If you use colour (some people like an accent line or a block of colour; others will have a logo), it must
appear the same way on all of your job search documents.

In addition to keeping your documents looking consistent, make sure you print your documents on good
quality white paper. It does not help your case to use coloured paper, card stock, or any other tricks that
you have heard of. A good weight white paper is all you need.
Types of Resumes

There are several options for how you can format your resume in terms of layout. The main types are:
 Chronological
 Functional
 Combination

There is no perfect way to set up a resume. You are trying to appeal to a reader that you haven’t met
and, in reality, most employers do not want to read resumes in the first place. As you read the following
descriptions, keep in mind that one is no better than the other. The layout you use will depend on your
needs.

Chronological

This type of resume is arranged in chronological order, with the recent experiences listed first. The
template that you completed as part of your pre-assignment essentially asks for information in
chronological order.

Functional

This type of resume organizes information by function and skill. It is helpful when people are trying to
take their current skillset and transfer it into a new or slightly different type of work. These resumes also
play down dates or employer names in order to highlight the most important content.

In this format, you will use headings that apply to specific skill areas, such as Management, Training,
Sales, etc. The sample resume that we provided for the front-end supervisor that wanted to move into a
training and development position follows this format.

Some resume writers may tell you to avoid the functional resume. They will tell you that the hiring
manager assumes that you are trying to hide something (like being out of work for a while, being in
prison, or job hopping). That is not necessarily the case. Use the style of resume that markets you in the
most effective way possible.

Combination

These resumes use a combined approach, as their name suggests. You need to choose the approach that
explains your best to the employer.
More Than One Resume?

Don’t panic! Not everyone needs more than one resume. However, some people have a diverse
background and are qualified for two different jobs. The only difference in their resumes might be the
objective statement used for each. For example, a teacher may be qualified to teach and to work as a
counsellor. One resume will not work for both jobs, even though a lot of the information will be similar.

Many employers require that applicants apply for jobs through their websites. You may be able to send
them an electronic copy of your resume or you may have to reformat it so that it fits their requirements
for submission.

If an employer has a form that you need to copy and paste your information into, simply take your
polished, branded, beautiful resume, select all the text, and change it to one font (often Times New
Roman or Arial). Carefully watch as you paste your information into the employer’s format since you
might lose some of your formattings. For example, bulleted list formatting may disappear. If that
happens, place a dash at the beginning of each line.

Don’t shy away from electronic applications. As they become more sophisticated, your information is
stored effectively for future job openings. This is slightly better than the old system where you have to
re-apply to the same company every three months because they shred paper copies regularly. Do be
aware, however, that once a company uploads your information to their database, it may be stored
there forever. If you apply for 12 different jobs at one company over an 18-month period, make sure
that the information you submit is consistent and honestly presented. Follow their directions for
submission closely.
 Module Four: Cover Letters

This Module Will Cover:

 Essential Ingredients

Essential Ingredients

Your cover letter is an initial introduction to your potential employer, not a regurgitation of your
resume. It should entice the reader to jump into your resume with interest and enthusiasm.

The cover letter is written like any other business letter. Your address should exactly look as it does on
your resume. Next, add the date and the employer’s name and address. The letter should never be more
than one page. If it is long-winded, the reader will find you boring. Chances are you are simply repeating
what is in your resume, so cut it down.

Step One

We’re going to present the letter in the form below, but there are a few caveats. This letter has to grab
your reader’s attention. The first thing that the reader will see is a black and white picture. Make sure
you are using good paper and that the print is clear and crisp.

Step Two

Write an interesting letter. Include the potential employer’s name and make sure it is spelt correctly!

Some ads will not include a name, but it is possible for a keen job hunter to avoid using “To Whom It
May Concern” or “Dear Sir.” Make a phone call to the company. Let them know that you are preparing a
resume and that the advertisement did not provide a name. Ask for it. It’s very rare for a company to
refuse this type of request. Quickly explain what you are offering. A little bit of additional information
can really get your letter off to a strong start.
You can modify any of the following examples or come up with a phrase that starts your letter in a
compelling way:
 I came across an article about your company in our local paper. From research on your website
and looking at the marketplace, I am sure of a couple of things. First, yours is the kind of
company that I want to be associated with, and second, I have the skills that you can use.
 I am a motivated high school student looking for some valuable experience during the summer
break.
 Staying current in our industry is tough because it changes so rapidly, and many professionals
find it hard to keep up. I am someone who keeps up on those changes, and I hope that you
would like to meet so that we can talk about how I can help you to embrace the future.
 I read your advertisement in the Daily News on May 17 and, after researching your organization,
I think that I have something to offer you.
 Your May 17 advertisement in the Daily News caught my attention, and your company name
caught my eye.

Step Three

Give potential employers a reason to get curious about your resume. Bridge your opening paragraph
with something like:
 If you are looking for someone who can _________, I can help you by __________.
 If you still have a need in this area, my resume demonstrates my dedication and commitment to
what I do.

Then you can include one or two sentences that highlight a special contribution or achievement:
 I have 15 years’ experience in the agriculture industry, built on a degree from Olds College. My
background has enabled me to consistently identify and implement the right technology to
increase the sustainability of farming in our region.

Your letter can be presented in bullet form or paragraphs.

Step Four

Follow up with an action statement. You want the reader to turn the page and look over your resume as
they pick up the phone to call you and invite you to a meeting.

Here are some examples:

 I will be in your area on Tuesday and Wednesday next week and would be happy to meet with
you to discuss the opportunity.
 I am happy to meet to speak with you about this position. I have a portfolio that I can present to
you at the meeting.

You can also safely add something like, “I am currently employed and would appreciate your
consideration at maintaining the confidentiality of my application.”
 Module Five: The Portfolio

This Module Will Cover:

 Essential Components
 Designing Your Portfolio

Essential Components

The Bottom Line

Employers always consider the bottom line. Your goal is to present your skills in such a way that they can
quickly recognize the value that you can bring to their team. Your portfolio is a marketing tool. Once it is
organized and presented well, your portfolio should stand up to any interview.

We have already mentioned that a portfolio has been used for a long time for creative pursuits (such as
art and design) and teaching and that it can be presented in a binder with a picture holder on the front if
desired. They can also be electronic or stored on a website.

What Should Be Included?

Essential sections for the portfolio will vary depending on the type of job and industry that you are
working in. Only include the sections for which you have content. Any information you include should
enhance your opportunity to market yourself.

Career Summary
This is a description of who you are through what you have done. You can include elements that are not
in your resume (such as your work ethic, professional interests, philosophy about life and work, etc.).

Goals
Talk about where you see yourself professionally in one, two, and five years.

Personal Philosophy and Mission Statement

This is a personal statement about your guiding principles that define your purpose. Consider this your
personal executive summary.
Resume
Include a good, clean copy of your resume. As well, have an extra copy in case someone in the interview
panel needs one.

Know the company. If they would like a copy that can be scanned, simply format your resume as a plain
text document (usually Times New Roman, font size 12) without any fancy formatting (bullets are
replaced by dashes, letters all of the uniform size, etc.).

Accomplishments
Include a detailed list of all your major career accomplishments to date. This is an important element in
your portfolio.

This section should be branded to match your resume. Include a list of examples that you can refer to
easily during your interview. Depending on the type of work you do, this section may be a paper or
multimedia presentation. You can include comprehensive examples in this section.

Work Samples
These are often printed copies of the work that you have done, although they could be in a multimedia
format. Include reports, papers, studies, brochures, projects, presentations, and so on. Make sure that
they are crisp, clean copies. It’s a good idea to use a plastic sleeve to protect your samples.

Research, Publications, and Reports

This is an area where you can highlight your writing, research, and conference submissions, for example.

Testimonials and Letters of Recommendation

Collect any compliments and testimonials and place them in this section. This section can also include
copies of your performance evaluations and reviews.

Awards and Honours

This section includes your certificates, scholarships, and so on.

Conferences and Workshops

Include a list of conferences, seminars, training sessions, and workshops that you have participated in or
attended. This can include completion certificates, a copy of the program highlights, or agenda.

Transcripts, Degrees, Licenses, and Certifications

It is rare for an employer to ask for your transcripts, but copies of degrees or other documents are often
required.
Professional Development Activities
This is a list of professional associations to which you belong or for which you volunteer.

Military Records and Awards

You can detail your military service, if applicable.

Volunteering/Community Service
Describe these activities as they relate to your career.

References
Your references should be a list of three people who are willing to speak about your strengths, abilities,
and experience. At least one of your references should be a former manager.
 Module Six: Dealing with Awkward Points

This Module Will Cover:

 Gaps in your Resume
 Pre-Employment Testing

Gaps in Your Resume

We all have a past. Some of our past activities create gaps in our history that are easy to explain, while
others are not. It is important to ensure that you present yourself in the best way possible. This includes
being able to manage awkward conversations. You can polish your delivery to explain questions about
job-hopping, or being fired, or incarcerated. Some employers will request tests or other kinds of effort
from you, and you can be ready for those as well.

Incarceration

Other absences from the workplace can be more difficult to explain. Incarceration is one such example.

If you have received an official pardon for a crime for which you were convicted, you do not have to
mention that on your resume, nor do you have to bring it up in an interview in most cases. Make certain
that you know the law where you live (this is your responsibility, just as it will be that of your potential
employer). Depending on the type of work you do or intend to do, any conviction can affect your ability
to be employed under bond, to work with children, or to cross international borders.

In addition, a conviction can interfere with identification or security clearances. If you apply for a credit
card, for example, and your previous address happens to be a penitentiary, you may feel as though you
have no hope, but that is not the case. You can obtain other types of identification (such as a pre-paid
credit card, library card, etc.) and re-establish credit through utility or rental companies (if you rent a
home) by paying all of your bills on time.

Speak with your parole officer, a representative from your bank, and a career counsellor. (These
resources can be accessed at no cost, in some circumstances, through state and provincial agencies).
They can help you overcome some of these issues.

Temporary work assignments allow you to work on short-term assignments while gathering steady work
references. This means that you will also gain credible access to the hidden job market and getting work
based on referrals from your network (i.e., former supervisors) instead of trying to submit a resume that
has gaps in it.

Ask parole officers, clergy, and career counsellors for help securing work, and be open to their
suggestions and help. Sometimes we ask people to help but then don’t want to hear what they say.
Yours is an awkward job search. You will need help.

Part of the common culture within the prison system includes substance abuse. If you were part of this
group, stay involved with your counsellors and support systems throughout your job search and as you
undertake work.

A functional resume will emphasize your skills and put less emphasis on dates. However, employers are
usually aware of this, and they will ask about gaps in your resume.

Returning to the Workforce After an Absence

If it has been a long time since you had a steady job, expect that there will be an adjustment period for
you and your family. Having to be at work on time for every shift, preparing clothes the night before,
making lunches, and ensuring that bus fares are on hand can take the organization. These skills improve
with practice.

Expect that you may have to prove yourself as a reliable, punctual, and trustworthy individual if your
references are outdated. This can often happen to parents who have taken several years off to raise
their children.
You may feel as though you are being challenged because of your decision to raise your family, but in
many cases, you could be encountering wishful thinking by another parent who might have wanted to
stay at home, as you did.

Work is healthy. Being a part of the workforce is a positive contribution that we make to society. Don’t
shy away from things that you need to do because they are hard; you can adjust.
Job Hopping

Job hopping, or frequently changing jobs, used to be a real negative on a resume. In some cases, it still is
but to a lesser extent. Up until the 1980s, it was common for people to work for the same employer for
30 years or longer before retiring.

Economic shifts in the past several decades, as well as changing attitudes toward work, have resulted in
people looking into the labour force more frequently than they did in years prior. Current figures say
that people may change jobs between 10 and 15 times throughout their careers. These changes can be
across different occupational categories. This means not only changing employers, but also the
fundamental aspects of what they are doing to earn a living.

Job hopping is not necessarily perceived as negative when you are moving up and achieving your career
goals. It can be important to manage the way that you leave a job, however, since you may want to
return to that same company in the future for additional advancement or challenge.
Pre-Employment Testing

Many employers know that they can only get limited exposure to you in an interview. That is part of the
reason your portfolio is so important; it highlights what you have done in the past. These days, many
employers also test potential candidates to see what they can do that is specifically relevant to their
workplace.

It is becoming increasingly popular for employers to ask that job seeker take part in pre-employment
testing. From an employer’s point of view, it assures them that a candidate has both the basic skills for a
job and the skills that they report on their resume. You can look at testing as an opportunity for you to
demonstrate your abilities, as well as your honesty in your resume.
 Module Seven: Getting to a New Job in 60 Days

This Module Will Cover:

 60 Days to a New Job
 Getting the Lead Out

60 Days to a New Job

Your goal in coming to this workshop probably has something to do with finding a new job. If this is the
case, the time to start is now. We have explored the components and value of resumes and cover
letters, the first two elements of your entire portfolio. Now is the time for action on the job search front
by setting action-oriented goals. If you do not set goals, you probably won’t start your job search right
away.

Research shows that we retain information for a very limited time. It also shows that unless you take
what you hear in this workshop and get started within seven days, chances are very high that you will
lose motivation.

If you are unhappy in your job, that could mean continuing unhappiness. If you are off work completely,
then the need to get started is here for obvious reasons.

If you want to get from where you are today to a new position in 60 days, the following steps can make
it happen:

Days 1 - 3

 Write, polish, and proofread your resume and cover letter.

 Have a trusted and excellent speller to review both documents.

Days 2 - 5

 Complete the writing and gathering of information for your portfolio, and put it
together in a dynamic presentation format.
 Have a trusted and excellent speller to review your portfolio.
 Attend an interview skills workshop.
 Review your goals and affirmation.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy
in a new job because of your hard work and dedication.
Day 6

 Research companies that are in your target market/job area.

 Create a list of at least 25 contacts.

Days 7 - 8

 Start your active networking, using every resource at your disposal.

 Cold call and book informational interviews at 25 companies, as well as acting on any leads that
they give you.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a
new job because of your hard work and dedication.

Day 9

 Relax.
 Repeat your affirmations. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a new job
because of your hard work and dedication.

Days 10 - 14

 Attend informational interviews; send thank-you notes to everyone you meet with.
 Continue to network; as your contacts grow, add to your list of companies, and contact them as
well.
 Cold call and set up meetings with new companies.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a
new job because of your hard work and dedication.

Day 15

 Look at all the obvious job market opportunities (advertised jobs).

 Continue to network and explore unadvertised (hidden) opportunities.
 Attend interviews.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a
new job because of your hard work and dedication.
Day 16

 Relax.
 Review your resume, portfolio, and interview questions and make any changes needed.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a
new job because of your hard work and dedication.

Days 17 - 25

 Celebrate your success to date. You are working hard!

 Continue to attend informational interviews and send thank-you notes to everyone you meet
with.
 Continue to network; as your contacts grow, add to your list of companies, and contact them as
well.
 Continue to cold call and set up meetings with new companies.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a
new job because of your hard work and dedication.

Days 26 - 35

 If you are not getting the response that you expected from your inquiries and job search, enlist
the help of a professional career counsellor or coach.
 Review the steps that you are taking.
 Review the readability and success of your portfolio.
 Perform a scan of the labour market, including companies that you have already targeted.
Consider contacting them again and following up.
 Check your notes carefully for any companies that you were going to call back, but may have
missed.

Days 36 - 60

Continue to:
 Attend informational interviews; send thank-you notes to everyone you meet with.
 Continue to network; as your contacts grow, add to your list of companies, and contact them as
well.
 Cold call and set up meetings with new companies.
 Repeat your affirmations every day. Include a visualization of yourself confident and happy in a
new job because of your hard work and dedication.
Summary

This is an effective, active, and driven way to get what you want from your job search. It requires a great
level of commitment and dedication from you, but that is as it should be since you are the one that will
reap the rewards of your efforts.

Remember that:
 Your cover letter and resume introduce you to the company.
 Your performance during the interview(s) and any testing, as well as the quality of the
competition, affects your ability to get the job.

Unless you are in a period of serious economic recession or in an area that has been affected by some
form of disaster, this approach should result in employment. Even in times of recession and disaster, this
level of commitment will uncover any opportunities in your area.

Be open to happenstance: the idea that you can try things that are new or different. If your ideal job
(one for which you are qualified, and that exists in your area) eludes you, consider other options.
Sometimes the best jobs we ever do are the ones we never expected, or that give us the opportunity to
try something we never thought that we would do.

Getting the Lead Out

A job search can be a harrowing time for everyone. No matter how well we prepare a resume and
portfolio, we can still run into trouble if we allow ourselves to stand in the way of our own success. This
exercise allows us to get the big things that might stop us from getting the job we want on the table, as
well as share some ideas to overcome them.
 Module Eight: Goal Setting

This Module Will Cover:

 Creating a Plan
 Choosing Your References

Creating a Plan

If you’re ready to realize your goals, here's how to create a plan.

1. Make Sure Your Goals Are SMART

SMART goals give you clarity and a deadline for achieving them. SMART goals are:

Specific: Your goal is clearly defined. “I want to make more money,” is vague. “I want to make £10,000
per month,” is specific.

Measurable: You need to quantify your goal, so you know you achieved it. This is where being a specific
help. What constitutes "more" in more money? A specific dollar amount is measurable.

Attainable: It’s good to set goals that make you stretch and challenge yourself, but you set yourself up
for frustration and failure if your goal is impossible.

Relevant: Your goals should fit within your ultimate plans in life.

Time: You’ve set a date by which your goal will be achieved.

Note that goals work for large achievements, such as make £50,000 per year working at home, but also,
for smaller projects, such as start blog in 30 days, or get five freelance clients in two weeks.
2. Work Backwards to Set Milestones

A challenge to reaching goals is that often the due date is so far away that many people put off taking
action until it’s too late. Instead, looking at the amount of time you have and the goal you want to reach,
create mini-goals that move you toward the big goal.
For example, if it’s your goal to make £10,000 a month in your business within six months, create mini-
goals of how much you’ll earn at the end of one month (i.e. £2,000/mo) and three months (i.e. £5,000
per month). You’ll know you’re on or off track when one and three months comes and you’ve hit or
missed your mini-goal.

3. Determine What Needs to Happen to Reach Your Goals

During this step, get specific on what it takes to reach your mini and big goals within the time frame.
Using the £10,000 a month goal example to make more money, you need to get more clients or
customers. In this step, you want to determine how many clients you need to make £5,000 and £10,000
per month in your business. How many prospects need to enter your sales funnel? How many pitches
need to be made to generate a sale?

4. Decide What Actions Are Required to Reach Your Goals

What tasks do you need to do regularly to fulfil and your goal? For example, if you need to talk to 10
people to make two sales, what actions do you need to take to find 10 people? If you need to have 100
leads to find 10 people to talk to, what actions will it take to find 100 leads?

In business, the tasks in this section usually involve marketing; however, it also involves providing a
quality product or service and keeping your customers and clients happy so they’ll keep coming back
and/or refer new prospects.
5. Put Your Actions into a Schedule

When you complete #4, you should have a list of tasks that need to be completed to reach your goal.
Now it’s time to put those tasks into your schedule by making a daily plan. These are the tasks you do
each day to generate prospects and leads. They are also the tasks you do to create and deliver your
product or service.

If you’re starting a part-time business around an already busy life, it can be a challenge to add more
tasks to your daily routine, but it’s crucial to achieving your goals. One way to make it all work is to learn
how to manage and maximize your time.

6. Follow Through

Once you’ve completed the above steps, you should have your daily schedule and targets to shoot for
during the process of working on your goal. The next step is to follow your schedule. Do the daily tasks
you’ve assigned yourself to do. When you feel like things aren't going well, find a way to keep yourself
motivated. That seems like a no-brainer, and yet most people don’t achieve their goals because they
don’t do the work on a regular and consistent basis. In most cases, the plan doesn't fail; people simply
quit.

While you're at it, keep track of your accomplishments and results. Set aside time every month or so to
evaluate how well your plan is working, and tweak it if you do not make the progress you want.

The true test of whether or not you'll succeed in your home business is not only by having a good plan
but working your plan. Many would-be entrepreneurs get the point that they have a plan, but then give
up on it. The answer is to get excited about your goals, build in ways to celebrate the small successes,
and always keep your eye on the prize.
Choosing Your References

Making the Right Choices

References are an important part of your job search. Most employers call to check references after they
have offered you a job, though some will use the reference check in making final decisions about a job
offer. Whether or not you are hired can depend solely on the results of reference checks and testing.

You need to have at least three references for your application. Whenever possible, they should all be
previous supervisors in one respect or another. Your direct supervisor and manager and a previous
supervisor would be ideal. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, so references can be a little
trickier than that.

Before you list anyone on your reference page, you must ask his or her permission. Once you have your
references in order, format the reference page to match the branding on your resume, cover letter, and
portfolio.

If you have not worked in a while or do not wish your supervisor to know that you are looking for a job
just now or you are freshly out of school, you have to be more creative.
How References Work

Employers know that the information they get from a reference can be quite limited. Some employers
do not even give out references any longer, although they may provide some kind of form response that
verifies your dates of employment and job title.

Understandably, you won’t want to ask for a reference from someone that did not like your attitude or
the way you worked. However, what if the only manager you’ve ever had didn’t like you? Employers
know that personality conflicts exist and they know we cannot get along with everyone that we meet.

References know (or they should know) that they have to be careful about what they say to your
potential employer. If the information they provide is interpreted to be harmful, it can actually hurt your
reference as much as it hurts you. As a result, even if a reference doesn’t like you personally, they may
still provide you with a good reference. However, they can also couch their comments in such a way as
to imply that they wouldn’t hire you in the future or that they did not appreciate your work style.

Once you get through the interview and it seems reasonable to expect that your references will get a
call, it is a courtesy to call your references and let them know that they can expect a call from a
particular company. This also gives you the chance to advise your interviewer if your reference happens
to be going on holiday or prefers to be called at a certain time.

Once you get the job, send a thank-you note to your reference. They have gone out of their way for you
and will welcome note from you.
 Module Nine: Thank-You Notes

Why Thank-You Notes Are Important

Saying “thank you” is just as important as saying “please.” Sometimes, in the rush of our job search, we
lose sight of the number of people who are helping us out. Developing your ability to thank people is a
great life skill.

Throughout this course, we have mentioned a few occasions when it is good to write a thank-you note.
In this section, we’ll spend a little time on this very important aspect of your job search.

When you are looking for a job, you are asking people to take time out of their busy schedules to help
you. It is appropriate to thank anyone in your network who:

 Refers you to an employer (whether you get the job or not)

 Provides a reference
 Proofreads your documents
 Is your practice partner for an interview or cold-calling practice
 Does something helpful for you
 Interviews you

People get a lot of e-mail these days, along with flyers and unwanted mail. Most people consider it a
tremendous treat to get a piece of mail from someone who appreciates them, so make an effort to send
a handwritten note. You don’t see many people with thank-you e-mails tacked up in their offices, but
you do see people that hang on to a card that they received in the mail or that was hand-delivered.
These special cards may be tacked up on a bulletin board in their office, on their refrigerator at home, or
on top of a mantel.
Designing a Thank-You Note

With the availability of speciality printer paper, you can print a thank-you card that matches the
branding attached to your portfolio (particularly if you have a logo); or you could visit the card store and,
for a very reasonable price, purchase a box of thank-you cards. Whatever option you choose, it is
important that you handwrite the message inside. (Even if you are a messy writer, do your best.) This is
a personal note; your message does not need to be long, only sincere.

Thank-you notes are becoming accepted practice in the job search industry, no matter the level of job
you are looking for, and no matter if you are a man or woman. This is a good habit to develop. Putting
your name back in front of that prospective employer or network doesn’t hurt either.

Crafting Your Message

Sample messages include:

 Thank you so much for referring me to John at Inco. This connection has really helped me in my
job search.
 Thank you for inviting me to the interview yesterday. It was a pleasure to learn more about your
company, and I look forward to hearing from you again.
 Thanks for letting me practice my interview skills. I feel much more confident about answering
those hard questions!
 Thank you very much for proofreading my portfolio. I feel confident in offering it to potential
employers now. Your help has been invaluable.
 Thank you for being my reference. I have been given the job offer at MedEx and am looking
forward to some big changes. I really appreciate your help.
Final Verdict

This Creating a Dynamite Job Portfolio course will give you a solid idea about writing a resume, cover
letters, making a portfolio, personal branding, goal setting and other necessary things regarding make a
dynamite portfolio. The job market continues to change, as does the way we look for work. This course
examines the value of presenting yourself as a complete package by using a resume as an introduction
to an employer and backing it up with a portfolio presented at the interview. In order to make the most
of this course, participants need to have recently completed the Getting Your Job Search Started course,
or identified target positions and completed a full skills assessment and goal setting exercise.

Throughout this Creating a Dynamite Job Portfolio course, you will learn to speak about yourself using
descriptive language and to design a personalized portfolio. This course will help you apply the essential
elements of cover letters and resumes as well as understand the need for pre-employment testing and
what to expect in your target market. Besides, it is helpful to develop a plan that moves you to a new job
within 60 days. Overall, this course will give you the opportunity to pursue a wide range of knowledge
on creating a dynamite job portfolio for a rewarding career or a scope to pursue more courses at a
higher level.