A portfolio is a visual representation of your abilities and potential. It is usually between 15 and 26 pages long and contains a sample of your best writing, artwork, or projects organized in a way that tells a story about your professional strengths. It should be easy to navigate, well organized and professionally displayed.

Some more tips:

• Include a resume and goal statement.
• Separate your work samples into sections-such as writing, design, event planning, or project management.
• Create a table of contents, and use tabs and cover pages to separate the sections.
• Include only your very best work relevant to the position. Think about what the pieces say about your abilities, and why a potential employer should care. Label each work sample with your job title, date and employer, and add a concise caption that leads the reader to its importance.
• If you don't have enough professional work, create specs (brochures, fliers, ads) that demonstrate your abilities. Indicate that it's spec at the top of the page.
• For copy you don't have in final "pretty" form, you can simply put "In Production" at the top of the page.
• You can also include other supporting documents: course descriptions of relevant classes, certificates of completion for seminars, workshops, or training, a positive evaluation you received from an instructor or supervisor, special recognitions and awards, or anything else that shows your suitability for the position.
• Invest in a leather portfolio case and plastic sheet covers for interviewing. Also consider creating mini-portfolios with your resume and work samples to leave with the interviewer.
• Digital and Web portfolios are a good pre-interview tool, but should be used in addition to, not instead of, the physical portfolio.

University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication Office of Internships and Assessment -- E314 Adler Journalism Building
telephone: 335-1406
jmc-internships@.uiowa.edu