A professional portfolio is a collection of documents highlighting your achievements, training, education and skills. In the past, portfolios were presented in binders, but electronic--or ePortfolios--are becoming more common. Professional ePortfolios present both benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

An electronic portfolio requires a fraction of the physical storage space needed for a printed portfolio. It can be saved on a hard drive, website, CD or other external storage device. An ePortfolio can be emailed to potential employers, is easy to duplicate and does not show wear and tear like printed materials. Electronic portfolios can also be enhanced with sound, images and interactive elements.

Cons

Software conflicts when viewing documents are a potential problem with ePortfolios, as are large file sizes that can overwhelm a potential employer’s email account. An ePortfolio can also be difficult to use during a job interview if you do not have access to a computer. Finally, if your work is not already in electronic form, it will need to be scanned and formatted for inclusion in your ePortfolio.

Considerations

Your portfolio needs to present a complete and accurate picture of your skills and training. It is a reflection of you, so take your time making sure it comes across as professionally as possible.