How to Rock Your Portfolio Review
Nervous about the Portfolio Reviews? Don’t worry – we’ve got your back!
Finding the Perfect Power Outfit
It’s undeniable that your attire influences how you feel. Clothing is often compared to armor and the perfect power outfit can completely alter your mood, behavior, and confidence. During the portfolio reviews, the reviewers will be critiquing how you present yourself, as well as your work. It’s important to feel comfortable and secure in what you’re wearing so you can reach your maximum confidence level.
You’ll find some recommendations for appropriate attire in the Student Information section, but let’s recap. The portfolio reviews should be treated as an interview; therefore, you should be dressing business professional.
- If you have a full suit with matching pants and jacket, we recommend wearing it.
- If not, dress pants, a pressed, collared shirt and solid tie is appropriate. There is no need to purchase a full suit for reviews. You might consider an investment in a suit, however, to use not just in the reviews, but for job interviews going forward. (Hint: A great suit makes a nice graduation gift.)
- Dark leather shoes and dress socks are the best footwear option.
- Please don’t wear excessive cologne.
- Skirts should rest at or below the knee with nude pantyhose.
- If you feel comfortable and confident in heels, feel free to wear them. Avoid too-high stiletto heels or platforms, though. You don’t want your shoe choice to be a distraction. Otherwise, we recommend flats or other dress shoes as an alternative.
- Make-up, hair and jewelry should be simple. Please don’t wear an overbearing perfume.
While it’s important to dress appropriately, there is no reason to spend a lot of money on new clothes for the portfolio reviews. If you do want to buy something new, there are several inexpensive places to shop within Eugene. Personally, I love the Nordstrom Rack at Oakway Center. Or, you could try the J.Crew Mercantile that is right next door. Macy’s, H&M, and LOFT at Valley River Center would also likely have some great pieces at a low cost.
The best way to shine during the portfolio reviews is through confidence. Put on a great outfit, stand tall, and walk into the room with confidence and you’ll be sure to impress your reviewers. You’ve done some incredible work, be proud of yourself!
By: Bobbie Shrum
Account Executive, Allen Hall Public Relations
Where to Begin
Start preparing well in advance. A portfolio review is a professional showcase of your work with qualified experts. You should give yourself plenty of time to prepare and alter your portfolio in the weeks leading up to the review.
Showcase a variety of your skills. Include portfolio pieces that demonstrate your diverse talents and interests. By presenting a broad spectrum of your work you will receive feedback on all of your skills.
Presentation matters. A ring-bound notebook with clear protective sheet coverings for each page is the great way to organize your portfolio. This protects your work as well as looks polished and clean.
Research the reviewers. It’s helpful to come in knowing a thing or two about your reviewers. Being knowledgeable about their backgrounds will help you understand where their feedback is coming from.
Be thoughtful about the design of your portfolio. Artistic presentation matters just as much as content. This is not a scrapbook. Keep it clean, organized, and professional.
Show your personality! What you emphasize in your portfolio can give a glimpse into your interests and strengths. Use this as an opportunity to make yourself stand out rather than emulating example portfolios you’ve seen.
By: Hayden Skoch
Account Executive, Allen Hall Public Relations
Getting Started: InDesign vs. PowerPoint
The term continues to move forward and portfolio reviews are in the near future. You’re trying to act calm and collected on the outside, but you’re freaking out because you haven’t started your portfolio yet and don’t know where to begin. Don’t worry! You still have time, but you should start laying the foundation of the portfolio by designing your layout on either InDesign or PowerPoint.
If you’re not sure which to choose and you’re still saying to yourself, “Ahhh I’m so lost. Do I use InDesign? Do I use PowerPoint? Will I be marked down if I use one or the other? Somebody help me!!!”
The important thing to remember when deciding between the two programs is that there’s no right answer. Both InDesign and PowerPoint are great programs that can allow you to make an exceptional portfolio. The key to getting started is choosing the program that you’re more comfortable with.
InDesign
Adobe’s InDesign has many amazing features for design and creating portfolios. It can certainly be overwhelming for someone who has never used it. If you’ve never used InDesign or are still struggling to understand it, don’t feel pressured into needing to create your portfolio with it. Just because there are kids in your class with impressive InDesign skills doesn’t mean you need to have the same portfolio as they do.
Beginners video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzE6nZofaI0
PowerPoint
Many people overlook the idea of using PowerPoint because they’ve only ever used it for creating presentations, but it’s a great resource for designing a portfolio, as well. It’s a very simple and straightforward program that you’ve probably used quite a bit at this point in your college career. If you choose to use PowerPoint, the first thing you’ll need to do is change the page orientation.
- Select the slide
- Go to “File” in the top corner of the screen
- Scroll down to the bottom and click “Page Setup”
- Switch the orientation from horizontal to vertical
Beginners video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy_vaiuXAs4
Portfolios can be used after the reviews in job interviews and other scenarios in which you want to show your skills. Don’t look at this as just another class assignment, but rather a tool you’ll be able to use for finding job opportunities. The more time and effort you put into it the better.
Each portfolio is unique and crafted specifically to each student. Don’t try and do what the person next to you is doing. Stick with what you know and what will allow you to showcase your best work. Just be you and make something that exemplifies who you are, the work you’ve accomplished and the direction you plan to take your career.
Be proud of the portfolio you create!
By: Ethan Dagenais
Account Executive, Allen Hall Public Relations