How important will it be for employers to quickly recognize true skills and attributes in potential hires in the future?

3. Times Have CHANGED!
EMPLOYERS
want to
SEE
What YOU can DO!
IT’s TIME TO SHOW THEM
YOUR
Employment
Portfolio
To Demonstrate

5. Portfolio Styles
Traditional Portfolio – Portable binder format with sheet
protectors
E- Portfolio - Links specific pages to relevant statements
CD Portfolio - Allows access to selected receivers
Benefits
Creates a collection of organized important documents
Adaptable showcase of your accomplishments
Proves skills and abilities to potential employer
Develops over time and is portable
Provides reflective focus during interviews.

6. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Autobiographical Essay
Resume
Inventory of Training
Identification and Verification of Skills
Supporting Documentation
• Coordination of Work Placements and Skill Development Article
• Thank you Commendations (Clients)
• Letter of Attestation Alayne Cheny (Assistant)
• Letter of Attestation Jerry Raaf (Co-worker)
• University of British Columbia Transcript
• University of the Fraser Valley Substance Abuse Counselling Certificate
• University of the Fraser Valley Employment Counselling Certificate
• Vancouver Community College Provincial Instructors Diploma
• University of the Fraser Valley Adult Education Degree
• University of the Fraser Valley Deans List Award
• University of the Fraser Valley Outstanding Achievement Award
• Current Samples of Labour Market Workshops Attended
• Examples of Work – Coordination of Charity Fundraising Special Event

7. Personal Commitment To Life Long Learning
Dedicated to offering outstanding service
Professional Development
Career and Educational Narrative
During the completion of the Life Skills Certificate program in 1995, I entered my practicum with Myert Corps Inc., an agency dedicated to
improving the quality of life for young, troubled, unemployed, adults in the Abbotsford and Mission area. I learned that I really enjoyed
facilitating in a classroom and I continued to facilitate life skill workshops to youth for several years. In 1999, I graduated with a certificate in
Employment Counselor Training and then afterwards I graduated with a Provincial Instructor Diploma (PID). Each of the educational
investments I incurred have brought massive benefits to both myself and to the organization I work for. I was promoted to the responsibility
of designing curriculum, facilitating lessons, evaluating and managing the Myert Corps Inc. Career Exploration Program.
The Career Exploration program allowed me to effectively contribute into the self-sufficient development of young people’s lives.
As my quest for knowledge continued I achieved the Substance Abuse certificate in 2004. It is a daily occurrence that I see persons in my
practice that are trying to cope with the emotional roller coaster of unemployment in various self defeating patterns of behaviors. It was
during an assignment in the Substance Abuse certificate program that I discovered ‘Virginia Satir’ and enrolled in the ‘Satir Transformational
Systemic Therapy Level 1 and then into the next year onto the Level ll, advanced Therapist Training.
The area that I excel in is personal management and interpersonal communications. One of my most meaningful life lessons has been to
integrate the concept that I can create the kind of life I desire by utilizing my most important values as a compass to make my daily choices.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge and inspirations with others and I feel motivated by the stimulation of learning and growing. My goal was to
achieve the Adult Education degree, and now that I have, I am on to completing the Master of Education in Vocational Rehabilitation from
UBC and I will continue to help workers return to work. Even when there are challenges to resolve, my clients consistently recognize me as
being genuine, enthusiastic, optimistic and highly skilled.
In conclusion, I would like to say that I think that the success in helping others return to work is not about the Vocational Counsellor
directing the client’s actions, but rather that success is providing the client with the vision of hope and the opportunity to discover their
strengths, so that can help themselves.

8. Review the employers job description and
prepare relevant skill statements to SHOW
rather than just tell, how you have these
related skills.
CRITERIA SKILL STATEMENT
Communication: Demonstrates effectiveness in speech and in writing
Concisely documents Prepared government funding proposals, youth work experience newsletter s, lesson plans, brochures,
presentation of ideas
critical incident reports and follow-up notes in government data collection system (Contact Four).
Designed an eighteen chapter Life Skills Manual
Designed and coordinated 3 simultaneously implemented monthly classroom and work experience
schedules
Communication ability Employs presentation speaking to groups, identifying audience needs in order to deliver information
creatively, effectively and at audiences’ level.
Assesses developmental level of youth and adults utilizing career assessments. Formulates professional
opinion by analyzing & assessing data collected from career assessments. Utilizes career assessment
information to present professional recommendations.
Creates strengths/needs action plan for specific clientele. Utilized collected data to revise or modify
activities to meet clients needs
Demonstrates the ability to Incorporates effective communication strategies to establish and maintain professional connections
work well with others
through the practice of critical thinking along with active listening to analyze message and provide
appropriate feedback.
Integrates and incorporates relevant knowledge from a variety of experiences and relates that knowledge
to new situations
Compiles relevant information from other professionals, incorporating insights to build a comprehensive
overview of a client’s abilities and needs during case conferences or team meetings

9. Focus on the Employer’s NEEDS –
Give them examples to SHOW how
Your “SKILLS SPEAK for THEMSELVES”
CRITERIA SKILL STATEMENT
Problem Contextualizes problems using sophisticated analysis
Solving:
Frames problems in Incorporates leadership qualities to carry out policies and provides guidance to staff members. Able to
analytical and
practical terms evaluate information by identifying key issues to formulate conclusions based on practical judgment,
experience, and common sense. Self motivated strategic researcher, implementing extensive knowledge
of resources to resolve complex problems and achieve organizational goals.
Demonstrates Assesses situations and utilizes innovative problem-solving and critical thinking strategies to mediate
decision making
capabilities and resolve issues. Knows how to say “NO” gracefully without antagonizing others. Versatile,
enthusiastic and result-oriented.
Explains problems Differentiates between genuine bio-psychosocial back to work challenges and behavioral manipulation
in proactive,
insightful and by utilizing extensive knowledge and expertise in these areas. Encourages positive rather than negative
professional way viewpoint. Carries out all responsibilities and actions in a purposeful manner.
Builds productive Excellent listening skills developed by active inquiry, engaging responsive collaborative relationships
working
relationships with with clients and other professionals regarding the most appropriate way to return a client with special
employers and needs back to work. Can be relied upon to get the job done and is able to avoid costly mistakes that
outside agencies.
Initiate and could be anticipated. Exhibits the ability to work under pressure and handle stress in an approachable,
integrates problem- flexible, committed nature.
solving in a
professional manner

10. Experience
What you could put in this
section:
• Your specific employment
targeting resumes
• Job descriptions that relate to
the position
• Customer satisfaction
evaluations
• Problem solving examples
• Leadership examples
• Experience examples that
highlight your work skills and
abilities

11. Inventory Of Training
• Adult Ed. BA, U.F.V. = Achieved 3.87 Average (Honours)
• Generations and the Labour Market - Christian Saint Cyr = 6 Hours of Training
• Responding with Respect - Canadian Mental Health Association = 6 Hours of Training
Prepare
• Metaphors For Change, Dr. Norm Admundson = 3 Hours of Training
• Key Principles Of Community Capacity Building, Rick Roberts = 3 Hours of Training
• MBTI Qualified, Psychometrics MBTI Qualification Program = 50 Hours of Training
• Chance, Change and Challenge = John D. Krumboltz, Ph.D. & Leigh Quesnel, Ph.D. = 14 Hours of Training
• Satir Systemic Therapy Level’s l & ll- Satir Pacific Institute, Dr. John Banmen = 120 Hours of Training
• Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate - U.C.F.V. = 180 Hours of Training
• Provincial Instructor Diploma - V.C.C. = 180 Hours of Training
a list of
• Employment Counseling Training Certificate - U.C.F.V.= 180 Hours of Training
• Life Skills Coach Certificate - U.C.F.V. = 180 Hours of Training
• Crisis Line Training - Mission Community Services = 20 Hours of Training, 150 Hours Volunteering
• The Circle Of Strength - Shelley Brierley, M.Ed. R.C.C. = 16 Hours of Training
• C.P.R. First Aid - St. John Standard Level/Enhanced = 16 Hours of Training
• Unemployment Addiction and Entitlement Theory - John Solano = 5 Hours of Training
• Winning Colors Instructor - Irene Woods = 8 Hours of Training
• Starting Points Training For Youth and/or Adults – MoEST- Nora Lowe = 14 Hours of Training
• Career Decision Making - Faye LaBelle U.C.F.V. = 20 Hours of Training
• Community Justice Colloquium - U.C.F.V. = 7 Hours of Training
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention - National Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc. = 30 Hours of Training
• Personality Disorders, Rudy Small - BCFFPA = 6 Hours of Training
• Self Esteem, Ginny Wilson, Education Consultant - BCFFPA = 3 Hours of Training
all of
• Suicide, Maureen Fedorus - Mental Health = 3 Hours of Training
• Child And Youth Disorders, Maureen Fedorus - Mental Health = 5 Hours of Training
• Responsibilities Working With Continuing Custody Wards - BCFFPA = 3 Hours of Training
• Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders - BCFFPA = 5 Hours of Training
• Humorously Challenged No More, David Granirer - BCFFPA = 3 Hours of Training
• Angry Children - U.C.F.V.= 7 Hours of Training
• Self Esteem In Teens - U.C.F.V.= 7 Hours of Training
your
training.
• In Perspective Program, Attention Deficit - Benson Family Group = 30 Hours of Training
• Anger Management, & Problem Solving - Barbara Colorosso, Abbotsford = 5 Hours of Training
• Depressed Teenagers, - Melanie Scott Suicide Prevention = 3 Hours of Training
• Rage Filled Children, Kathy Schellar - BCFFPA = 5 Hours of Training
• Dealing With Disturbed And Aggressive Teenagers - BCFFPA = 3 Hours of Training
• Living With Sexually Abused Children - BCFFPA = 3 Hours of Training
• Care For The Caregiver - BCFFPA = 6 Hours of Training
• Ready Or Not, Preparation On Drugs - Mental Health = 30 Hours of Training
• Parenthood, Seize The Day - Mental Health = 7 Hours of Training
• Attachment Disorder Theory - Dr. Roy Holland, The Maples Institute = 8 Hours of Training
• Stress Management - U.C.F.V.= 5 Hours of Training
• Behavior Management Of Difficult Behaviors - U.B.C. = 3.5 Hours of Training
• Anger Management - Dr. Ron Schmidt = 5 Hours of Training
• Moving Towards Restitution - Barb Martins = 5 Hours of Training
• Understanding And Dealing With Behavior Challenges - David Creighton = 4 Hours of Training
• A.D.H.D., Strategies For Home And School - UBC = 5.7 Hours of Training
• A.D.D.S.A. - Diane Sherkin = 7 Hours of Training
• F.A.S./F.A.E. - Snap = 5 Hours of Training
• Autism, Gateway House - Mental Health = 5 Hours of Training
• Foster Parent Orientation - Ministry Of Social Services = 30 Hours of Training
• Raising Responsible Children - (Assistant Group Leader) = 30 Hour

12. Achievements
What you could put in this
section:
• Highlights of achievements
• Awards
• Newspaper articles
• Published work

13. Client Testimonials

14. Education
What you could put in
this section:
Relevance is key; select
what is important to your
employment target
• Certificates/Diplomas
• Evaluations
• Workshops attended
• Licenses

15. Education

16. References
What to put in this section:
Include Letters From:
• Co-workers and Supervisors
• Testimonials and Thank you cards
• Educator comments

17. Achievements

19. YOUR employment portfolio literally is a "portable and
purposeful, ongoing collection" of your skills, attributes
and accomplishments.
Unlike a résumé, which simply records a subjective account
of what you may
think are your skills, your
Portfolio SHOWS an employer
what can be done in the
future and backs this
statement up with
EVIDENCE!
Cheers Dawn 