Posted on: February 21, 2006
by Mark W. Anderson
Whether looking to become a writer or an editor, a freelancer or a staff member, a daily newspaper journalist or a longer-form magazine feature writer, at some point you will be asked to show your portfolio. If you're lucky, and you are in demand, you'll have to do it repeatedly. Unfortunately, far too many students and even working professionals treat the chance to show off their portfolio as more of an afterthought than as a chance to shine.
The easiest and most successful way to think of presenting your portfolio is as a business transaction. Every assignment editor or human resources professional who asks for your portfolio has the potential to hire you. And in a world of fierce competition, a well-thought out and well-presented portfolio can make the difference between getting hired or being dropped into the "no" pile.
Thankfully, there are a few straightforward steps that, if used consistently, can significantly increase your chances for being hired:
- Place your clips in context: The location of an article can be as important as the content. When preparing a clip for presentation, make sure to provide the entire clip, even if you're not happy about the editing or how the work ends. Also include a graphic representation of the publication's masthead, department, and pages the clip appeared on, instead of simply cutting out your words (or work) alone. An editor is interested not only in what you wrote, but also for whom, even though he or she may not be familiar with the publication.
- Use originals whenever possible: Make it a point to save at least two pristine originals for your portfolio. Put one in your (bound) presentation portfolio, keep one for your files, and make multiple, sharp color copies (.jpegs or .pdfs). That way, your clips show all of the color, font, typeface and clarity of the originals. Nothing says "I don't care" like a poorly photocopied clip. When asked to send a clip electronically, use the .jpeg or .pdf for maximum effect. If your original was published online, make sure you not only print two quality copies of your work, but also save an html copy on disk or cd, because that page might not always remain an active link.
- Organize your portfolio by department: For your clip book, organize your clips either by theme, publication, type of writing (or editing), or chronology. A well-thought-out clip book should show professional progression, expertise and flexibility, and not just be a jumble of random clips.
- Prepare "leave behinds": Most successful face to face meetings will result in the interviewer asking to keep a copy or two of your best clips. Be prepared with sharp color copies for this purpose.
- Put your portfolio online: Often, .jpeg or .pdf files of your clips can be large, which can cause a problem when attempting to send them via e-mail. By placing a copy of the file online, on a personal website or with a free hosting service, you can send links to your clips in an e-mail for interviewers to review at their convenience.
- Tailor to fit: There are two schools of thought when it comes to what clips a writer or editor should send: your best work or the best fit. Few editors (or potential hiring executives) are going to be impressed by an all-around talented person what they want to see is how you will fit into their needs. For this purpose, carefully select what clips based on what kind of writing or editing is required. As you gain additional clips for your portfolio, think about the purpose they can serve, who you're likely to send them to, and for what type of jobs.
- Of course, jobs and assignments are often won or lost by factors beyond what a portfolio looks like or how sample clips are delivered. But when faced with an opportunity to gain work, how you present your past efforts goes a long way in telling a potential editor or hiring executive who you are and how you?re likely to perform in the future. A well-executed, professionally organized and delivered portfolio can help tell your story just when you might need it most.
Mark Anderson is a 2006 graduate of Columbia's Journalism program, but also an experienced industry writer /editor currently working as a Sr Financial Writer with Imagine Publishing. His writing has also appeared in The Chicago Reader and the Ohio Free Press.
