Group Tutorial Prep No. 2

What is a CV?

In layman's terms a CV is a summary of someone's academic and work history personal to them.
The document may contain a summary or listing of relevant work experience, responsibilities, awards and education. These may be tailored towards a specific job / post when writing a CV so there is a strong emphasis on relevant skills relating to the position being applied for.
A CV could also be seen as a personal marketing tool to 'sell' your skills and experience to a potential employer.
Above all it is a summarised reflection of you.


What should a CV contain?

Your name
Contact details
Career profile
A link to a portfolio / website
Strengths/Skills
Education and training

Work experience and achievements to date
Interests

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What is a portfolio?


A portfolio is an organised showcase of your personal skills / talents / creativity / thinking through the selection and display of work and jobs.
This selection could include series of pieces of creative work collected from work or personal projects to be shown to potential clients or employers.
A graphic design portfolio, whether physical or digital, is constructed to show real examples of work you have produced. It aims to provide prospective clients / employers a demonstration of your ability, the type of work you produce and the standard at which you produce it.
Work included in a portfolio can be edited to suit an interview situation, for example including more print based projects for a print job interview then swapping for more digital work when being interviewed for a screen based project.  
There are two main ways to present a portfolio, digitally and physically; the former being hosted on a website (providing exposure instantly to the world) or burnt to a CD/DVD (to be distributed), the latter printed and presented in some way (presentation case or bound portfolio book - to be used in face to face interviews). 
Above all, a well selected organised portfolio should provide proof to an employer of your accomplishments and skills whilst documenting the breadth and quality of your experience and training.