Chuck the Resume

Bob Weinstein is a journalist who covers technology, project management, the workplace and career development.

  Career Development  

Project managers searching for a new job have compiled an impressive list of accomplishments. The traditional method for presenting them is to squash them into a two-page resume format, which can be a daunting task if you have 10-plus years of PM experience.

Lawrence Alter, president of L.D.A. Enterprises, Ltd., a Minneapolis-based outplacement and executive search firm, advocates chucking the resume and using a portfolio instead. He says it's more effective for selling your credentials. Find out why, along with tips on how to put together a portfolio you can be proud of.

Just because there are hundreds of resume books circulating doesn't mean it's the best path for presenting your credentials. In contrast, there are only about a dozen books about how to craft a portfolio as a selling tool that PMs ought to consider. Here's why:

Why a portfolio?   

If you think of your career as a portfolio of your work history, then you should think of the portfolio as a concise, motivating presentation of your background and, most importantly, your personal achievements. It is an "album of snapshots" highlighting everything that may be important to a potential employer.  

The portfolio is a resource that can separate you from your competitors. It provides evidence and documentation of your successes and showcases your …

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