Any suggestions for ePortfolio?

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 20, 2013

One suggestion I have for anyone using an e-portfolio is to think carefully about the image you will project there -- and how you might not be able to tailor it for each separate job application. You might need separate portfolios for each prospective employer. That is a big disadvantage of e-portfolios.

For example, I was part of a team looking to hire a nurse with an MSN for a staff education position. Her application included links to an e-portfolio (run by her school). In that portfolio, she discussed her desire to be a NP and other things that did not pertain to the specific job that we were trying to fill. She had a lot of explaining to do during her interview because her portfolio materials did not match perfectly with our job. She did a great job and got the position, but she would have been better off to not show us that e-portfolio. A simple resume and cover letter tailored to suit OUR job would have served her better because it wouldn't have raised our suspicions that she really wanted another career track.

So think about what you put in there -- if you talk about how much you like working with children ... or maternity patients ... etc. -- that will not help you land an adult med/surg job. In fact it might hurt you. If you talk about how much you like working with the elderly, or with adult med/surg patients ... that won't help you land a peds job. etc.

So keep it very general ... or limit the people who will see it to only those prospective employers that match your portfolio content ... or make separate portfolios for different applications. Employers are looking for the "best match" -- and so each appliation should be tailored specifically for the specific job.