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‘Show and tell’ a
competitive edge
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What is a career portfolio?
A career portfolio is a visual document or digital file that supplements your résumé, cover letter and references. It is an interviewing tool that shows your achievements and skills in a more tangible manner. Portfolios are more narrative in nature than résumés, which are more statement- (or bullet-) driven. Portfolios provide a comprehensive visual aid of your career and contain supporting materials, such as before-and-after photographs depicting renovations and other upgrades. You may store a career portfolio as a hard copy document and/or digitally on your computer or on a Web site.
You should begin compiling documents and photographs to highlight your career achievements from the beginning of your golf course management career. As your career advances, these records will support and illustrate your agronomic background and skills.
The candidate selection process has become more competitive for superintendent positions at high-end courses and multi-course facilities, director of golf positions or executive positions in golf management companies. To create a competitive edge, you need to reinforce the values you bring to the facility by providing a visual representation of the achievements reflected in your résumé and cover letter.
There is no exact science to creating a career portfolio. Each individual will have unique experiences. A table of contents (see photo and table) will keep your portfolio organized and easy for the reader to follow and locate specific information.
Finally, a few portfolio tips for organizing and setting the tone:
- Select photos carefully. Briefly describe each photo, calling attention to salient details.Make sure the photos are of high enough quality to see the featured details.
- The primary consideration when choosing materials is if the facility will value the featured accomplishments.
- Submit your portfolio to the hiring manager after you have been contacted to schedule an interview.
Your portfolio is more than a listing of experiences: It highlights your achievements to interest the facility. Along with your other career achievements, the portfolio will ultimately convince an employer that you are the best candidate for the job.
Table of Contents
I. Work Philosophy
II. Career Goals
III. Résumé/References
IV. Skill Areas
A. Skill sets
B. Work samples
C. Current job-related projects (videos, CDs, links to Web sites, etc.)
D. Past job-related projects
E. Written articles
V. Letters of Recommendation
VI. Certificates/Honors and Awards
VII. Professional Memberships
VIII. Community Service Activities
John P. Cunningham, CGCS, has been named director of golf course and landscape operations at Four Seasons Resort and Club, Dallas at Las Colinas. Cunningham, a 20-year veteran in the golf course management industry, will manage the entire landscape operation of the 400-acre resort, which includes two 18-hole championship golf courses, Cottonwood Valley and TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas. The resort hosts the annual EDS Byron Nelson Championship, a PGA Tour event. Previously, he served as manager of Black Diamond Ranch CC in Lecanto, Fla. Cunningham won the GCSAA/BASF Innovative Superintendent award in 2006 and has served on the board of directors of the Seven Rivers GCSA since 2003. |
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