I’m gearing up for my presentation about professional portfolios that I’ll be doing at the Society for Technical Communication’s Summit to be held May 4-6, 2009. One of the first questions asked every time I do this presentation, is

How do I showcase my skills when much of my work has been on proprietary projects?

Here is my standard advice:

• Don’t! If the projects you’re working on are restricted by proprietary agreements, you really can’t show them.
• Volunteer! Countless professional organizations and nonprofits desperately need your skills. Ask around to see if anyone needs a little help in areas you want to showcase in your portfolio. It’s a win-win situation.
• Negotiate! During the hiring process, talk about what you will and will not be able to include in your portfolio.
• Ask! Ask your employer if you can use particular parts of projects and how you can use them.
• Get it in Writing! People and companies can be litigious. It’s always a good idea to cover your assets!
• Be transparent! Be open with your employer about what you’re putting in your portfolio fodder file. Collect your pieces regularly and from the beginning of your employment. Trust me, we know when you’re getting ready to change jobs and you making a mad dash of copying files is just one of many indicators.
• Redact! Often you can sanitize a document and make it perfect fodder for your portfolio by taking out all identifying information.
• Rework! Redo elements of the projects that show your skills for company X.

I posted this question in several different venues and this is what other professionals from both sides of the table had to say. [Read more...]