What is a Portfolio?

Portfolios are used to provide evidence to an employer of your skills, talent, accomplishments and abilities. They are a showcase of your chosen work that best demonstrates your creative potential, or what ever you think the employer is looking for.
Portfolios are concrete evidence that presents your professional and personal achievements. Types of portfolios are, ring bound file, printed, online, CD, DVD, Presentation. Each type comes with it's advantages and disadvantages, you decide on which best suites the clients needs. (i.e DVD is easy to carry, online for over seas etc)
Example of an online portfolio

Online portfolios are good in that anyone from across the world can view your work. Negatives are that there are so many online portfolios out there that, not all get viewed by potential employers. Also there are different languages in many other countries, so what you put out there might not be able to read.
Digital portfolios are very handy to take to an interview, because they are small (on, CD, DVD, pen drive etc) however disadvantages are, soft wear might not be compatible with the interviewers computer. Also if you are showing print/illustrations etc, it can be hard to demonstrated the 'hand made/ paper quality' when turned into digital copy.
Ring bound portfolios are great for showing your original drawings and any hand made 2D projects. However problems include, weight- can be very heavy, need to take a long time considering mounting and making sure it looks clean and presentable. Also you can't leave it with the interviewer/ possible employer unlike a digital copy.

What is a CV?

A CV is a factual record, summarizing your up to date academic achievement and work history. An applicant may offer the interviewer their CV to provide information of their skills and qualifications relating to the applied position.
CV's are useful to summarize yourself to an employer and sell yourself!
The CV may also include what you are hoping to gain/achieve with the applied placement. Also what sort of position you see yourself working in. Also give an idea of what area of graphic design you are accustom with.

Essential with in a CV are...
Name, DOB, Contact details, education and training, career profile and achievements.
A graphic designer also needs
Portfolio, career ambitions, strengths, skills and perhaps influential artists/designers.

Sample of a Graphic Designer's CV

Millicent Alison Altar,
23 Alison Drive,
Atlanta, Georgia
Telephone No: 234 2343 23
Mobile No: 334 54 343
Email Address: miilialisonaltar@mailing.com
Career Objective:


Creative, innovative and imaginative graphic designer seeking position in a printing company that is dynamic. The position should offer the opportunity for growth within the company and advancement as a graphic designer. The position should also allow the application skills in creative and innovative approaches to graphic design gained over the 5 years of professional experience in the field.
Educational Background:
Diploma in Graphic Design Georgia Polytechnic 2004 – 2006
BA in Fine Arts Atlanta University 2000 – 2004
Professional Experience:
2007 – 2008: Senior Graphic Designer at Logic Incorporated
Responsibilities:

Head of design team
Distributed and supervised design projects
Organized design teams for different projects by assigning the designers with the skills required for the specific tasks to the appropriate design teams
Ensured that design teams met their deadlines and produced high quality work
Oversaw the acquiring of the appropriate materials for the completion of different design projects
Sought and maintained clients
2006 – Jan 2007 Graphic Designer at Illogic Designs
Responsibilities:

Completion of design projects as handed to the assigned design team
Preparation of design project proposals for presentation to clients
Presentation of design project proposals to both new and old clients
Achievements:

Head of design team at Illogical Designs for two years
Part of the editorial team of the Fine Arts Editorial at Georgia polytechnic
Head of the Design team of the Atlanta Mist Campus Magazine for two years at Atlanta University
Holder of the Atlanta scholarship for fine arts undergraduate students for four years
Participated in intramural sports and was the head of the Ki Alpha sorority sports team in the university games