Writing online can help you build a portfolio if you are looking for any kind of professional writing job, whether on the Internet or off. What kind of job you are looking for will dictate the kinds of articles that your portfolio should contain.
For example: if you are searching for a job with a travel magazine, it only makes sense to have articles related to places you have visited or at least researched in depth. Keep in mind, though, that these articles should demonstrate a refreshing view of a subject many other writers may have already covered. Not only should this portfolio contain interesting places to visit, but also reviews on hotels, restaurants, and other accommodations a traveler might be interested in. This will give the person interviewing you an idea of how broad your range of writing skills are pertaining to travel.
The same holds true whether you are seeking a writing job in the health of field, education, or any other field.
You should also keep in mind the quality of workmanship the magazine or business is looking for. Just because you have an article published does not mean that it will meet someone else’s standards. You should copy and thoroughly review any article that you intend to place in your portfolio for viewing . If you find a mistake that was overlooked at the time of publication, make sure you edit that mistake in the online document, then copy it again after the correction is made, so that the article in the portfolio is as perfect as you can make it.
Limit the number of articles you intend to take with you on the interview. Ten or fifteen high-quality articles should show the kind of work you are capable of without overwhelming the interviewer.
These articles should be from a number of writing sites if possible, so that they give the interviewer the impression that you are an active writer and that your work is highly publishable.
Make sure you include any work that has already been published in a print magazine, as this will prove that you are up to the task of writing magazine articles for the print medium.
Lastly, make sure that all your articles look fresh in appearance without wrinkles, dog ears, or creases, as this simply looks more professional than articles that look too "handled"–you don’t want to give the impression that you have submitted these articles to countless places and are still looking for a job!
A nice high-quality leather folder will set all your work off nicely and show that you set professional standards for yourself.
Think of your portfolio as part of yourself; you should present it with the same care to its appearance as you do your person. It is after all, an extension of your professional self.
