Portfolios and Resumes

Unit 5: Awards and Recognition
Lesson 5: Portfolios and Resumes

Delegates for the five “major” 4-H trips are selected using a portfolio process. A 4-H portfolio includes a resume, an essay and an interview. Portfolios for National 4-H Congress, WV OMC, VA Congress and Camp Miniwanca are usually due in mid January with interviews in mid February. Portfolios for National 4-H Conference are due in late October with interviews in November. Creating a resume is very beneficial for 4-Hers since it can also be used with job applications, college scholarships and more.

Resume – The resume format is the 4-Her’s choice. Members are encouraged to review several resume styles and choose the one that works best. The resume may be up to three, single spaced pages using a font of not less than 12 points and page margins of not less than one inch all around. The resume should focus on leadership, citizenship and life skills. Please help your members understand a resume is no place to be humble. Tell you members to be truthful and to write a resume that highlights their most significant accomplishments and contributions. A well-written resume will also be useful for job applications, college scholarships and more. The resume contributes up to 40 points of the portfolio score.

Essay – The essay provides an opportunity for members to creatively tell their 4-H story and may include information not in the resume. An essay theme or question is provided but is generally generic enough to not prohibit a creative writer from telling his or her story. The essay should be interesting and share how 4-H experiences have positively shaped the 4-Her’s life. The essay may be up to two double spaced pages using not less than a 12 point font and margins of not less than one inch all around. The essay contributes up to 20 points of the portfolio score.

Interview – The interview provides an opportunity for the 4-Her who may not be a strong writer to tell his/her story in person. Portfolio interviews are usually scheduled on three dates in mid February in convenient locations (Conference interviews are usually in November). A 4-Her may choose the most convenient date or place. A telephone interview may be arranged if the 4-Her is unavailable to be interviewed in person but this option can be a real challenge and should always be a “last resort”. The interview contributes up to 40 points of the portfolio score.

Interview Tips (Simulated interviews will help your 4-Hers improve their interview skills)
1. Be on time for your interview appointment. Arrive early to avoid feeling rushed.
2. Be well-groomed and appropriately dressed.
3. Smile, be friendly and make good eye contact. Try to give the appearance of being confident and comfortable in sharing your 4-H story. Be enthusiastic but not “over the top”.
4. If you don’t hear or understand a question or comment, ask for clarification.
5. Express appreciation for the interview opportunity and the interviewer’s time.

Cover Letter – The Out-of-State Trip Application is used as a cover letter and must accompany the portfolio. The application is not scored.

If you have a question or comment please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Dan Tabler at dtabler@umd.edu , or by calling 302 856-4513.

Click Maryland's Diamond Clover Award to go to the next lesson.

See www.maryland4h.org/awards for more information on portfolios
dht -01/15/07

For more information, contact Lisa Dennis

Last updated: 06/13/2009