Portfolio Tips

Assembling information into a portfolio telling your story and unique qualifications, emphasizing your professionalism will leave a lasting impression on hiring committees. It may prove to be the defining item in your application that sets you apart from your competition. Use this tool to further “sell” yourself to the employer.

The intent of your portfolio should be to provide information and materials that demonstrate previous programs and initiatives you have been responsible for. It should help show the strengths, experience, accomplishments, awards that were derived from these programs and initiatives. Technology allows for creative applications such as an e-portfolio or a PowerPoint presentation, but there is no definitive direction a portfolio should take. Make sure you demonstrate you have the knowledge and expertise for roles and responsibilities that you will assume in your new role. Like the cover letter, it should be customized to the job posting.

Many employers place a great deal of emphasis on success stories, seriously considering any candidate who can demonstrate where the business was when they took over, and where they took it in terms of rounds played or fiscal position.

Additionally, the adage that goes "a picture is worth a thousand words" will undoubtedly help you in the preparation of your portfolio. If you can back up the claims you have made in your cover letter and resume, it will bring a great deal of confidence to the employer that you are the ideal candidate. One angle could be to show a "commitment to excellence" through the use of before and after pictures from a previous job.

A concept that seems to work well is dividing the presentation into the different programs that will be a part of the job, in essence creating a business plan for each area of the operation. It could include some of the following:

  • Goals and philosophy
  • Special member/customer services and programs
  • Personnel Management
    • Staffing plan
    • Areas of responsibility
    • Methods for recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining personnel
    • Expectations of employees
    • Policies and procedures
  • Outside Services - programs and objectives for each of the following:
    • Golf car operation
    • Club care and storage
    • Practice range
    • Bag drop
  • Merchandising
    • Merchandising philosophy
    • Pricing philosophy and objectives
    • Special merchandising programs and services
    • Sales and promotions
    • Sample promotional flyers
    • List of proposed vendors
    • Pictures of golf shop
  • Golf activities and events
    • Objectives (men, women, couples golf, seniors, etc.)
    • Sample tournament schedule
    • Event checklist (everything the staff does for an event)
    • Sample event sheet (budget, food & beverage, golf course set up, etc.)
    • Sample tournament flyer
    • Sample event scorecard, rules sheet, hole location sheet, cart sign, etc.
    • Pictures of events (scoreboard, cart staging, sponsor signs, awards, etc.)
  • Golf Instruction and Player Development programs
    • Teaching philosophy
    • Proposed instruction programs and clinics (free and fee-based)
    • Player development and beginning golfer programs (i.e. Get Golf Ready)
    • Use of video, computer swing analysis, swing drills, teaching aids, etc.
    • Playing lessons, course management, rules of golf, golf psychology
  • Junior golf
    • Objectives
    • Clinics and player development programs
    • Events and activities
    • Parent involvement
    • Kids Play Golf Programs
    • Golf in Schools involvement
  • Miscellaneous
    • Daily play management
    • Pace of play programs
    • Handicap management
    • Club fitting
    • Club repair
    • Caddy program
    • Communications (newsletters, mailings, signage)
    • Budget and fiscal management (sample budgets, management reports)
    • Marketing and promotional programs
    • Food and beverage (if applicable)
    • Course maintenance (if applicable)
  • Additional Inclusions
    • Pictures showing performance in areas the committee has listed as a priority
    • Pictures of an appealing, well-organized shop with a professional-looking staff
    • Copies of unsolicited letters or notes of appreciation
    • Copies of articles written by or about you
    • Copies of Tournament Invitations and Notice to Competitors (Rules Sheets)

*Completed with files from the PGA of America's Job Hunter Toolki