In the Telecommunications field how important was your portfolio?

Every situation is different. I started at Verizon 18 years ago with no telecom experience. But I had some other technical experience which helped me get into the entry level door, then I worked my way up. In general I think you should find some way to highlight whatever positives you can bring, which might include other experience, or if you are just starting out it might focus on your education. There might be some specific jobs where specific experience is a must, but I think there are lots of ways to proceed so I think it matters most how you present yourself and focus on all the upsides. ;-)

Hi Noah,

If in Telecommunication you are looking at companies like ATT,Verizon,Comcast etc. the portfolio is very important. There are many opportunities at entry level which you can get in with right educational background but if seeking something higher up your experience in the industry itself is almost a must.

Rizwan

It is very different for everyone. My career with Verizon started as a temp employee a year after graduating college. It has grown since then and I started in the retail environment. I have done ranges of jobs from customer service, sales to operations all within our retail channel. The top priority for not just Verizon but for all companies (specially in Telecommunications) is the customer experience so having customer service experience really helps. I did also do some HR Recruiting and I looked for a lot of restaurant hosts and or servers because the service industry is big into the customer experience and that is what retail is all about and even our call centers and tech support.

It definitely depends on what you want to do within the Telecom industry. I've always had a portfolio, not so much to highlight what I've done, but to demonstrate my willingness to learn a varied array of skills. I've been fortunate enough to find managers who know that skills can be taught, as long as you are a capable learner. Ideally, that's the sort of boss you'd want to look for. :)

I had extensive field experience in telecom when GTE Supply recruited me to come to work for them in Atlanta. The reason I was recruited was because of a certification I have with BICSI called RCDD, (Registered Communication Distribution Designer), at the time in the 90's it was something that prospective employers were really seeking in individuals to fulfill requirements that majors players in the industry required.

In my 20 yrs plus, I have had many different roles in sales mostly. Channel Manager, Account Manager, Project Manager.

Telecom is always a very exciting field and there are lots of opportunities.

Hi Noah,

A portfolio is not required, but that would be a great opportunity to show what you have done. I was also add that bringing a 30,60, 90 plan would be a great way to show your potential employer that you have though about what you would do when you start the job. Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Carlos

It depends on the job you apply for and what the person is looking for. When I was hired I didn’t have experience in telecommunications but I was hired due to my education and experiences. I have a Bachelors in Japanese Studies with emphasis in International Business and 2nd Bachelors in Computer Science. In college I was very active with many different things which should leadership skills as well as arrange diversity abilities. After I had graduated college I worked in computer industry where I was able to do major project that improved a process resulting major cost saving for the company. When I interviewed for my first position MCI (now Verizon), it was the longest interview I have had in my life and figured it they didn’t hire me something was wrong. I meet with 3 different managers who asked me lots of questions and I was able to show them through my experiences, language skills and knowledge. While in high school see if your local Rotary club has any programs that you can par take in. In college, think outside the box in get involved with some different clubs that will allow you to learn leadership skills and experiences. While working on your degree also look into getting ITL certified and PM certified as a lot companies are looking for those certification and will benefit you even if you decide Telecom not for you. If you are more technical person, also look into CISCO certification. Good luck and hope its helps.

Hey Noah,

My e-portfolio was a great way to stand out from other candidates when going for jobs within my company. Mine includes highlights and achievements, recommendations from leadership, a brief history of my time within the company, and a passion section where I gave them a hobby that shows a little of who I am as a person and how it relates to the position I'm after.

In the entry level ranks the portfolio didn't matter much in my experience but once you start moving beyond that it really helps you sell your brand and leave a mark on the interviewers. Not only does it show them who you are, but depending on the complexity of the portfolio it can show your skills with the programs needed for the job (such as PowerPoint). It's also a great way to keep track of important achievements and the specific numbers tied to them.

Hi Noah,

I was an "A" student in middle school and high school and I knew that I wanted to go into telecommunications, but I wasn't mentally prepared to go to college. So I went into the military as a wire systems maintainer (basically, a telephone man) to get some hands on knowledge. While in the military I learned wire and cable systems, telecommunication typographies and some basic IT fundamentals. I participated in hundreds of training exercises and a few real time deployments that helped to hone my skills, knowledge and experience. As I was preparing to leave the military, I put out my resume and received quite a few job offers from private and governmental agencies. Even when I came to work for Bell Atlantic (now Verizon), I learned a lot by way of On the Job Training (OJT) before I received any formal training. Therefore, real life experiences in your field of concentration is just as important as the training you receive. Learn all that you can about your chosen career, but get as much practical and applicable experience as well.

All the best to you,
Ty

For most 'Field' jobs, a portfolio is not necessary however as the industry becomes more automated and data driven we are finding that it is recommended more and more.