A Look Into The Future

Right now, many employers are still not using e-portfolios. After a survey of 5,310 employers, a few reasons were identified to explain why employers are not using e-portfolios. Some of the reasons stated included costs and time constraints, but the overwhelming majority of them said that they simply weren’t familiar with e-portfolios yet! (Ward & Moser, 2008)

E-portfolios are still a relatively new development. They have been used in educational settings for a while, but they have only begun to be used in the hiring process within the last few years. Therefore, many employers may not have encountered them yet. However, they have many great advantages and can help improve the screening process. As more people become aware of them through word of mouth or support from Universities, more employers will begin seeing the importance of them in the hiring process. 

In addition, many companies are still resistant to new technologies and hiring practices, but as time goes on, they may become more accepting of different techniques. As new technologies are developed, especially in the area of human resources management, then the problems of costs and time constraints may diminish as well. “The impact of technology . . . has enabled HR to decrease its involvement in transactional (administrative) activities” (Dessler, Cole, & Chhinzer, 2014, p. 58). If this increasing technological trend continues, then hiring managers may find themselves with even more time to look at e-portfolios. 

In addition to that, if we see “further technical development and subsequent incorporation of e-portfolio related functions into recruitment-systems” (Strohmeier, 2010, p. 277), then we could also see a dramatic increase in e-portfolio acceptance in the future.

REFERENCES

Dessler, G., Cole, N., & Chhinzer, N. (2014). Human Resources Management In Canada (Canadian 12 ed.). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.

Strohmeier, S. (2010). Electronic Portfolios In Recruiting: A Conceptual Analysis Of Usage. Electronic Commerce Research,11, 268-280. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from http://web.csulb.edu/journals/jecr/issues/20104/Paper2.pdf

Ward, C., & Moser, C. (2008, November 17). E-Portfolios As A Hiring Tool: Do Employers Really Care? Retrieved October 15, 2015, from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2008/11/eportfolios-as-a-hiring-tool-do-employers-really-care

Limitations Of E-Portfolios

Despite the advantages that e-portfolios give to both employers and job seekers, there are still many limitations to their use. For example, according to Stefan Strohmeier, a “portfolio should be customized towards the specific organizational information needs”, but the “information requirements distinctly differ depending on specific jobs, organizations, and even recruiters” (2010, p. 271). 

This means that developing an e-portfolio may not be as easy as it appears at first, and it can be difficult to customize it, especially if you don’t have a lot of time and are applying for many different jobs. However, if you are applying to different organizations for a very specific job, then the process may be easier to standardize. 

Another issue that many employers might encounter while dealing with e-portfolios is the problem of authentication. Despite many laws and policies governing plagiarism, companies could still encounter “artifact fakes, artifact plagiarism, or artifact ‘ghost-writing’” (Strohmeier, 2010, p. 271). It can be difficult for employers to determine if what is in your e-portfolio is authentic and if they were truly your own work or accomplishments. This could make many employers hesitant to accept e-portfolios. However, changes in technology are making it easier than ever to check for things like plagiarism. 

Another limitation to e-portfolios is that they may never be seen by a hiring manager. In large organizations where a single job posting receives hundreds, or even thousands, of applicants, specific screening technology may be used. This technology may not take in to account the existence of an e-portfolio, and it may never even be seen. Situations like these make the actual application, cover letter, and résumé just as important as the e-portfolio. 

REFERENCES

Strohmeier, S. (2010). Electronic Portfolios In Recruiting: A Conceptual Analysis Of Usage. Electronic Commerce Research,11, 268-280. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from http://web.csulb.edu/journals/jecr/issues/20104/Paper2.pdf

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Advantages Of An E-Portfolio

E-portfolios have many advantages for both employers and users. According to McMillan, Parker, and Sport, “a student-developed website clearly demonstrates web writing skills” (2014). It also demonstrates a good grasp of technology and can demonstrate significant marketing skills as well. While this may be more important in some industries rather than others, a demonstration of good writing skills is never a bad thing.

They also state that an e-portfolio can be used in multiple stages of the hiring process, such as to “prescreen candidates” or to use it closer to the final decision between candidates in order to help demonstrate “a job applicant’s characteristics and potential for career development” (McMillan, Parker, & Sport, 2014). There are many different spots in the hiring process that an e-portfolio can be used, making it extremely versatile. One could even argue that it is becoming more versatile and relevant than the résumé itself!

The e-portfolio also offers many advantages to the students using them. In a world where competition for jobs is fierce, “including the e-portfolio URL on business cards, a résumé, or a cover letter becomes a point of distinction for students and often a competitive advantage” (McMillan, Parker, & Sport, 2014). Even if employers don’t look for e-portfolios or don’t have time to look fully through all your work, simply having one available could show them that you’ve put in a lot of effort and truly want the job. It is something that could make you stick out from the hundreds of other résumés and cover letters that a hiring manager must look through.

REFERENCES

McMillan, L., Parker, F., & Sport, A. (2014). Decisions, decisions! E-portfolio as an effective hiring assessment tool. Nursing Management,45, 52-54. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from  http://journals.lww.com/nursingmanagement/Fulltext/2014/04000/Decisions,_decisions__E_portfolio_as_an_effective.11.aspx

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