Professional Design Portfolio

[Pack34]

How are these normally handled / organised?

I have a fairly sized list of projects that I've accomplished and I would like to showcase them to potential employers, I'm just unsure of the proper way to go about doing this? The vast majority of my work has been done for my employer so I cannot throw them in a PDF and forward it along. Is the common practice to mention that I have a portfolio to share in the cover letter, and then bring the designs with me if I'm invited to an interview? Or is the only real way to go about doing this is to start a professional blog about individual designs and information not tied to my current employer?

[dfmischler]

In my experience, during the interview somebody says, "Tell me about what you've been working on...".  And you do, within the limits of protecting your employer's trade secrets, and security classifications (if any) etc.

[Pack34]

In my experience, during the interview somebody says, "Tell me about what you've been working on...".  And you do, within the limits of protecting your employer's trade secrets, and security classifications (if any) etc.

I've heard Dave and Chris mentioning that if you don't have anything to show off you aren't going to get the job. I had always assumed that it was more physical schematic and design documents than oral explanation. 

Trade-secrets is a big thing I want o make sure I don't violate. It would only prove to bite me in the end if I'm too liberal with it.

[nctnico]

Hobby projects do look good on your resume. Employers like people who are (obviously) broadening their horizons in their spare time.

[free_electron]

I keep 1 blank board of everything i ever made.  And i have a few finished products as well.
I have a whole wall in my garage populated with pcb's if designed. If anyone wants to see my credentials ill shove him a dslam linecard under his nose. 5600+ components on a 12 layer board