An examination of hiring managers’ perceptions of an eportfolio as a tool for hiring college graduates

Employers have noted the competencies essential for college graduates to possess upon
entry into the workforce and the lack of workforce preparedness on the part of graduates,
especially as they relate to competencies such as teamwork and problem solving. Students, for
their part, need to convey their competencies to employers in a way that provides proof of their
competencies. In doing so, the employer can better understand that person’s capabilities and
personality.
This exploratory case study aims to examine hiring managers’ perceptions of a
hypothetical ePortfolio as a tool for hiring someone from a welding program. Ten hiring
managers in the welding industry within the Austin, Texas, metroplex were interviewed for this
case study that emphasized transferable skills, specifically teamwork and problem solving. The
results indicate that ePortfolios are a good tool for assessing potential employees. Other key
findings indicate welding and non-welding projects connected to transferable skills and the
welding industry serve as proof of possessing that competency. One challenge with ePortfolio
development resides in balancing the breadth and depth of information provided to employers.
An inductive analysis generated additional categories concerning communication, work ethic,
pictures, posing questions, and life experiences.
While generalizability is limited, the results suggest ePortfolios help employers see
potential employees’ competencies and obtain a better understanding of the “whole” person.
Workforce and non-workforce-specific educational examples helped prove the existence of
transferable skills and other attributes not specifically stated in the ePortfolio. This information
ii
underscores the importance of a well-rounded education. Future studies can compare and
contrast multiple ePortfolios or examine more in-depth information on welding knowledge and
skills with various transferable skills. Results can help determine the ratio of workforce-related
information to general education course experiences that need to be on an ePortfolio directed to
potential employers. Also, additional research on connecting experiences from projects to
competencies directly related to workforce needs can highlight curricula needs as they relate to
workforce preparedness.