Using Jobs for Past Employers as a Portfolio?

[Anonymous]

I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

Under the "fair use" section of the copyright law, you should be ok. I'm
doing it, just so you know I'm not too worried about it. As long as you
only show them as examples of work done, and to a limited audience of only
prospective employers, I think you're safe.

...and as always, I am not a lawyer. :O)

Good luck and...

Have fun,
Dave
--
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
..
wrote:
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

I think that by not leaving anything BEHIND after the interview, you are
okay also.

--
Mike Maloney
ACA Mgr/Job Captain
SchenkelShutlz Architecture
ACA 2008
Navisworks 5.5


"DaveS" <3crows@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:5806669@discussion.autodesk.com...
Under the "fair use" section of the copyright law, you should be ok. I'm
doing it, just so you know I'm not too worried about it. As long as you
only show them as examples of work done, and to a limited audience of only
prospective employers, I think you're safe.

...and as always, I am not a lawyer. :O)

Good luck and...

Have fun,
Dave
--
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
..
wrote:
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, I wouldn't do that.

Have fun,
Dave
--
Fear is the mind killer...
..
"MIke Maloney" wrote:
I think that by not leaving anything BEHIND after the interview, you are
okay also.

--
Mike Maloney
ACA Mgr/Job Captain
SchenkelShutlz Architecture
ACA 2008
Navisworks 5.5


"DaveS" <3crows@earthlink.net> wrote:
Under the "fair use" section of the copyright law, you should be ok. I'm
doing it, just so you know I'm not too worried about it. As long as you
only show them as examples of work done, and to a limited audience of only
prospective employers, I think you're safe.

...and as always, I am not a lawyer. :O)

Good luck and...

Have fun,
Dave
--
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
..
wrote:
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

We always ask candidates to be prepared to discuss their work on past
projects and if they can supply drawings, reports, or other visual aids -
more power to them. It's not uncommon (at least here) for folks who are at
the beginning of their career to ask for copies of stuff they worked on for
their "portfolio" and we usually give it. It's not like they can't just take
it anyway.

So to answer your question I don't think a potential employer would be upset
by you showing up with drawings. Be prepared to answer the question of how
you aquired them, however. And if you want to go the extra mile, strip the
firm and client info from the drawings leaving just the sheet titles. The
can help focus any discussion on the work you did...


wrote in message news:5806650@discussion.autodesk.com...
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

By 'don't leave anything behind' do you mean not to leave any of the drawings with the company I am applying for? In other words, attaching an AutoCAD file along with my electronically submitted resume might be a bad idea? I think I might just mention on the resume that I can bring some examples of my past work with me to the interview, that way I wouldn't be giving them the drawings. I'd definitely take off any information about the firm I work for, the client, and anything else that isn't related to the work that I did on the project personally.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I think attachments would be a bad idea. Your resume should be strong
enough to get you the interview. I would only use examples at an actual
interview, and take them with me when I left.

Have fun,
Dave
--
Fear is the mind killer...
..
wrote in message news:5806815@discussion.autodesk.com...
By 'don't leave anything behind' do you mean not to leave any of the
drawings with the company I am applying for? In other words, attaching an
AutoCAD file along with my electronically submitted resume might be a bad
idea? I think I might just mention on the resume that I can bring some
examples of my past work with me to the interview, that way I wouldn't be
giving them the drawings. I'd definitely take off any information about the
firm I work for, the client, and anything else that isn't related to the
work that I did on the project personally.

[dgorsman]

Definitely the firm and client info. Not all clients are publicly known to be working with some firms aka "confidential client". If word leaks back to the previous company you worked for the client will likely get wind of it as well.

[Anonymous]

I would understand as an employer. I need to see your work some how to
understand how well you design and are able to work with the tools.

wrote in message news:5806650@discussion.autodesk.com...
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of attaching a file to an electronic resume. If I ever ran
accross that situation, I'd be sending a DWF or PDF. NEVER a Cad file.

--
Mike Maloney
ACA Mgr/Job Captain
SchenkelShutlz Architecture
ACA 2008
Navisworks 5.5


wrote in message news:5806815@discussion.autodesk.com...
By 'don't leave anything behind' do you mean not to leave any of the
drawings with the company I am applying for? In other words, attaching an
AutoCAD file along with my electronically submitted resume might be a bad
idea? I think I might just mention on the resume that I can bring some
examples of my past work with me to the interview, that way I wouldn't be
giving them the drawings. I'd definitely take off any information about the
firm I work for, the client, and anything else that isn't related to the
work that I did on the project personally.

[Anonymous]

I want to know ClintonG's opinion.


wrote in message news:5806650@discussion.autodesk.com...
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm going to use a traditional resume and mention in the cover letter that I can bring examples to the interview, which will only include models that show what I can do in CAD and show nothing regarding the firm or the client.

[Anonymous]

In my Portfolio,
I use *plenty* of examples of my design work,
done for past employers.

I think you're safe as long as you credit the Project team in full.

If I co-designed a project,
I always credit the other Designers, Project Manager(s), Interior Designers,
Engineers, etc.
and always list who the Architect/Engineer of Record is.
This is to be sure that you are not misrepresenting yourself,
and letting your prospective employer know exactly the role you played on
each project.

If your protfolio is geared mainly toward showing that you were a
draftsperson on some nice projects, I would say the same rule would apply.
List yourself and the role you payed, inline with the other project team
members.

If you do not have a formalized portfolio,
and will just be bringing a few rolls of Drawings;
(not quite as efective at showcasing your skills, IMO BTW...)
I would suggest 1/2 size sets. No need to fumble around with Paul Bunyan
size tree trunks of paper. You may even decide to edit the contents of the
set, to only include drawings that you drew, or coordinated the Work.
If you do plan to only bring construction drawings, consider taking a few
photos of the completed project, and bring them.
and never leave them behind.

If you want to attach a digital portfiolio to your reume, cover letter, etc.
always make it a protected format like PDF, or DWF.

[Anonymous]

Did anybody use common sense and an honorable act such as removing the
customer's name and any such identifies from the drawings? Otherwise, I
agree, the fair use doctrine applies and last I heard was specifically
drafted into law
<%= Clinton Gallagher
NET csgallagher AT metromilwaukee.com
URL http://clintongallagher.metromilwaukee.com/


"DaveS" <3crows@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:5806741@discussion.autodesk.com...
Oh yeah, I wouldn't do that.

Have fun,
Dave
--
Fear is the mind killer...
..
"MIke Maloney" wrote:
I think that by not leaving anything BEHIND after the interview, you are
okay also.

--
Mike Maloney
ACA Mgr/Job Captain
SchenkelShutlz Architecture
ACA 2008
Navisworks 5.5


"DaveS" <3crows@earthlink.net> wrote:
Under the "fair use" section of the copyright law, you should be ok. I'm
doing it, just so you know I'm not too worried about it. As long as you
only show them as examples of work done, and to a limited audience of only
prospective employers, I think you're safe.

...and as always, I am not a lawyer. :O)

Good luck and...

Have fun,
Dave
--
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
..
wrote:
I'm in the process of looking for a new company to work for and putting
together my resume. I was thinking about putting together a portfolio of
some of the work I have done in the past but I'm a little skeptical about
how that would go over with a perspective employer considering the drawings
are all technically owned by my current employer. Would that be considered
bad form to show what I've worked on to a company that competes with the
company I now work for? I would think including a portfolio would only help
me get the job, but I'm not sure if it violates any copyright laws or
industry standards on account of the drawing's ownership by the company I'm
currently working for. Just wondering if anyone else in the business has
had any experience with this. Message was edited by: Discussion Admin