Note: Read >>Lesson/ Lesson8: Building the Portfolio before proceeding
Table of Contents
They Want to Meet with You!
You’ve got your foot in the door. Congratulations!
Getting to the point of an interview is quite an accomplishment. It’s a pretty good indicator that your resume, identity system, and networking efforts are successful.
So they want to meet with you. Keep in mind this as much an opportunity for you to learn about them as it is for them to learn about you. That said make sure you are prepared.
Preparing for the Interview
Research the Organization
- Go online and see what you can learn about the place.
Who currently works there? (Check LinkedIn) What are their job titles? Can you look at the work and projects they have produced? - Carefully reread the job call with the position description (if available).
- List all of the job responsibilities, duties, tasks, and functions.
- List all of the experience, skills, and knowledge required.
- List all the keywords or industry buzzwords. If there are buzzwords you are not familiar with, make sure you find out
- Review your skill set and make a list of what talents you bring to this opportunity. Try to think of examples from your past experience that showcases why you are a good fit. For example:
- Did you ever solve a problem? What were the results?
- Did you effectively manage people or systems? What were the results of your effort?
- Did you participate in decision-making or planning? What contributions did you make to the team? What were the results of your efforts?
- Did you receive any awards or bonuses or a promotion?
- Did someone in a higher position ever give you a particularly strong compliment?
- Review your Portfolio. What pieces from your work can you highlight for the opportunity at hand. Select your best work–the work you are proud of and want to discuss.
- Do you have a ‘Leave-behind?’ Make sure it is printed and ready to go.
Portfolio Review
The first interview is always the most stressful it helps to arrange mock interviews with friends to get practice and feedback. Portfolio Reviews are an excellent opportunity to practice your interviewing skills. Take advantage of every opportunity to present your portfolio and discuss your work. Show your portfolio to past teachers and classmates.
Be sure to attend the end-of-semester portfolio review. You may find additional opportunities to present your work at local professional design organizations (AIGA, SPD, ADC). Take advantage of them!
- Listen to the feedback you get.
- Identify special interests or characteristics that you bring to the work situation as well as what you would like to learn on your first job.
- You’ll want to make clear to your prospective employer that you know learning continues throughout your career.
- Discuss work that you want feedback on.
- Think about your strengths and weaknesses (we all have weaknesses), and prepare yourself to discuss them in an interview.
- Sometimes you will get an interview with someone who has no job openings but is still willing to meet with you. Take this “exploratory or informational” interview. It will be excellent practice, and you may be more relaxed if your dream job is not on the line. What’s more, this individual may help you make other connections.
- Take notes!
The more your practice talking about your work and the work you would like to pursue, the better you get at it.
The Day Of, What Will You Need?
- Test your Portfolio website to make sure it is working. Bring an offline version with you to the interview, in case the internet connection goes down.
- Take notes. Bring a notebook and pen. This will also make you look organized.
- If in person, google the address so you know exactly where you are going and how to get there ahead of time.
- If virtual, make sure you carve out a quiet and neat corner with a good internet connection (ahead of time!).
- Be on time. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. There is a good chance you might like to use the bathroom.
- Dress to impress. You should feel comfortable and confident.
- Resume. Bring at least 5 freshly printed copies of your resume.
- Business card and leave-behind. Bring at least 2 of each. Sometimes you may meet other employees.
The Interview
During the real interview, try to relax. Remember to breathe. An interview, when it really works, is a dialogue between people who are sharing information and finding common ground.
Ask questions about the organization and its projects. Be interested in them; then explain how you can help with their needs. Be attuned to the interviewer’s verbal responses and body language. Ask to see design projects of theirs. Are there projects of theirs that you are already familiar with and can mention? Feel free to mention how much you liked them.
After the Interview
Immediately after an interview, always stop to record your impressions. A follow-up note of thanks will be appreciated and is a great way to highlight key points about yourself to the interviewer. It also helps the interviewers remember you.
The Job Offer
If you are offered a job, you may be taken by surprise and neglect to negotiate. Don’t just blurt out a “yes.” Employers will respect your taking the time to consider the conditions of your employment.
- This is your opportunity to establish your market value as a designer.
- Figure out what it takes to live reasonably in the city under consideration, and don’t forget your educational loans.
- Try to find out what entry-level design salaries are in that area, and balance that information against your personal strength as a designer.
- Remember, in addition to money, other things are negotiable, such as health benefits, paid vacations, unpaid leave days, starting date, flexible hours, or months to a performance review (and hopefully a raise). You can sacrifice some of these items for others that are more important to you.
- Be clear about the offer, ask questions, and take time to consider it. Try to adjust whatever is not satisfactory now. It is important to start off a relationship with clarity and trust.
- After you accept the position, celebrate but don’t throw out your contacts. Send them a note announcing your new position.
Don’t Be Discouraged
Finding your first design job means matching your creativity and skill with an organization’s real needs. It’s a process and takes time. While discouraging, it is completely normal for the first opportunity, and even the second and third, not to work out. Each will bring you insight and serve you as a valuable learning experience. While you are looking, you are learning about the various ways design is practiced.
Your next job search, whether soon or off in the future, will be easier. You will have gained a clearer vision of the field and how you want to position yourself within it. Remember to communicate, follow up, and be courteous. Even if the opportunity does not work out you will take away valuable information, increased confidence, and satisfaction that will serve you well in the future.
