gerry
Private Eye
Posts: 453
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Post by gerry on Apr 11, 2007 16:33:07 GMT -5
I got me an interview with a small family owned business as a gig for a part-time graphic designer.
Now that is pretty much all I know about the job. Now my issues: I don't know what to do.
I don't have a portfolio. I have never had a design job before. Would it be better to: walk in with a smattering of stuff I created, but isn't professionally related in any way (stuff like banners) or: walk in empty handed?
What are some common questions that they would ask, and what is the best way to answer them?
Generally, what is expected of me to dress like? Obviously not a t-shirt, but a tie seems like overkill, especially on a Sunday.
What is an appropriate wage to request? For a comparison, the average retail clerk makes 8.00-10.00 an hour here locally. Keep in mind I have NO work experience.
Any other suggestions would be helpful. I would love to have a job I don't hate.
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Post by tvilike admin on Apr 11, 2007 18:38:09 GMT -5
Try to find out more about the company like what it is they do whether it's print work or design stuff.... It good to know what type of business you are applying for and what it is they do in the graphic field. It will show them that you really did your home work and are interested in the working for them. It going to be tough to not having any experience in the field and no portfolio, but everybody's got to start somewhere. Do you mess around with any type of graphic programs? If you do mention them in the interview and tell them even though you lack the experience you are an eager learner who is willing to learn anything if given the opportunity.Try to polish your resume and from here to Sunday try to put together some kind of portfolio to show them even though you lack the experience you have some skill and design ability by showing them something. Try to pick up a magazine and look at is and use it as a guide to try to create the cover yourself but in your style. That one piece.... Pick up a business card and try to design your own type of business card using the real card as reference. While you at it create a whole business set..Business Card, Flier, Pamphlet. That's a second piece....Next grab a baseball card or some type of print media and use it as reference and try to create it and continue to do this with alot of the stuff you have laying around your house that is print media. Try to put at least 6-10 pieces and get yourself one of those black portfolio cases that they have at a art store with the clear pages so you can show of the stuff. Presentation is key.... Dress business casual with nice shoes....1st impressions are key.... During the interview keep direct eye contact with the interviewer.... Ask as many questions regarding the job and what type of work you will be doing, what is their starting salary for part time entry level. Having experience allows you to demand the starting rate of a entry level graphic designer or have a leverage at negotiating what you want. You should get between $15 dollars an hour - $30 dollars for entry level but it all so depends if it is a big company...If it's a family owned company it might not bring in as a huge market as a big company would. Don't walk in to the interview flashing your portfolio...enter the interview and greet the person and mid way through the interview you can tell them that you would like to present your portfolio to them. As for practical advice. It's just the usual stuff, build on your strengths. OK, you have no graphic experience. So what? If someone has a problem with that (and unfortunately many dull and limited design companies do have), then there is little you can do about it.
If you interview well and can present yourself, then you already have an advantage over many potential applicants. Being able to talk to clients demonstrate your team work as a team player or the adapting to working indepently is a much sought after skill. Make sure that you play up that aspect of your skills.
Here are some common questions that you might get at a interview:
Tell me about yourself: - The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present. Why did you leave your last job? - Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.
What experience do you have in this field? - Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can. Do you consider yourself successful? - You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others. What do co-workers say about you? - Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself. What do you know about this organization? - This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players? What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year? - Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention. Are you applying for other jobs? - Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction. Why do you want to work for this organization? - This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals. Do you know anyone who works for us? - Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of. What kind of salary do you need? - A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range. Are you a team player? - You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point. How long would you expect to work for us if hired? - Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I’d like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I’m doing a good job. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that? - This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force. What is your philosophy towards work? - The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That’s the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? - Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it. Have you ever been asked to leave a position? - If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization - You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship. Why should we hire you? - Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison. Tell me about a suggestion you have made - Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus. What irritates you about co-workers? - This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great. What is your greatest strength? - Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude . Tell me about your dream job. - Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can’t wait to get to work. Why do you think you would do well at this job? - Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest. What kind of person would you refuse to work with? - Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner. What is more important to you: the money or the work? - Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is? - There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor - Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor. What has disappointed you about a job? - Don’t get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure. - You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely? - Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one. What motivates you to do your best on the job? - This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends? - This is up to you. Be totally honest. How would you know you were successful on this job? - Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful Would you be willing to relocate if required? - You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own? - This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes. Describe your management style. - Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all. What have you learned from mistakes on the job? - Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off. Do you have any blind spots? - Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for? - Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have. Do you think you are overqualified for this position? - Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience? - First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner. What qualities do you look for in a boss? - Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others. - Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project? - Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out. Describe your work ethic. - Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good. What has been your biggest professional disappointment? - Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job. - Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization. Do you have any questions for me? - Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples.
Hope this helps!!!
Good luck with it.
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esc
Private Eye
I feel the need 4 speed
That will be $4.77 at the first window.
Posts: 303
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Post by esc on Apr 11, 2007 19:23:28 GMT -5
For me, the lack of experience has really not been a factor for obtaining a job. People are looking of individuals who want to learn and that they are more capable of doing the job vs. having done the job before. When people are more fresh, they are prone to stay longer since it's new to them and won't burn out or bore fast. But they look for fast learners too. Even if you have experience, you will get trained/re-trained to work for that specific company and for your job function. As for dressing for the interview, it all depends on the business. The company may be more conservative and expect you in a suit and tie. They may be casual and khakis and a oxford shirt is fine. Best is to work both in, dress slacks, dress shirts and a nice dress shirt always works. As for the pay, it's best to research that same job in your area. Pay differs from region to region even if it's the same job.
But in the end, I say is Good Luck and I do hope you find something you really love and a great place. But remember, jobs are not set in stone and if you're unhappy, you can always change.
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Post by Girl Power on Apr 11, 2007 23:54:39 GMT -5
My husband used to be the vice president/creative director of several advertising agencies. I asked him your question and he said that any work samples you can provide are extremely important. Any personal graphic work you have will help them see what you are capable of. My husband said that work samples are more important than a resume or anything else. He never hired anyone based on resumes or experience, only on work samples. They need to see what kind of work you can do.
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