Graphic Design and Web Design Forum

Age : 21 Joined : 27 Nov 2006 Posts : 97 Location : England

What are your design job interview techniques?
What should and shouldn't you do in a interview?
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Guest

be yourself, and try and sell yourself but not in a "I'm the greatest, hire me" manner.

(btw i'm not speaking from experience here)

Age : 22 Joined : 05 Dec 2006 Posts : 204 Location : Sweden

and do NOT be quiet when they ask you "what can you do for this company/school" ..
sadly, i speak from own experience tongue

Subject: Re: Interview Techniques Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:07 am

As previously mentioned, definitely be yourself.
Your potential employer wants to not just see what qualification/experiance you have but get to know the real you as well and the things that influence you.

My Main Note:
Nothing has to be anything comissioned here but I would strongly suggest if not already being done, having your portfolio of work ready at hand to display.

People like graphics. If you can show at interviews what you are capable of doing as well as telling them, they see what you could bring to the company/project directly.
It is also a good idea within your portfolio of work to have a ranged selection of pieces, this will help show you can adapt well to other styles/idealisms.
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Zen Elements

Age : 21 Joined : 27 Nov 2006 Posts : 97 Location : England

Good points so far, im sure other members have more points about a interview they would like to share?
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Joined : 06 Dec 2006 Posts : 17

I consider it very important to show that you have social skills, and that you wont be a ghost around the office. Because the company interviewing you wants to know that you will fit into their working environment; thus feeling more comfortable in your work and producing a better result.

You also need to show how passionate you are about whatever it is you are being interview for. If you aren't passionate about it, fake it Razz

Just so that your might-be-employer knows that you want to move forward and develop in your position.

Age : 21 Joined : 13 Dec 2006 Posts : 97

Well, change the client’s diapers.

What i mean by that, make them feel like you got it all under control, that if they give u the job/project, they have nothing to worry about, be friendly, but also professionally aggressive, by that i don’t mean jump on the interviewers desk, rip off ur shirt and bang on ur chest, i mean, be daring, remember you know better, you are the designer, you can ask questions back, even in interviews, you can suggest and correct them, and it wouldn’t hurt to wink at the interviewer if she's cute

Twisted Evil

Subject: Re: Interview Techniques Thu Dec 14, 2006 7:51 pm

this is an extract from some info sent to me by a recruitment firm who have set me up with an interview.

"Research shows that candidates who ASK intelligent questions at the interview stage get 3 times more job offers than those that don't.

below are a list of questions for candidates to ask at the interviw.
Im not suggesting you ask all of them, but 4-6 appropriate questions from the list will do the trick.

what's the best thing about working at your company?

why has the position become available?

what can I expect from you in terms of development support, motivation?

has this role been offered internally?

what is the possibility of promotion within the company

what type of prospects does this role offer

if i was offered the job, what are the main monitors for success

what does the organisation expect from it's employees

what behaviour is desired and rewarded (not financially) in this position

what is the turnover of staff like at this company

what elements of the job offers flexibility and variety

does this role involve me being in a position where i can use my initative

what aspirations do you have for me with this company

where would you like to see me within this company in 5 years

where will the job i am applying for fit into the team

what do you think would attract me to accept the position, if i am to be the successfull candidate

are there any plans to expand the company

DO NOT initiate the subject of salary, wait untill they do, or if it's not brought up, it may come up in a second interview or at the offer stage.

any other info, just let me know.

Russ
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Graphic and Web Design Forum

Age : 21 Joined : 13 Dec 2006 Posts : 97

Subject: Re: Interview Techniques Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:04 pm

good tips on the questions, i always mean to ask questions but they always cover the ones i was thinking of. then think of something when i get back to the car... Mad

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Graphic and Web Design Forum

Age : 21 Joined : 13 Dec 2006 Posts : 97

Well, ima give you my secret tipe here mate

FIRST! when u go to fill out an application form ALWAYS do it stretchd out on the floor and kick urlegs about...shows them how comfy u are working for them Very Happy

have ur mp3 palyer with u, and tell them you can listen to them and themusic at the same time, shows great multi tasking skills i think Very Happy

anyway, the bestthing u can do, as i always do, is ask to see the interviewer's resume to see if the personnel executive is even qualified to judge you Very Happy

if not, flick him off and tell im to go to hell Twisted Evil

Guest

Not sure if it's already been mentioned but you can't know enough about the company you're being interviewed by. With the internet as powerful as what it is you should be able to find anything out.

Joined : 03 Jan 2007 Posts : 3 Location : South Africa

I would add:

- make sure your CV is beautifully designed - don't just slap text onto white paper
- only put your best work in your portfolio - they will judge you on your worst work, so chuck out the doodles from first year
- make sure your attire reflects your personality - forget about the cliche work suit
- have some work experience under your belt, even if it's work for friends/family businesses or nonprofit organizations

Subject: Re: Interview Techniques Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:32 am

Joined : 12 Dec 2006 Posts : 129

And if you dont get the job you can always use this :-)

Dear ......,

Thank you for your letter rejecting my application for employment with your firm. I have received rejections from an unusually large number of well qualified organizations. With such a varied and promising spectrum of rejections from which to select, it is impossible for me to consider them all.
After careful deliberation, then, and because a number of firms have found me more unsuitable, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your rejection. Despite your company’s outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet with my requirements at this time. As a result, I will be starting employment with your firm on the first of the month.
Circumstances change and one can never know when new demands for rejection arise. Accordingly, I will keep your letter on file in case my requirements for rejection change.
Please do not regard this letter as a criticism of your qualifications in attempting to refuse me employment. I wish you the best of luck in rejecting future candidates.

Sincerely
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Guest

Hey I might use that.

Joined : 12 Dec 2006 Posts : 129

My pleasure :-)
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