HUGE interview tomorrow... freaking out

[emmerse]

so a month ago I see that a major ad agency (for this town anyway) is looking for a GD-er. The requirements they list are in line with my experience. I'm a little short in some aspects, be feel confident enough to send my resume anyway.

no call.

yesterday, I see the ad for a GD-er running again, so I think the hired someone and it didn't work out, or they never hired someone in the first place. I email the AD to let him know I sent in a resume before, and am still interested. I attached my cover letter and resume just in case they don't have it on file.

not 1 hour later, I get a call from him. (see kids? following up really does work ;) ) I schedule an interview for tomorrow morning.

so that brings me to today. I am CRAMMING to get my portfolio up to date. Something I'm absolutely kicking myself for not having ready to go. I think I'll have a nice assortment of work to show - large format work, logo design, ad work, etc... but I'm still really nervous about the interview.

I've pretty much peaked where I'm at. The pay is good, schedule flexibility is great, and the job security is definitely there, but its not going to take me anywhere long term. so now I have a chance to get on board with a real design firm and "graduate" onto bigger and better things. I'll be gaining much needed experience with all the industry standard software (using Corel now), not to mention agency work for my resume. so this is HUGE!

anyway, I needed to share that with you fine folks. I've been reading up on interviews and portfolio advice from the GDF archives - good stuff around here! I'll definitely let you know how it goes tomorrow. wish me luck!

[jena4]

Good Luck! :)

[Logo-Mechanix]

Ahh, you'll ace it no problem.

[vtwin_gary]

good luck. interviews suck. remember kiss arse if you need to & tell them to kiss it when you must.

[DeleteYourself]

Sounds a similar situation to the one I was in a few months ago. Much like you, I was in a position that was convenient in terms of pay and hours, but wasn't fulfilling from a career perspective. I had been looking around for quite a while for the right opportunity to present itself. Well, after 2 1/2 years I decided to move on to the largest ad agency in our region. I can tell you this: not for me. I'm glad I made the move so that I could get the experience and know for myself. But I learned that the major ad agency game is not for me.

2 weeks later I put in my notice and accepted a job with a smaller ad agency. I now love my job, my co-workers and my situation. Bottom line is, you have to explore to figure out what you like and what you don't.

I hope the interview works out for you. Good luck!

[defjoe]

good luck

my only advice is this

ride that fine line between cocky and confident.

[HUNT]

Who cares, you don't need this job. That's what you need to think when interviewing or else you might come off to eager.

Like above, be the bad ass you are, but back it up in a professional manner in your own way (personality).

[twogun]

good luck emmerse, here's a simple mathmatical system that has always worked for me in this situation......

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And,

B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.

A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that, while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.
Don't you just Love it!!!

[morea]

wow, that explains a lot.

Remember, you are interviewing them every bit as much as they are interviewing you. Break a leg. ;)

[twogun]

true story mo, wouldn't lie to you!

[Eraser Nubbin]

I totally agree with HUNT, if you go in with the attitude that you don't reeeeally need the job I think you come across as less desperate. I wouldn't go so far as to act aloof, or overconfident, but I think if you come across as needy it's a big no no.
You are in a good spot if you have a current job to be launching these interviews from.

[emmerse]

LMAO of Twogun... consider that copy and pasted.

anywho, I think I nailed it. I was nervous all the way up to walking in the door and even asked for Todd instead of Tony (his full name is Tony Dodd, so give me a break). But once we got in the interview, things went pretty well.

I could tell the owner was watching me like a hawk to try to read me, so that actually forced me to put the game face on. I loosened up and tried to relate as much as possible with them. We chatted a little about what I do now, what the work environment is like there and the type of challenge I'd be up against. I was honest about my software limitations, but also confident about my basic design foundation. as a plus, the AD said he liked some of my logo design - stuff that I have next to nill experience with.

the office is small, but very established so it'd be a long term gig. the benefits are really good, matched 401k, 100% paid heath - 60% for dependents... but there would be a pay cut to start- to the tune of 4k/yr. the AD said after 90 days, there is a review, so chances are I could get back to what I make now. Its a little insulting really, to be paid so low for the variety and type of work done... but I'm looking at this as an investment in my careeer, take a little less pay now to be able to take the experience anywhere later.

I talked the talk today and I have to go back for a "test" next week to see if I can walk the walk. They give me an hour to bang out an ad, and judge my talent from the results. I'm not worried at all about it though. Its more to see how I handle stress and how I approach design. I'm feeling pretty good about the whole prospect, but I still need to remain cautious.

thanks for the kind words everyone and I'll keep ya posted.

[panzer]

goodluck emmerse

[PrintDriver]

So, How'd it go?

[emmerse]

^^^ see two posts above yours ;)

skills "test" tomorrow. then it's sit back and see if they offer the spot.

[emmerse]

update: ok, had my test today. I had to design a fold out mailer and had an hour to see how far I got.

from my perspective, I felt like a complete idiot. I was soooo much more unfamiliar with pshop and illy than I thought. But I did manage to fudge my way through them and get them to do the things I wanted them to do. After I realized the AD wanted to see a design and not a finished product, I relaxed and just started throwing stuff on there to give some sort of representation of what I had in my head. I ended up getting a pretty good start on the outside of the piece and got a little done on the inside.

It was utter crap in my eyes, but apparently he liked what he saw and said I did a good job. he told me upfront he would be brutally honest and let me know if I wasn't what they were looking for right up front. Luckily, I didn't get that speach, rather I got the "well I'm not guaranteeing anything, but you're at the top of the list right now" WHEW!

I think I pretty much got it in the bag at this point. There's one more applicant he's waiting on work from, and depending on how that goes, I'll know first thing next week. They've been trying to hire someone for two months and for him to ask how early I could start... makes things seem pretty promising.

I'm super nervous, as its a pretty big change for me and scary as hell. But I think its a no-brainer when it comes to my career goals.

so yeah, thats my update for anyone who cares. now back to emo patrol...

[Jeizzavelle]

Great news! I'm glad to hear things went well! Good luck!