Got my first Job Interview Tomorrow

[Mojovonious]

Kinda stressed out about it, cause I learnt about it yesterday morning, and with the job I have now, I haven't had time to tweak my portfolio, and I had to get a rush job of my printed portfolio done at staples.

They're looking for a Junior Designer, I researched the company a little, http://www.copoloff.com, so hopefully that will help.

Any other tips?

[D-Frag]

shower
where a watch
don't have sweaty palms when you shake hands
treat the secretary with respect (unlike me, i usually spill my coffee on their oh so important paper work....bwhahahahahaa)
bring at least 3 copies of your resume in case you meet with other dept. heads
send a thank you letter to each dept head that does an interview with you, send this the same day as the interview too, that looks good.
stay calm, remember your just getting to talk about yourself, which most designers have no problem doing ; )

i hope that helps

[Mojovonious]

thanks, that helped a lot. Ill make a thank you letter tonight, and get it ready to send tomorrow.

[Patrick Shannon]

You've done your research, that is a good thing.

Remember that you're a candidate amongst a sea of them (well, with luck, maybe just a few), so you're going to have to set yourself apart from them. I cannot help you with this since I don't know what the position entails, but they should have mentioned that or written about that (if it were an ad) already. Basically make them want/need you, explain to them exactly why your skills would best help them.

In selling something, accentuate the positives and that should be no different here. You can make a bingo parlor look like the Taj Mahal if your sales pitch is convincing enough.

Lastly, ask them questions about their operations to show interest in their company. But ask the right questions, not questions about how long a lunch you get or when you'll get a raise (that comes later ;) ).

Finally, make sure your name is not "Patrick Shannon," that will disqualify you from the race immediately ;P

[morea]

good luck! I am sure you'll do a great job!!!

[defjoe]

remember... they are people just like you. don't overthink what they are going to ask cause then you loose focus. go in with a clear mind. Be confident in yourself. it will show.

[morea]

if you get a second, check this thread for some information about asking the interviewer a few questions.

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7872

[keith1]

Use the force Mojovonious :) good luck!!

[pixelmonkey]

good luck man!

a few "DON'T DO" tips...
-----------------------
ask anyone to pull your finger
take a 3rd look at the secretary for more then 2 seconds
dont stand on any table during the interview


a few "DO" tips
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while waiting for your interview, if anyone is in the same room with you, be open to talk to them. it will help calm you down, AND if the interviewer enters the room while you are talking to someone it proves you are open to talk to people. *just be sure the person isnt busy on the phone or typing away on the computer*

know the material and layout of your portfolio inside out and backwards!!! when it comes time to present it, spin to another work if a question comes up about a particular project. makes notes of what you aquired from one project to advance the next.

if you're siting in the office and waiting for the interview, and no one is around to talk to, it's a good idea to keep from reviewing the material you're about to present. KNOW IT before you show up. this shows the the interviewer that you have things ready to go and have thought out what possible directions the interview could go.

WARNING
---------------------
some interviewers will try to spin the conversation from the interview to person life / hobbies. DONT streach this out verry long. If anything make note on how more details will require quite a bit of time to explain... reason for this? some interviewers want to test you on how easily side tracked you are from the task given. this case, the interview.

look prepared, be prepared! you'll do great!
chris<pixelmonkey>:D

[Mojovonious]

Well, it seemed to go well. The job is asking for someone to work on a GUI for Broker Software, I'm not sure what type of Software, but they also need me to do the odd invitation, flyer, etc.

The woman that interviewed me was head of the marketing dept., she was pretty impressed with the works I showed her and that I even knew what Web Standards were.

She said she would call me before the week is over.

I hope I get it, 24k a year to start off, health benefits, a really nice work environment, Adobe CS (for once I won't have to use 5.0 in an office).

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it.