Many people opt to pursue their career in graphic design, so you can compete with the other designers in the interview. You need to convince your hiring managers to select you for the job, and not the other candidates. You need to properly study and know all the graphic design names or terms that will help you in your interview.
How will you do it and what can you do to succeed or get this job?
You need to come with the good answers to the interview questions–it is a first thing, foundation stone for your success. Second part of the puzzle is the portfolio of some of your best works. Portfolio is indeed one important element for your success story. The job candidate who provides the good interview answers (and not best answers, but some good answers), or brings good portfolio to an interview (matches job offer, and one that demonstrates value that designer has brought on to the former clients & employers), can often get this job at an end of their hiring process.
Suppose you have got the right skills, and right attitude and amazing design portfolio, you really deserve the job. Thus, let us take you through a few simple and effective tips that will help you land the coveted graphic design interview as well as sail through this to get your dream job…
Interview for your job as the graphic designer must be a breeze –you will be talking about yourself or what you are very much passionate about. However, it does not matter if you have just graduated from college or you are making the career change; it doesn’t matter your level of experience, everyone gets a bit nervous. Suddenly, we cannot remember what activities that we participated in outside the class or for how long we did internship for, and where we have worked before the interview.
Usually, interviewers are pretty aware about it. However, freezing up can be something that will be prevented with the preparation. Following are a few questions that you may be asked as you are interviewing for the job as graphic designer and make sure you know all the graphic design names.
- Prepare resume and have several copies
Before going in the interview ensure that you go through the resume to ensure that there are not any errors and it is customized for the job you are applying for. Ensure you bring three professionally printed resume copies with you on the interview, although you have earlier sent this through email. You can put these in the back of the portfolio and ensure to offer this to the interviewer. Because the organization interviewing you has seen your resume, do not assume that particular part of an application process is done. You might be asked to talk through the resume in an interview, thus ensure you bring several copies in the presentable form, or familiarize yourself with what you say that you have done or what you can do. You will be asked about talking through the portfolio, thus the same thing goes right for that.
2. Keep this specific and structured
Begin with the mission statement, which talks about who you are, or sells yourself. Check the clients or brands that you have worked with, and list down your employment in the reverse order, the current job position first. When you are talking through the resume in a design interview, you have to back up the statements with your experiences listed on the CV. Try to be specific –never say: “I work really well in a team or individually” – everybody does, it is not the unique skill.
3. Prepare your looks.
It is one important aspect that many people generally tend to ignore. I have been in the interviews earlier and when waiting in a lobby, I have seen other job aspirants and it is a shame some of them actually come with the jeans and t-shirt. Till you get some specific instructions of not getting dressed up, and I recommend you look presentable if possible. I am not saying you need to wear an Armani suit or alligator-skinned shoes, however, dressing up in the shirt & tie will not hurt. Doesn’t mean to be prideful, however, I have received many compliments for my looks in the interviews. In a way you present yourself says so much about your character. This shows you were keen to get ready as well as look your best for your interview.
4, Never wait for the vacancies to come
There does not have to be a real job vacancy for you to find work. Suppose your skills and experience can help the agency or studio win business, boost its offering and bring the innovative approach on the table, that studio might try and make the space for you. The added value will not be underestimated. The creative agencies are the busy places, thus if your information hits the right screen at the right time, you can make somebody’s life simple and bag a dream job interview.
5. Research on the company
Possibly the company that you interview with has the website – you can use the source of information! You can browse through the website as well as take proper notes. To know what they are about or what their goals and vision are as the company. You do not know if they may ask something about it in an interview. It is one obvious thing you will do when you are preparing for the design interview, however, is all often forgotten. Suppose your excuse is that you ‘did not have enough time’ then you do not want this job and prospective employers may know immediately. Take a look at the company’s website as well as search creative press for the stories about them. Ensure that you have a few questions lined to ask the interviewers to show that you have done the research and know graphic design names.
6. Prepare to stay polite
During an interview, be polite if possible. Do not be obnoxious and rude. They may ask you about the past jobs or experiences. Suppose you had the bad experience, do not bash your earlier boss or old company. Suppose you have got nothing nice to, just do not say it. You probably will get questions on your thoughts and process about the current web standards and more. Whenever you share your opinions and beliefs with them, they may have a different philosophy so get ready for this. Also, do not use profanity during an interview. Some might say, it is common sense! It’s, but you will be surprised how many candidates slip and say inappropriate things during an interview. Keep in mind to be respectful.
7. Prepare your answer for interview
It’s the interview so there will be questions – and plenty of them! In order, to begin they may ask you various questions that can inch them a bit closer in getting to know more about you or how you work. Here are some examples of what you may expect from the graphic design interview and fun questions.
- Describe the challenging team project or how do you overcome any obstacles?
- Are you involved in the product launch or business? What aspects do you contribute or how you measured the results?
- Describe a situation when you got involved to address such issues or what actions you took?
- Bonus: Who’s your favorite designer & why?
- Describe a time when you got resistance to a certain project or idea you were liable for implementing. How do you handle resistance and get positive results?
8. Prepare to stay punctual
Please do not be late to your interview. It actually is not very good to reach late particularly before you are hired. First Google directions one day prior and give plenty of time for getting to the destination. Get ready for the traffic and give enough breathing room so in case you ever get lost, you have enough time to reach there on time. When you get there, just walk in the office around 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled interview time and let them know that you have already reached there. When you are answering the questions try and keep your reaction in a form of STAR method. You talk about SITUATION, TASK at hand, ACTION you took, as well as RESULTS you have got.
9. Prepare to pay Attention
Plenty of topics will get covered or discussed during an interview. Processes, regulations, rules, and policies are talked of during an interview. Ensure you pay close attention so the interview will not need to repeat themselves. Ask if you may take notes or note down some thoughts time to time. You can ask a few questions about position and company. You can ask good or pertinent questions as it is a good sign and shows that you’re trying to know more and you’re paying close attention.
Final Words
The professional interviewers can give you the chance to ask some questions, generally at an end of an interview. You must ask them something, just because it shows you still want this job, after everything has happened in an interview. You may ask them about their campaigns, or particular design work, which has caught your attention.