‘Maximising your 15 minutes’Interviews & Portfolios Workshop

February 2010

“In the future everyonewill be world-famous

for 15 minutes.”Andy Warhol, 1968

“You only get one chanceto make it count,

you may never getthis moment again.”

JLS, 2010

> Evaluate these4 areas together

> Identifyappropriateopportunities

> Develop a planwhich will allowyou drive yourcareer towardswhere you wouldlike it to be

> Create the ‘me’brand materialsto target youraudience.

Yourself:your skills,motivations, strengths andweaknesses.

Job/Clients:design studios, advertising agencies, otherbusinessesthat employdesigners.

Your work:its nature, influences,style andvariety.

Specialist or freelancedesign work: projects andplacements. ?

1. Developing the ‘me’ brand

Hobbies

Likes

Dislikes

Values

Dreams?

Work style?

Skills

Work

Multi-projects/varietyor single tasks?

Starter orcompleter-finisher?

Fantasy

Ethos

Family

Weaknesses

Personalitytype?

Passions

Temperament

Commercial and technical skills -

those that peoplewill pay for?

YOURVisual Map

Flexible?(Work/Personal)Passions?

Team player or solo?

Specialist orGeneralist?

Secret skills?

Organised ordisorganised?

Reactive/proactive?

Natural leader?

Strengths

TravelNatural

talent/gifts

2.Work interviews, planning ahead - how?

> Send a letter, a well-designed résumé and samples of work.Your résumé is a simple typographic design problem, displaying vital information about who you are, where you’ve been and what you’vedone in an organized and structured fashion.

> Follow up with a phone call and make an appointment. Have a clear idea of what you want to say, make notes to refer to. Call again the day before to confirm that you stillhave an interview, who to see and when.

> Brush up on the company’s work.It helps to know something aboutthe organisation, what they do andhave done. Write three/four sample questions about the company, andany work or employment opportunities.

Familiarise yourself with the company’s work, and be

prepared when you get asked“Why do you think I should

employ you?”www.gabrieleskelton.com

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University of the Creative Artshttp://www.ucreative.ac.uk/index.cfm?articleid=12325#g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVlPlO8yg3A

AIGA, the professional association for design www.aiga.org/content.cfm/portfolio-presenting Computer Arts Magazinehttp://www.computerarts.co.uk

3. Interview technique research

THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS? NAME:

Why do you want to work for us?

Your company is at the cutting edge of film special effects and has lots of interesting new projects.

What is your favourite piece of work and why? You should be able to talk about your work constructively and passionately. Be prepared for criticism; so also be prepared to justify your decisions.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I see myself as a senior animator responsible for the animations in some amazing new film.

What are you worth? How much should we pay you?

You should have researched into how much a graduate is expected to earn in your chosen area. Use the job advert if there is one to help inform your decision.

How would you do this? You should make sure you are up to date with the tools of your trade, if you are unsure its best to say highlighting that you are currently developing those skills, rather that try to bluff your way through it.

Who or what is your favourite creative or company?

Aardman animation, the dedication they have shown over the years is almost second to none.

What is your weakest piece of work?

You should be able to talk about your work constructively and passionately. Be prepared for criticism; so also be prepared to justify your decisions.

What could you bring to the company?

Flag up your skills and abilities, highlighting any area that a company is seeking in particular.

What is your greatest achievement?

Winning several awards for my final project, which has now been shown around the world.

What are your strengths creatively?

Good animation, strong modelling. Exceptional story boarding.

What about you do you most want to improve?

My overall ability to animate, I feel that it is the element of my subject.

What piece of work that we have produced do you most like?

Know about the company you are having the interview with, be aware of projects they have worked on, clients they have and the people who work for them. From their portfolio select a piece of work which you most like, be prepared to explain why you like it.

What is the most interesting thing you have ever done?

I worked at an orang-utan sanctuary in Borneo, for two months, helping orphaned orang-utans.

What are you reading at the moment?

I regularly read creative magazines, and broad sheet newspapers.

Who do you want to win X factor?

You never know but you may get a question like this. By asking you about a completely unrelated issue employers can see how you adapt to the unexpected, and see if you have a life away from industry.

When can you start? If you want the job say so, say when you can start. Remembering you may need to give notice on your current job.

INTERVIEW FEEDBACK NAME:

DATE:

Use this sheet to keep a detailed record of feedback you have received. Constructive feedback will help you improve and prepare more effectively for the future.

When was this feedback given?

Who gave you feedback?

Role of person? Peer (mock) Tutor Other academic or support staff

Work Experience contact

Volunteer contact

Employer contact

Other

If you answered other above please give details.

What questions were you asked and how did you answer?

What questions would you have answered differently? What would you say?

What did you learn from the questions?

Did you show your portfolio?

Yes | No

What have you learnt from this feedback about interviews?

Other Comments

4. At the interview...

Top tips:1) Be on time2) Listen more than you talk3) Be yourself4) Dress the part5) Speak with confidence6) Be positive7) Small talk goes a long way8) Know the company/client The dress part is really important - although with creative professionals, organisations are more lenient and perhaps have different expectations. Also I’ve read from other sources, 93% is non verbal...

5. Can you improve your interview technique?> Body language is one of the many nonverbal ways a person

communicates with other people. Examples of good body language:

1. Sit fairly straight in the chair - this shows alertness and attentiveness.

2. Use a slightly forward lean during the interview - showing interest inwhat the employer wants and has to say.

3. Keep the hands open and away from the body, not crossed - this showsopenness and honesty. Gesture frequently, if it is natural - showing involvement and enthusiasm.

4. Offer your hand first for the handshake, as it shows friendlinessand a positive attitude.

5. Move with confidence and purpose from the moment you enter thebuilding to the moment you leave.

5. At the end of the interview, always stand and smile.

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6. Can you improve your interview technique?> Be aware of negative body language sending the wrong message.

1. Fidgeting with your body or hands shows nervousness, or that youmight be hiding something.

2. Squirming or repositioning yourself often - again, nervousness and thefeeling that you would rather be somewhere else.

3. Avoid clenching your hands together, or with hands closed in a fist - this shows possible anger problems.

4. Don’t sit with your arms folded, as it can make you can appearunfriendly or disengaged.

5. Don’t do any of the following because of an apparent lack of focus: rock back in the chair, shake your foot, drum fingers or pay attention toanything but the person across the table

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