AIGA Job Forum

I learned a lot at the job forum on Thursday night. I think it was really important to hear from designers themselves on the best things to do when going to an interview. Some things I learned from them were to always be prepared, learn about what job you're interviewing for, have a short and long term plan, and talk about your skill set. Something important I picked up was find something at your current job that you would change. That shows that you're thinking of ways to improve things which is what design is all about. I also learned that I should ask questions when in an interview too. The reason is because it shows that you want to know more about the where you would potentially work. It shows that you care about what you do rather than you're just looking for a job. Some questions to ask are

Ask the interviewer what they think of the business
Ask what a typical day looks like
What makes something successful at the company

The interview should be a casual conversation and not something to be nervous about. I also learned that it's important to set yourself apart. Your resume and portfolio need to stand out. Make everything purposeful. If it doesn't have a purpose then get rid of it. Be respectful to them and yourself by being on time and organizing your work. Have multiple examples of different variations and ideation. Be enthusiastic. A lot of times less is more. Going simple can make things a lot clearer. At the end of an interview follow it up with an email by saying it was a great conversation and you appreciate their time.  I think it's also important to make the process more fun. This can help with the nerves and let the interviewer get to know you for you.