Advice...

[PR Design]

I've got my first interview on Thurs 25 Oct. for a design job. It's just for freelance and contract work but it's a high responsibility role in the context of their company. I'll be going out on-site with their developers to draw up briefs and I'll be doing a lot of front end dev.
The problem lies in the fact that, being 17, I've never had a serious interview before. It's a really informal set up, and the job is pretty much a dead cert so I'm just off in for a chat over a cuppa. With it being so informal, is smart-casual dress the way to go, ie nice jeans and a smart jumper kinda thing? Is that what you lot would do? Also, he wants to see my portfolio which unfortunately isn't too extensive so is it ok to include personal projects?

Any advice will help, thanks in advance!

Harry

[Arkady]

As regards your portfolio, they will want to see anything that represents your style and your competance, so don't worry what it was for, just make sure you have enough for them to see. The dress question is more complicated. A lot will depend on the people involved and what they themselves are like, bu t I would advise against jeans no matter how smart. If someone turned up in jeans to an interview with me, they would have to work a lot bloody harder to win me over. On the other hand a suit and tie is not right for this industry either, (well not any more anyway.) My best advice; dress to impress.

Good luck.

[brokendalek]

Make sure your shoes are polished, Harry!

[James Random]

I can tell you what I look for in a prospective Employee.

The first thing to remember is that an employer will generally know if he wants you within the first two minutes. The trick is to make a good first impression, turn up five minutes early (no more or no less) and make sure you act with confidence, but not enough that you appear arrogent.
Speak clearly an concisely - nobody likes stutterers - the other trick is to LOOK like you know what you're talking about (which you should), but not overly advertise this fact, after all nobody likes a smart alec.
Always have questions if they ask "do you have any questions", make it look like you know what you want out of the job. Don't appear as though you NEED the job badly, remain casual but enthusiastic. and yeah, polish your shoes. lol

Hope this helps.


--PS, dont be too eager to show off your portfolio - wait until he asks to see it. ;)

[brokendalek]

Do you have quite a big company James?

[James Random]

not really, it only employs 30 or so people.

[rossable]

as long as you stay calm and show confidence and knowledge of your trade you will be fine. never dress better than the boss, dress like the boss or slightly under. research the company, what they do, and who they cater to before you go that way you understand better what's going on (it's always impressive to be well informed). make sure that you have a couple copies of your resume, at least one printed version of your portfolio just in case they don't do the interview near a computer for you to show them the digital one.
always phrase things in a method that says that you are there to help them. take the boss' lead, as in if he is joking and having fun, do like wise. when they ask if you have any questions, repeat back a summery of the discussion so far for clarities sake. this all lets them know that you understand them and that you are going to do your best to make their wishes possible.

[...Gav]

I used to work in recruitment PR so after reading your post hopefully mine will help a little bit (i havent read the other replies so sorry if this has already been covered)

1st, dont wear jeans dude! even if it is a chat over a cuppa, never wear jeans or that type to a job interview. If you havent got a suit, smart trousers, shirt and tie are the best bet.

2. Portfolio, dont show it until asked - but putting your own personal stuff in there is a good idea this means they can see what you like doing rather than what a client likes to see

3. first impressions are everything, even if you have met them before and the impression was good, this one will confirm it for them.

4. be yourself, dont be nervous, but dont treat them like your friends in a pub, have a laugh but be respectable and polite

5. if you smoke, dont have a fag after you have got dressed and done yourself up, the smell will stick to your clothes and if they dont smoke this will be a MASSIVE turn off for them

6. good luck and all the best

Gav

[PR Design]

Cheers for the heads up guys! I'll take it all in and turn myself into an "Ultimate Interviewee". Cheers

Harry

P.S. If it falls flat, I'm coming after you... lol.

[Carrotnapper]

good luck mate!