10
Mar, 2020

Getting the Job

Preparing for the job interview

Preparing for the job interview

You’ve been called into a job interview.  An interviewer has expressed interest your resume and cover letter and would now like to interview you.  What do you do to ace the interview?  The first thing is to research the company and figure out how you fit into the company’s needs. Some information you should know includes:

  • What is the company’s specialty?
  • Who are their clients (past and present)?
  • What is their target market?
  • What is there to know about the department you will be working in?
  • Who are the company’s competitors and what are their strengths and weaknesses?

Your Appearance

Whether we like it or not, we are often judged by our appearance, and we do not get a second chance to make a first impression   It is important to dress appropriately for a job interview.  Knowing how to dress in a creative field can be tricky.  As creative people, many employers expect some eccentricity, however you should still try to fit into the corporate culture. When in doubt, it’s better in overdress than under-dress   You will never lose a job for overdressing.  A suit and tie in a casual environment will demonstrate that you’re serious about the job.  Being under dressed however, will suggest that you’re not serious about the job.

Things to Bring to an Interview

  1. Resume: Bring several extra copies of your resume as there may be several people interviewing you.
  2. Job Application Information: You may be asked to fill in a job interviewer  so bring any relevant information including graduation dates, work start and end dates, etc.
  3. List of references: Bring at least three references. Make sure the people listed know you will be listing them.  Make sure they are professional references and not friends and family. 
  4. Pen and Paper: You may need to take notes.
  5. Portfolio / Demo DVD: Bring a bring version of your portfolio, mounted properly and cleanly.  If your work is dynamic (i.e websites, programming, games, etc.), bring a copy of your digital portfolio.
  6. List of questions: Prepare a list of questions to cover during the interview if you have any.

The Interview

 Your first impression will set the tone for your interview, therefore, you must present yourself as a professional.

  • Arrive the to fifteen minutes early.
  • Be courteous.
  • Be patient (make sure your cell phone is off).
  • Presentation (be prepared and look organized.  Keep an organizer with your resume, references, etc.)
  • Etiquette (be prepared for a handshake, but let the interviewer extend their hand first.)
  • Respect (Address the interviewer by their last name (Mr. or Ms.).  Wait to be asked to sit.
  • During the interview:
    • Let the interviewer set the tone.
    • Keep your answers direct and to the point.
    • Provide examples o your experience (relate interview scenarios to previous experience).
    • Ask questions when given the opportunity.
  • End the interview with the same respect as you started with.
  • Send a thank you letter.
  • Follow up.  Send a courteous and but brief followup if you have not heard back withing 10 business days.

Next, Please Visit L09 | Assignment

13
Feb, 2020

MRose Cover letter

Cover Letter

<div>
<p>HELLO</p>
</div>

HELLO

Hello Human Resource Manager,

The posting for a Junior Graphic/Web Designer has caught my attention! My background appears to parallel your needs. I am highly motivated with challenges and work fast under pressure. My unique layout style, web / graphic experience and knowledge would be an asset to your company. As my attached resume and online portfolio demonstrates, the open position is a perfect match for my communication, web and graphic design experience. I continue to prove myself as an intelligent take-charge team player with the ability to coordinate diversified departmental and customer support functions.

  • Accustomed to deadline driven environments
  • Career minded and highly motivated
  • Intelligent take-charge team player
  • Manage multiple projects at one time
  • Experienced in functional design and layout 
  • Communicate concepts to clients in a professional and non-technical manner
  • Text integration, image optimization, navigational elements and search optimization

Primarily, this position will make optimal use of my qualifications working in capacities that require strong layout design, image optimization, and interpersonal communication while professional attention to detail and organization is highly regarded. I believe my enthusiastic, friendly and outgoing personality with the desire to succeed and life long goal to continue learning would be an asset to your company. I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss the possible merging of my talents and experience with your needs. Please feel free to contact me at (919) 555-1212 at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your review and consideration.

Sincerely, Melissa Rose
baby4rose@gmail.com

7
Feb, 2020

Cover Letters 101

Effective Cover Letter Writing

Appearance. Keep the appearance of your cover letter clean and concise. Make sure you use the same type of high quality paper for your cover letter and resume. Keep the formatting consistent and break important sections into separate paragraphs. Use a simple font that is ready to read with a type size of at least then points, but not larger than twelve points.

The addressee. It is always a good idea to target your resume to the person who will be reading it. Writing “to Whom It May Concern,” is not as effective as writing to the head of the department directly. Call the company and ask who to address the letter to. Also make sure to get correct spelling and the title of the individual. The only exception to this rule is if the job specifically directs you to specify a department or specifies ‘”no phone calls.”

The opening. Make sure to state the title or position you are applying for and how you heard of the job in the opening of the cover letter.

Keep it simple and direct. Keep your wording concise and to the point. State your qualities and how they will benefit the employer Directly address their job requirement listed in the job description. You may bullet your top three to five qualities as and itemized list. This helps draw attention to the top qualities that you want the employer to focus on. Keep your letter to less than a page and make sure to sign it at the bottom.

Focus on the company. Make sure to focus your cover letter on the company’s needs. When speaking of your qualities and asses, express them as a means of satisfying their requirements for the position. The employer is interested in what you can do for them. Researching their company will give you insight to the type of clients they work with. This will help focus the cover letter.

Grammar and spelling. Employers are looking for effective communicators. Your cover letter is the first communication they are going to read from you. If your cover letter is filled with spelling and grammatical errors, they will probably not call. Use spelling and grammar check on your word processor.

Honesty. Do not lie or exaggerate in your letter. If you misrepresent yourself, the employer will figure it out during the interview. Overstating your qualifications may prohibit you from ever being considered for another position with that company.

Different Types of Cover Letters

Advertisement Response Letter. This letter is in response to a job advertisement. An advertisement response letter gives you the opportunity to directly respond to a specific set of criteria that the employer is looking for. The employer will list the qualifications including skill level, education, and work experience that they are seeking. Use your cover letter to address each point in their advertisement Point out how your training and background address their point-by-point needs. In your opening paragraph, be sure to state what position you are applying for and where you learned of the available position.

Reference letter. One of the most effective ways of obtaining a job is through networking. Referrals from existing employees or companies that have a relationship with the employer will give you an advantage over other applicants. A recommendation from a respected employee gives credibility to your application . Make sure to mention the person referring you.

Cold letter. A cold letter is a general letter of inquiry and is not in response to a specific vacancy. Often people who have an interest in working for a specific company will send a general letter expressing interest in working for that company. This type of letter is can be effective if written well an accompanied by a strong resume.

28
Jan, 2020

Good to Consider….

Lesson 3 – Portfolio Design v1

Tips Found while researching for this assignment

Ask these questions

  • Is there a clear call-to-action button for others to quickly learn about you?
  • Is there any confusing part in the website layout?
  • Is your copy too wordy?
  • Does the site take a long time to load? Slow loading time is equivalent to being late for an interview and should be avoided by all means.
  • Does the webpage show the core issues that users care about, or is it just a collection of unorganized achievements meaningless to the user?
  • Can the webpage be loaded and displayed normally on mobile?