Comments on: 15 graphic design interview tips

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:37:20 +0000

It should be beneficial, Kasumi. Employers will want to know how you communicate verbally as well as visually. The majority of my website is built with blog posts, and I think it helps with client acquisition.

By: Kasumi Miyake

Kasumi Miyake — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:11:40 +0000

Hi David,

Thanks for your reply. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply.

I am in my final year of university and have been blogging about the work that I have been working on throughout this semester.

Would it be beneficial to include a link of my blog which I use to only address my current work to prospective employers or would it be best to just keep to my portfolio website?

If you are interested, I would very happy for you to have a look at it:

http://miyakekasumigraphics.carbonmade.com/

Many thanks,

Kasumi

By: David Airey

David Airey — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:47:13 +0000

Seems like you’ll be much better prepared than I was when I graduated. Good on you!

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:36:41 +0000

Thank you David. So far I have been able to find paid freelance projects and have had 4 different clients. Pro bono projects could be a good way to diversify my portfolio, and I will look into that!

With my 2 internships and different freelance projects, I have 1 year of experience and haven’t yet graduated. By the time I graduate I will have completed another freelance project and will be starting another in January (6 in total + 2 internships). What I was told by some of these agencies I interviewed with, is that they do not hire junior designers right off the bat, that they usually hire them after successful internships. I feel these are good opportunities, and it’s a good way for me to see whether these agencies are a good fit for me as well. I was just getting nervous as to whether it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be doing internships at this point anymore.

Thank you for sharing your insights.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:49:41 +0000

Hello Genevieve, it's okay to intern as a post-graduate, but be careful about what you're being asked to do. It should be a learning experience rather than an employer's chance at cheap labour. As you've interned already, a part-time or very short-term placement might be more beneficial, or if you haven't already undertaken any, pro bono design helps build your portfolio. Chris, likewise, pro bono work is always an option, improving your client experience while building your book.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:06:16 +0000

Thanks David for your reply. Every agency asks me to design something for them and then they will decide if the will hire me or not. They say they want to see how I think and if my thinking fits with theirs. If they like my work, why they always ask me to design something for them giving me a very poor brief. I love my work but I am getting tired with this situation. If they can’t trust me from the beggining then I can’t work for them. But I don’t know what else to do? Thanks,
Regards,
Chris

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:48:27 +0000

Hi David,

I wanted to ask you some advice. I’ll be graduating with my BFA in December this year, and have completed an internship in publishing in 2009 and then this summer 2011 with a design agency. I have since interviewed with other agencies in anticipation of my graduation and I am also working on a freelance project in parallel. Although the people I interviewed with were complimentary of my work, and the way I present, I was offered an internships. I’m hesitating to take another internship, as by then I will have graduated and it will be a 3rd internship. So how many internships are too many? And is it ok to still be doing internship after graduating?

Thanks again!

By: David Airey

David Airey — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:23:54 +0000

Anytime. The latest posts might help: What employers look for #1

By: Valeria

Valeria — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:18:05 +0000

Thanks for your advice, David. I’ll figure out the pros and cons with the years. In the meantime, I’m going to take my time to discover the rest of your website, it looks like I can already learn quite a few things here. All the best.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:35:52 +0000

Hello Valeria, I’m also surprised that your interview was cancelled. I’d at least expect a call to discuss it beforehand, especially as they were very interested in your profile. Regardless, my opinion is that you shouldn’t talk about salary in your first interview. Wait until you’re offered the position, or until your potential employer brings it up. Although obviously important, you don’t want money to be the reason for your application.

You answered your own question #2. Pros and cons. It really depends on what you want.

I hope your interview goes well.