Portfolio QuestionI am a recent college grad seeking my first professional career in anentry-level position. I have an interview coming up next weekthat I am really excited for and have prepared a portfolio and ambringing two writing samples. My question is, when and how shouldI present these materials to the interviewer? I know people warnagainst talking too much in an interview, but I would like to take thetime to go over and describe the materials I brought. Having writing samples are great!!! However, if the interviewer did not request the samples, I would not be the first to produce them. I' d bring them along (Just in case). Let the interviewer lead into the interview first. Don' t overtalk him/her. Once they finish talking to you about the job then you can proceed. Upon talking you can THEN say, I brought over (2) samples -- do it gradually -- be sure to catch the response or the warmthness from the interviewer. (don' t drag on the presentation and (DON' T TALK TOO MUCH) (SMILES). See how you are being preceived. There is nothing to interviewing, its simply the interviewer trying to get to know the interviewee. Just relax, carefully think of what you want to say before saying it. Eye contact is major key and making the certain that the personalities connect. Professional attire -- no jeans, did they tell you what the dress attire would be. Do you homework on the company prior to interviewing just in case they ask you if you know of their company or ever heard of them before. I am a Recruiter and have been for 20 year' s - believe it or not, there are a lot of people who simply don' t know how to interview, so all I can say is "be yourself" but be a PROFESSIONAL. YOU WILL BE FINE. I have discovered in my interviewing processes that the interviewer will ask before the start of the interview something along the lines of "Do you have any questions before we start?" At that point, you may opt to present your portfolio or state to the interviewer that you have it with you and that you would like to follow along with it because it may contain a clearer idea of the points you would like to bring to the table. Often, the interviewer waits until the end of their spiel and then asks if there are any questions on your part or if you have anything to add. Interviews are nerve wracking, but if you show your nerves or let your nerves get the better of you, you will not be as effective in the interview as you would like to be. And, as silly as this may seem, try to think like an interviewer. What questions would you ask? Write those answers down and practice different ways to say them. thinking like the interviewer, I like that (smiles). Good Advice!!! Hope our advice helps -- Good luck | |
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