Whether you’re newly qualified or have years of experience, competing for your dream design job can often be challenging. For every job, there are potentially hundreds of candidates battling against you. If you’ve got the abilities and the best mindset, you are worthy of that job – so let us help you stand out with our top tips for acing the interview process. We worked with Careers in Design, specialists in recruiting for interior design jobs to put together these tips to help you prepare.
Be prompt
It might sound obvious, but showing up late to a job interview gives a bad impression, and excuses about late-running trains or traffic jams just will not impress anyone. Clear enough time in your schedule that you’ll be there in excellent time and without sweat pouring off you. The day before your interview, why not do a test run and time how long it takes you to get there, then add a little extra time for any unexpected delays. If you’re unable to do a test run, head to Google maps and see how long it predicts your journey will take using your chosen method of transport. While there, you can even bring up street view so you know EXACTLY where you’re going.
Do your research
This is the most important thing to do when preparing for an interior design job interview, but is all too frequently forgotten. If your reason is you ‘didn’t have time’ then you do not want the job enough and your potential company will know immediately. Take a close take a look at the company’s website and browse the press for stories about them. Make sure you’re fully prepared for the interviewers favourite question of “so, what do you know about the company?”.
Do not be modest
One of the most common errors in interviews is when a candidate soft-pedals their work. You need to be very vocal and confident about your work, your skills, and your accomplishments.
Dress to impress
How you show up and present yourself is essential. The best and safest way to do this is to look smart and professional. Choose clothes that feel the most comfortable, this will help you to feel more confident during your interview. As you’re a designer, adding a bit of personality to your outfit will help to show who you are and possibly start a conversation that will help you stick in the interviewers mind. From a fab piece of modern jewellery to some statement shoes, you can’t go wrong – just keep it tasteful and don’t overdo it!
Sell your skills properly
Companies are always searching for people who can offer something new to their business, but not at the expense of what they really want you to do. Dont’ focus on selling your additional abilities before you have actually reassured the interviewer that you’re capable of doing the particular job you’re talking about. Rather, save these extra abilities until later in the conversation as an excellent way to include value to business in future.
Remember your resumé and portfolio
Even if the company interviewing you has actually seen your resumé, do not presume that part of the application procedure is over. You might well be asked to talk through your resumé in the interview, so ensure you bring several copies with you (you might be interviewed by several people), and acquaint yourself with what you say you’ve done and what you’re able to do. You will likely be asked to talk through your portfolio, so the very same applies to that. (more…)