Knock knock. It’s a lovely Saturday afternoon and you wonder – who could possibly be interrupting your bliss (including a large turkey sandwich and reruns of your favorite 80’s sitcom – insert for me – Perfect Strangers). You open the door with your speech prepared for the following:
• Candy/Girl Scout cookie sales – you may budge if they have Carmel deLites.
• Religious group passing out literature – always a fun bunch.
• Pesky siding salesman – even though your house is made of bricks
• WAIT – it could be your Mary Kay order. That would be awesome.
• Free pizza – you wouldn’t be terribly upset if a free pizza showed up.
As you open the door, you find two gentleman representing ABC Landscaping and they have in tow – hedge clippers, a lawnmower, and a bag of mulch. They look legit. And then you ask – “I do need some help with my landscaping – might you have some photographs of past work with you so I can gauge your design style and past successes?” They blink, look at you dumbfounded, point to the hedge clippers and say “We are very good.” The door closes and your lawn continues to be plagued by dandelions.
Why? PROOF. We all need proof. We need to believe you are a champion landscaper by showing us the amazing lawn work you did for Johnny Depp – yes I know Johnny Depp doesn’t live in my neighborhood but I can dream.
The point you ask? Time and time again I have this conversation with talent and the importance of proof. Being in the business of Interactive Design and Development – the proof is in the portfolio.
Here are my 8 tips to help your job search simply by maintaining a stellar portfolio:
• Spy. You heard me. Check out your competition. In this world of Internet accessibility, check out who you are going up against in this marketplace. Look at their portfolios… Do you walk away feeling wowed/jealous? What can you incorporate in yours? Creative hotlist, Krop, Behance, Coroflot, etc. Great places to start.
• I know you’ve been working and your portfolio is three years old because you haven’t had time to update it – but let’s be honest…you need to find time to update it. Your portfolio is one of the few things in life that SHOULD be kept up to date. (Apart from your Netflix subscription and dentist appointments).
• BYOBM – Be your own best marketer. Does your portfolio accurately display the type of work you can do and have done? As much as hiring managers love hearing “I know it’s not in my portfolio but I did some really cool work for XYZ….” Put in those pieces that you are excited about. Your excitement will come through.
• Stay away from portfolio styles that can exhaust a hiring manager. Case in point, I often have to spend several minutes trying to figure out how to navigate a portfolio before realizing that … OH! I have to click on those TINY little thumbnails at the bottom to view each piece. If a hiring manager is going to become fatigued or feel stressed by your portfolio, it’s truly not helping you.
o Simplicity is key
o Large graphics grab attention
o Easy navigation – are the arrows easy to find?
o Basic descriptions of your contribution
• So you designed an AMAZING web 2.0 site and you’re applying to a web 2.0 role that is PERFECT considering that most recent job you completed? If that’s the case, the manager should be able to find said work in 2 seconds. If they have to hunt for it, they won’t. I repeat – make it easy for them.
• I realize that it’s much easier to use your portfolio for multiple purposes including advertising your best friend’s photography business, your interests in hiking including vacation photos, your amazing progress in brewing your own beer, dating info, etc. But for the sake of argument – just go with me on this one. Less is more in terms of personal information. And please please please – no pictures of you sunning yourself on vacation. You laugh but it happens.
• Keep in mind your web portfolio is still a website – it must function as such. Think of what frustrates you about certain sites and evaluate whether or not the usability/functionality of your portfolio is up to snuff.
• And finally……the links should work. ☺ That’s it. They should work. Sound like a no-brainer? Seriously – check it. In multiple browsers. You’d be surprised.
To wrap up, please keep in mind that your portfolio is a reflection of you, your skill level, and your overall work (aka – what YOU offer) so whatever you create and send should truly be stellar, impressive, updated, comprehensive, and COMPLETE. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression………. Unless, the hiring manager has short term amnesia and let’s face it – this isn’t Falcon Crest (80’s primetime soap featuring Lorenzo Lamas – Google it – it was INCREDIBLE).
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
How to answer the toughest interview question..
Suit? No suit? Business casual…. What does that even mean? It’s 95 degrees out and you’re hauling down the street in a full suit, button down, and tie. You’re lost. AWESOME… and to top it off, you have about 1 minute to find where you’re interviewing and all of a sudden – nobody around you seems to speak English. Wait? So Park Street turns into Park Place but I have to cross over the highway? AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Nightmare? NOPE. It’s called interviewing. No matter how much you prepare, or feel comfortable, or read the different schools of opinion on the subject, they are still hands down one of the most uncomfortable situations to be in. Plus – that feeling of dread when you walk into the interview on a Friday wearing your suit while producing gallons of sweat – because suits are not really breathable – and you realize that it’s casual Friday. So there you stand, covered in sweat, clutching your briefcase/messenger bag – and you come trotting in as all heads swivel in your direction and you know what they’re thinking……..
“Here for an interview – ugh…… looks really hot and uncomfortable in that suit. SUCKS TO BE HIM.”
So you’re cruising through the interview. You’ve remembered the criticals:
• Make eye contact
• Firm handshake
• Thoughtful answers
• You’ve studied the company forward/backward
• You’ve formulated fantastic fact-finding questions
• You brought copies of your resume
• You truly want/enjoy the role and are selling your interest to the interviewer
• You are charming, engaging.
And now…… the final question. The interviewer stops, picks up his very expensive pen that could weigh upwards of a pound and says very matter-of-factly “Well John. I have to say you seem like a great fit for XYZ Corporation. So now let me ask you – what is your salary requirement?”
And it happens…. You feel yourself slipping into the void and your chair turns into a Venus Fly Trap (similar to Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors). What do you say?
• What you “WANT” to be making?
• What you “NEED” to be making,?
• What you “HAVE BEEN” making?
…… oh jeez!!! What if you overprice yourself? What if you underprice yourself and they could have paid you $10k more? OH THE MADNESS!!!
Let’s face it – money is THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO TALK ABOUT. (Close 2nd – when a friend has something hanging out of their nose). Take a deep breath, remember this blog, and remember these tips:
Kelly’s 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation
• #1 – You are not there for charity and neither are they. It is a given that you are there to make a living – money is critical to “making a living.”
• #2 – They will rarely if ever quote a salary range to you out of the gate and if they do – it’s a vast range. Ie. This role will pay between $20k and $120k. Very similar to the cable guy’s work schedule.
• #3 – There are ways for companies to verify salary so whatever you do – do not blatantly lie about your prior salary history.
• #4 – I understand that you felt underpaid at your last job but an increase from $40k to $95k may be a hard sell to that company. If you TRULY believe that a $55k INCREASE is something you deserve, have reasons to back it up including what the market cost is for someone completing those tasks.
• #5 – KNOW YOUR MARKET – Are you a copywriter? What do other copywriters make on average. It is a much more convincing argument to say “I am looking for X based upon my prior salary and knowledge of the industry average of X amount.”
• #6 – “I’m flexible” is not an answer to a salary question. Gymnastics questions? YES. Salary questions – no.
• #7 - You should consider your three ranges and know them well. Your ideal salary range, your true salary range, and your bottom salary range – meaning that if you go below that range, paying your bills becomes difficult.
• #8 - Research the company you’re interviewing with – are they known for lower salary ranges but have AWESOME perks/vacation time, etc?
• #9 – Other than salary, what are your motivating factors? Do you want more time off? Do you really want a strong healthcare plan? Is there room for advancement in this company that would warrant a pay decrease in the interim because the overall long-term potential for growth is there?
• #10 – As hilarious as we all find it, $1 million-zillion dollars in the voice of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers is never the right answer.
If in doubt and you are truly uncomfortable, simply say “My most recent salary/current salary is $55k and based upon this role - ” and go from there. It sets the standard for the conversation without backing you in to an undesirable salary range.
Happy Job Hunting!
Nightmare? NOPE. It’s called interviewing. No matter how much you prepare, or feel comfortable, or read the different schools of opinion on the subject, they are still hands down one of the most uncomfortable situations to be in. Plus – that feeling of dread when you walk into the interview on a Friday wearing your suit while producing gallons of sweat – because suits are not really breathable – and you realize that it’s casual Friday. So there you stand, covered in sweat, clutching your briefcase/messenger bag – and you come trotting in as all heads swivel in your direction and you know what they’re thinking……..
“Here for an interview – ugh…… looks really hot and uncomfortable in that suit. SUCKS TO BE HIM.”
So you’re cruising through the interview. You’ve remembered the criticals:
• Make eye contact
• Firm handshake
• Thoughtful answers
• You’ve studied the company forward/backward
• You’ve formulated fantastic fact-finding questions
• You brought copies of your resume
• You truly want/enjoy the role and are selling your interest to the interviewer
• You are charming, engaging.
And now…… the final question. The interviewer stops, picks up his very expensive pen that could weigh upwards of a pound and says very matter-of-factly “Well John. I have to say you seem like a great fit for XYZ Corporation. So now let me ask you – what is your salary requirement?”
And it happens…. You feel yourself slipping into the void and your chair turns into a Venus Fly Trap (similar to Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors). What do you say?
• What you “WANT” to be making?
• What you “NEED” to be making,?
• What you “HAVE BEEN” making?
…… oh jeez!!! What if you overprice yourself? What if you underprice yourself and they could have paid you $10k more? OH THE MADNESS!!!
Let’s face it – money is THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO TALK ABOUT. (Close 2nd – when a friend has something hanging out of their nose). Take a deep breath, remember this blog, and remember these tips:
Kelly’s 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation
• #1 – You are not there for charity and neither are they. It is a given that you are there to make a living – money is critical to “making a living.”
• #2 – They will rarely if ever quote a salary range to you out of the gate and if they do – it’s a vast range. Ie. This role will pay between $20k and $120k. Very similar to the cable guy’s work schedule.
• #3 – There are ways for companies to verify salary so whatever you do – do not blatantly lie about your prior salary history.
• #4 – I understand that you felt underpaid at your last job but an increase from $40k to $95k may be a hard sell to that company. If you TRULY believe that a $55k INCREASE is something you deserve, have reasons to back it up including what the market cost is for someone completing those tasks.
• #5 – KNOW YOUR MARKET – Are you a copywriter? What do other copywriters make on average. It is a much more convincing argument to say “I am looking for X based upon my prior salary and knowledge of the industry average of X amount.”
• #6 – “I’m flexible” is not an answer to a salary question. Gymnastics questions? YES. Salary questions – no.
• #7 - You should consider your three ranges and know them well. Your ideal salary range, your true salary range, and your bottom salary range – meaning that if you go below that range, paying your bills becomes difficult.
• #8 - Research the company you’re interviewing with – are they known for lower salary ranges but have AWESOME perks/vacation time, etc?
• #9 – Other than salary, what are your motivating factors? Do you want more time off? Do you really want a strong healthcare plan? Is there room for advancement in this company that would warrant a pay decrease in the interim because the overall long-term potential for growth is there?
• #10 – As hilarious as we all find it, $1 million-zillion dollars in the voice of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers is never the right answer.
If in doubt and you are truly uncomfortable, simply say “My most recent salary/current salary is $55k and based upon this role - ” and go from there. It sets the standard for the conversation without backing you in to an undesirable salary range.
Happy Job Hunting!
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