TEN INTERIOR DESIGN JOB INTERVIEW TIPS

As you know we are currently celebrating 10 years in business.  To commemorate this great achievement, we have prepared a series of our best suggestions, techniques, ideas, likes, you name it!

 

 

The first of the series is our TEN INTERIOR DESIGN JOB INTERVIEW TIPS. Over the years, I have interviewed a lot of potential employees and they often don’t take these steps that I am about to share - I think these tips will make a better impression with your possible future employer when you are interviewing for a job as an interior designer at a firm.

Once you are involved in the industry, you will find yourself in interview situations constantly - with clients, contractors and various media outlets. Many of these skills can be applied to these situations as well.

I
When you arrive, start with a firm handshake and present your business card. It should be well designed, and consistent with your portfolio. Dress to impress.

II
Please don’t show all your creative work. Showcase your strengths, and talk about them. Have 6 to 8 pieces in your portfolio. Place the best pieces at the front and back. Balance the presentation.

It’s great that you have hobbies… employers don’t always need to know them. Please only include relevant artwork and information in your portfolio and résumé.
If your potential employer requests your portfolio in a digital format, keep the file size to a minimum. Ideally under 2 or 3 MB, to avoid clogging their inbox.

III
Have at least six to eight questions ready to ask (if you have less, you’ll find they will be answered in the course of the interview). Take a moleskin or nice notepad and a quality pen with you. You don’t need to write anything, but It will showcase that you are organized. if you feel it’s appropriate, you can always write suggestions that your possible future employer gives you regarding your portfolio – if the interview doesn’t pan out, you can still use the constructive criticism.

IV
Talk about your work before you show it, but don’t talk too much. This should be one short sentence to engage the interviewer. The employer will be looking at you as you speak. Then show us your work.

V
Include sketches. We are as interested in how you got to the final solution as the solution itself. You can show other concepts – remember learning division in school? You got marks for your work, as well as the final answer.

VI
Have a copy of your résumé at the end of the portfolio. Offer it even if the interviewer already has it.

VII
Be upfront and honest.

VIII
Tell us you really want the job (believe it or not, hardly anyone does this), and ask for the firm’s business card.

IX
When you get back home, send an email or a handwritten note thanking the firm for the interview – Please don’t send presents, that could be considered odd and uncomfortable.

X
Make yourself stand out – Be professional, be yourself and be different!

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