Mar 29 2009
I’ve got an idea!
Let’s talk about job interviews! This is a post I’ve been thinking about for quite a while and just haven’t gotten down to writing. This is not specifically related to advertising, but I will dedicate it to interviews in the general creative field. In this economy, and in any economy, for that matter, job interviews are critical. Granted, applying for a receptionist job, a construction job, a retail job… is nothing like applying for a job in the visual arts field. For a regular job, you print a nice crisp, professional resume on off-white paper, put on your new shoes and cardigan or blazer or tie, grab those referrals and head out the door to answer questions like, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “Are you willing to work the occasional late night or weekend?” You answer questions, shake their hand and look forward to the call.
For creative positions - this process is a bit more painstaking. First, you produce a top-notch (at least in your opinion) portfolio or demo reel. Then, you spend the money on multiple copies and leave-behinds and jewel cases. You grab a resume, hopefully one that will catch the interviewer’s eye as well as remain professional, your baby (portfolio) and head out to have each and every image critiqued and torn apart, sometimes laughed at and hopefully more often, praised. Everything from the kerning in your type to the one single frame in your short film that’s off, one printing mistake to one poorly rendered animation undergoes intense magnification.
So, let’s hear the stories. Who has had absolutely amazing interviews (which hopefully resulted in an amazing job) and who has had heart-breaking interviews where one thing after another went wrong? Or anything in between. I want to hear them. To start them off, here are a few of my interviews (or almost interviews.)
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I got a call after applying online to a small advertising company in Chicago. I got to the front desk 15 minutes early and was told that I would be interviewing with Tim, the guy from the online department, instead of Heather, the art director who was in charge of hiring. Why this change up? She had a pilates class and “accidentally” double-booked herself, and although she knew about it on Friday, she did not see fit to call me before the 10:30am interview on Monday. So instead, I was asked a few questions like - “Where did you get your degree?” “Do you like Chicago? Better than Georgia?” “Do you think it’s going to keep raining today?” And, as I pulled out my portfolio and opened it, Tim stood up and shook my hand, mentioning that since he was not in charge of hiring, he had no need to see my portfolio. Of course, I asked if I could reschedule with Heather, who was in charge of hiring and did need to see my portfolio and was told that she was pretty booked, but would get back in touch with me if she saw fit. Of course, she returned my follow-up call and email with one of her own, stating that they decided to go in a different direction than my creative talent allowed. I still feel like I was pretty cheated.
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Another “interview” I went on took place in what I consider a dirtier part of Chicago. I don’t live in the city and am not familiar with the worst neighborhoods, or even the semi-bad ones, but this one was pretty gross, and the building had no sign on the door, nor an address. I showed up for what I was told was a “freelance advertising and marketing position, with the potential to become permanent” at the same time as another gentleman. We both went to the front window and told the only person to stop by that I had an 11am interview with Bruce. The guy asked us to sit down and he’d let him know. After lots of small talk in this very small lobby, I realize that it’s been almost 30 minutes and go back up to the desk where I am told, again, to wait. So I do. After another 30 minutes, a guy I’ve never seen before comes up and asks what I’m waiting for, I tell him I’m waiting for Bruce and he says, “I am Bruce. I don’t work with these people, I just rent a desk from them, I didn’t know you were waiting.” So I sit down with him, at this tiny little brown desk and he proceeds to explain that the position is this - I pay to rent a desk in this warehouse next to his, he goes out and generates business for us, and we both invest in the products to do small advertising and marketing projects - like the paper, the printers and computer software. So, turns out he was looking for a business partner, not design help. Boo-hoo. He had a lazy eye, too, and those guys just make me uncomfortable. I told him I’d call him with my decision (he seemed desperate enough to want an answer now) and I did, because that’s the polite thing to do. Of course, it was a no and I drove home defeated.
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So, who else has interview stories? Any at all - send them in a comment, email them to me. I love hearing these things. Or, who has tips and tricks for landing a great interview, a great hiring story, etc. Send them in!
I feel you on this. I too am in the creative field and finding a job, let alone an interview, is damn impossible.
Bah… I hate interviews because you always have to lie. Every interview I have gone on prior to 2008 and have lied (even the slightest lie like “Yes, I love working with other people” or “I feel I have great customer service”) at I have gotten the job… every job interview I have gone to and told the truth about everything I was denied the job during the interview.
The last job interview I went on I showed up 4 hours early because I was unfamiliar with that part of the city and didn’t want to be even remotely late. I took my time at a nearby coffee house and went in about 20 minutes prior to the slated time. I met with my “interviewer” and was informed that the first meeting was not an interview but a test. If I passed the 1st test, I would then be allowed to take the 2nd test. If I passed that one I would be allowed an interview.
I took the first test, handed it in, and was told I had the best scores from the people they had tested and I “really knew [my] stuff.” I took the 2nd test and the interviewer was very impressed with my answers. I was told I would hear back in a week.
A week passed and I contacted him to ask how the search was going. He told me he’d write back later. I receive an email saying they went with someone else. I was livid. I didn’t get the fucking chance to show them my art, my resume, or my demo reel. I didn’t even get a step in the door after I “wowed” them with my tests. Bah…fuck it.