Successful Job Search/ Interview Tips
The following suggestions for GSD students are drawn from a panel discussion on interviewing. Panelists included: • • • • Pam Shadley, MLA ’86, Principal, CRJA, landscape architecture George Takoudes, MArch ‘96, Associate Principal, Payette Associates, architecture Bob Miklos, MArch ’79, Principal, Ann Beha Architects, a firm specializing in cultural and educational architecture as well as historic preservation. Previously, a principal at Schwartz Silver. Cliff Boehmer, MArch ’87, Mostue & Associates, specializing in affordable housing.
When you apply for jobs, please remember that the partners, human resources personnel, or associates in charge of hiring are extremely busy people. Therefore, you should: • • • Always have a cover letter with your resume. The cover letter must be addressed to someone who is working in that firm. It is very important to mention the person who referred you, e.g. one of your instructors or a GSD alumna/us. Absolutely attach a color design so that you stand out from the crowd. Along with your resume, send only 3 or 4 of your most exciting images just to pique the interest of the firm.
If the chemistry is right, if you know what you would like to do and how to fit in, you can typically find a way to “get your foot in the door.” Your resume and portfolio will accomplish the most in the beginning. • Make this process as easy as possible for potential employers. • In your initial project examples, show a design image as well as a range of skills and CAD detail. Very few people have a specialty. • Employers are trying to discern during the interview if a candidate works well on a team, is willing to work overtime, and is ambitious. Prior to the interview: Many firms provide office tours. We encourage you to speak with someone who was recently hired. A firm should be willing to allow this, and be careful if they do not. The two most important determining factors in hiring are: • • Quality of work/portfolio: You must also be able to clearly discuss your work. Practice explaining your portfolio upside down. Personality: Employers like to see candidates with enthusiasm and an understanding of how to research issues and employ critical problem solving skills. Come with confidence that you can contribute to a firm. Many firms look for people who are flexible in their work.
You must decide, especially if you have more than one degree, if you would like to present yourself as a generalist or a specialist. Do not confuse firms with your own personal dilemma. A candidate with a clear idea of a desired career path is attractive to employers. Trying to look overly flexible causes you to appear unfocused and confused. Be specific in your own mind about your goals before the interview. Employers will look to see if you have that right mix of ego and humility. Can you work your way in? Do you posses the basic skills for the job? The Interview: Questions, Answers, Dos & Don’ts, and Presentation of Portfolio and Person Do’s: • • • • • • • • • Take a 5-10 minute office tour before the interview. This helps you to become more comfortable. Be relaxed and natural. Describe your work in a clear and precise manner. When the interviewer asks for more information on a specific project, give it freely. Offer examples and be succinct. Convey confidence, informality and accessibility. Be responsive to the questions. Address each question directly. Convey that you want exposure to a firm and are eager to learn. Show a mature understanding of the process, i.e. how well you manage projects, communicate with consultants, etc. Walk the interviewer through your portfolio and resume in a very concise way. A brief page-by-page explanation with good verbal articulation of concept and detail is advised. Do make an effort to present clear, strong ideas. Of great interest are: o 3-d representational skills o Drawings o Hand drawing is a great asset. 3-d images rendered by hand are very useful in the portfolio.
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Make sure that your portfolio includes documenting exercises related to thesis material as well as the official document itself. Employers search for completeness of representation in the thesis. If the interviewer is savvy they will look to see how the project is documented to better understand your work ethic and level of accomplishment. Portfolios should not contain all of your work. Take the opportunity to highlight a few stronger images. Do not bias your portfolio to your taste alone and be careful not to showcase unrelated work. Do include nontraditional experience that is relevant, e.g. work in a construction company or in furniture building. In this case it is ideal to bring construction documents. They should not be overwhelmingly fancy, simply a roll of drawings or a reduced set of drawings.
Suggestions for “The Perfect Interview”: • • • • • • • • • • Arrive on time (not ten minutes early, not late). Physically you should be well represented – not underdressed and with good hygiene. If the firm’s dress code is “business casual,” it’s still better to overdress for the interview than to appear too casual. Your most crucial task is to explain the resume. Then, make sure your portfolio is facing the interviewer (or turned upside down for you). Practice your English if this is a challenge for you. Practice talking about your role in a particular studio. It is not a bad thing to have had big studio work with others as a team. However, the interviewer will want to know your contribution to that work. Discuss what you have learned, what was important to you, what are you most proud of. Show some design and provide a detailed explanation. Be as comfortable and informal as possible but enthusiastic. A sense of humor is an asset.
Informational interviews: Informational interviews are often granted upon request. In this situation, you are talking to a peer to learn more about an organization and to gain advice. Inquire about the kind of work in progress, major successes and challenges, competitors in the marketplace. Ask if the interviewer is happy at the firm. In particular, try to elicit information that will be useful in future contact with the firm. This conversation can be very helpful to you in deciding if this is the type of employer you prefer. Be sure to send a thank you note shortly after your meeting. An informational interview is an opportunity for you to make a positive impression and gain the inside track when a job becomes available. Career Fair interviews: The purpose of the career fair is to “prescreen” and to determine which candidates will be offered the opportunity to go on to the next round of interviews. Employers see a lot of people at once at career fairs. Our advice: go to the Career Fair at the beginning of the event. Employers will be fresh and you are more likely to receive their full attention. Prior to the Career Fair, identify which employers are of most interest to you. Research them carefully and ask targeted questions at the Fair. We strongly recommend that you take a strategic approach: • • DO NOT walk up to all of the employers with questions such as “Tell me about your firm”. STAND OUT from the crowd by introducing yourself and explaining why you have been eager to meet with this particular firm.
What not to do on an interview: • • • NO LYING. People want to say that they did more. Don’t. Stay within yourself without elaborating on what you cannot do. DO NOT BE APOLOGETIC even when pointing out problems with a particular project in your portfolio. Simply state: “It fell short here or there.” NO WHINING. If you have previous work experience, do not be negative about a previous employer. Don’t blame other firms or people. Put a “positive spin” on old negative matters.
An interview, like a salary negotiation, is two-sided. You are interviewing the firm, too, and employers look to see how well you do this. Be specific and aware and cognizant of what the firms do and what kind of opportunities they have. Does the extent of services provided by the firm earn you your license? You need to have a job in which you have constant exposure to continuing education. On Negotiating Salary: The interviewer will ask about your salary expectations. Here are some helpful tips: • Do your homework; know the current salary range BEFORE you interview. • If pressed on your salary expectations, talk about “fair market rate.” • Inquire about sign-up bonuses and moving expense coverage. • Do not have more rigid expectations with each additional degree. Perhaps you have worked for a year or two or a number of summers or part time. These years of experience translate to dollars in your salary. The accumulated years of experience should be accurately reflected in your resume and throughout the interview/ negotiating process. The pressure on the employer’s side is partly from within the office, but there are creative ways to negotiate. Remember that negotiation is two-sided. As the interviewee, you must weigh the opportunity and the experience you possess against the salary offer. Larger firms pay slightly higher salaries than medium sized firms, but the medium sized firm can provide a better experience. Most firms have parity in terms of health insurance. Depending on the business climate, bonuses may be discussed. However, the primary focus of the negotiation should be on salary. After the interview: • • • Jot down a few notes about the interview while the experience is fresh in your mind. Be sure to send a thank you note to each person who took the time to interview you. Personalize each note. If you have a contact with a friend or faculty member who works at the firm, work with and through that person to follow up.
Revised July, 2005