Interview question re: sample work.

[silva]

I have an interview tomorrow and they asked me to bring in an examples of my marketing work to discuss and what it achieved.

They are asking for examples with graphic design, social media and web work. The problem, I don't have any recent completed web work.  The stuff I had is now no longer online or not finalized.


They didn't specify it having to be online or printed.

So my question is.

Do I take print out of the main splash page of the website I'm working on and explain it's a work in progress but outline the overall needs the business needed.

or

what?  Looking for suggestions. 

Thanks!

[janiejones]

Do what you are comfortable with.

Bring in whatever print stuff you can, and if you have any media stuff bring that too. Otherwise just give details as you can.

[zoidberg]

Can you ask how they would prefer it? Or maybe send a CD with the files on it so they can view it on a computer?

[silva]

Sept 2, 2014 18:17:07 GMT -5 zoidberg said:

Can you ask how they would prefer it? Or maybe send a CD with the files on it so they can view it on a computer?

I have an online portfolio set and the same content in a printed version. I plan to bring my ipad in hopes they have wifi.

My question is though specifically about the website. I feel like they gave me a checklist. We want to see an example of A, B and C work....

I don't have C completed.  What do I do?

[dexteroni]

I would take a small print portfolio and put the same files on a flash drive or CD that you can leave with them if they want it. If they just want to see the end work and talk about what it achieved, PDFs are probably fine. It's probably also not a bad idea to have a couple stapled copies of the print portfolio to leave with them along with your resume, if they want it.

Everyone who has ever instructed me about putting together a portfolio of sample work has warned against just sending website links anyway, because clients / companies can F up web pages and online content. Plus, if you're sitting in a conference room where no one is in front of their computer or has a laptop with them, it's easier just to open a portfolio and show an image.

[emjacobs]

Always bring your portfolio in a printed version, bring the wireframes, etc that you have for whatever web work you've done / are working on. Bring a flash drive with your work that you can leave with them if they want it.

[silva]

NEXT QUESTION.

Do you think there is an advantage to the type of project you showcase?

Does candidate A who highlights one project with more results have a better shot than candidate B's project that is just as strong work (graphically) but isn't as strong in the results?

Or does the overall project at hand have value? ie... Assigned to bring in more attendance to event vs. assigned to sell more product.

Know what I mean?

[dexteroni]

Sept 2, 2014 18:22:57 GMT -5 silva said:

I feel like they gave me a checklist. We want to see an example of A, B and C work....

I don't have C completed.  What do I do?

I would bring examples of what C will look like, let them know it's still in progress, and talk about how it will work and what it will accomplish.

[silva]

Sept 2, 2014 18:30:30 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Sept 2, 2014 18:22:57 GMT -5 silva said:

I feel like they gave me a checklist. We want to see an example of A, B and C work....

I don't have C completed.  What do I do?

I would bring examples of what C will look like, let them know it's still in progress, and talk about how it will work and what it will accomplish.

Thank you. 

[dexteroni]

Sept 2, 2014 18:29:08 GMT -5 silva said:

Does candidate A who highlights one project with more results have a better shot than candidate B's project that is just as strong work (graphically) but isn't as strong in the results?

Or does the overall project at hand have value? ie... Assigned to bring in more attendance to event vs. assigned to sell more product.

Bring several examples which collectively highlight all of your skills. When discussing each project, talk up the best parts of each.

There is no objective best project. The company you're interviewing with might have a preference, but if you don't know what that is, we sure don't, lol. Really, the best projects are the ones that show that you understood what the client wanted, and were able to accomplish that. So be sure to mention that - "this client was specifically trying to increase attendance at this event, even if it didn't result in immediate sales. So we focused on A and B." "This client was more focused on increasing sales, whether it was by attracting new customers or by selling more to existing ones. So we focused on X, Y, and Z." Etc.

[silva]

Sept 2, 2014 18:38:40 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Sept 2, 2014 18:29:08 GMT -5 silva said:

Does candidate A who highlights one project with more results have a better shot than candidate B's project that is just as strong work (graphically) but isn't as strong in the results?

Or does the overall project at hand have value? ie... Assigned to bring in more attendance to event vs. assigned to sell more product.

Bring several examples which collectively highlight all of your skills. When discussing each project, talk up the best parts of each.

There is no objective best project. The company you're interviewing with might have a preference, but if you don't know what that is, we sure don't, lol. Really, the best projects are the ones that show that you understood what the client wanted, and were able to accomplish that. So be sure to mention that - "this client was specifically trying to increase attendance at this event, even if it didn't result in immediate sales. So we focused on A and B." "This client was more focused on increasing sales, whether it was by attracting new customers or by selling more to existing ones. So we focused on X, Y, and Z." Etc.

Thank you.