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At A Job Interview do you Bring a Portfolio?

L

louden_swain

New member
???

I think I may get an interview in the next couple of months and I am in the process of udpating my portfolio.

This includes projects I have completed in previous jobs (databases, land use change detection, air photo processing, and mapping)

Sample writings. . papers

Posters I have presented at colloquiums.

Does this sound reasonable? How many of you have a portfolio put together?

I think this will be a good way to show projects I have completed in the real world. . . (I know it sounds cheesy)

Give me your thoughts.
 
I reall ythink its a good idea. If they go into details and will start asking you about your experience and work you have done, you will have more than just words to sell yourself
 
Depends on the level of job you're applying for, and what the company's hiring process is. If it's a standard multiple-interview format, I'd save actually bringing the portfolio for the second interview...just mention that you can provide your portfolio if desired at the first.
 
revexrevex said:
I reall ythink its a good idea. If they go into details and will start asking you about your experience and work you have done, you will have more than just words to sell yourself
Click to expand...

Thanks Rev. . I have recently applied for a position in my hometown. . in Kansas

Here is what I have done so far:

1. completed an application
2. sent a cover letter
3. sent a resume
4. sent a reference list

Now, I am udpating my portfolio. .

I like the town, I am pleased with the salary, and I have previous experience in this area.

I want to do whatever it takes to get a contact and successfully pass the interview.

I plan to call in a week or two to get updates.

On thursday, I made a trip up north to deliver the items I mentioned above. . I handed those items to the assistant director. I also had a chance to talk to him briefly.

I have suddenly lost interest in all the other jobs I applied for. . lol.

Anyway, keep the comments coming.


Rev, didn't you get a professional position recently?
 
Depends on the job. For art, media, design, yes I would but otherwise, if applying for a management, lawyer, accounting.... they should usually already have all the info required and the interview will mostly be looking for your interpersonnal capacities. So all you need is brain and balls.
 
canadianhitman said:
Depends on the level of job you're applying for, and what the company's hiring process is. If it's a standard multiple-interview format, I'd save actually bringing the portfolio for the second interview...just mention that you can provide your portfolio if desired at the first.
Click to expand...

Thats a good point.

This is a professional position.

Everything seems straightforward. . . .there was no mention of two interviews.

I do have to pass a drug screening and criminal background check before employment. . . which is fine
 
manny78 said:
Depends on the job. For art, media, design, yes I would but otherwise, if applying for a management, lawyer, accounting.... they should usually already have all the info required and the interview will mostly be looking for your interpersonnal capacities. So all you need is brain and balls.
Click to expand...

Thanks!!

It working for the city as an Associate Planner.

This job requires strong oral and communication skills. . since I will be dealing with citizens and government.
 
louden_swain said:


Thats a good point.

This is a professional position.

Everything seems straightforward. . . .there was no mention of two interviews.

I do have to pass a drug screening and criminal background check before employment. . . which is fine
Click to expand...

AT this point, if you were called for an interview, it's probably because they have no doubt about your skills. They just wanna make sure if you fit in their business. It's almost a lottery.
 
I interview a lot of people for all kinds of jobs.

You can almost never go wrong by being more prepared.
 
Thanks for the comments!!

Here is one other thing. . the position requires AT LEAST a Master's Degree. . .I am in the process of finishing my graduate program (by December 2003). All I have left to do is finish up my thesis and defend in December, then I will officially meet the educational requirements. . .you think its OK to float it like this?

I had to start applying early because it takes time to process this information. . its not one of those jobs you can start next week.

Its all about timing and making that transition.
 
MattTheSkywalker said:
I interview a lot of people for all kinds of jobs.

You can almost never go wrong by being more prepared.
Click to expand...

Thats good to know!!

I have a buddy who gets a job anywhere he goes because he incorporate the carpet bombing campaign and has a portfolio that is overwhelming. . he has never lost a battle in an interview.

I am willing to pick up my skirt and grab my balls to master the interview.

I shall be prepared.

Help me think of other items that I can bring along.
 
Louden if this is a proffesional position then most likely there are two itnerviews. One is usually a screening process by your managers/bosses,a nd if you pass that they set you up with the Human Resource department, which will go into depth about your previous work experience, education, any projects you have done and etc. Atleast this is how it has happened to me, and for the 2nd interview those materials you mentioned would be very useful. It is weird that they requested your references already, usually they request the references if you had passed all the interviews. Sounds like this is a corporation or a big business, because they check your criminal background and piss drug test?
 
louden_swain said:


Thats good to know!!

I have a buddy who gets a job anywhere he goes because he incorporate the carpet bombing campaign and has a portfolio that is overwhelming. . he has never lost a battle in an interview.

I am willing to pick up my skirt and grab my balls to master the interview.

I shall be prepared.

Help me think of other items that I can bring along.
Click to expand...

Our interviews are not battlgreounds. We have a preliminary screening, then a first interview. If we like that, then we do a psychological profile. Candidates who pass that get a second interview.

We have the exact candidate we are looking for in ind,and we select the person closest to that. Our procedure is lengthy and not really that common.

In your position, preparing will go a long way. Make sure you demonstarte flexibility; if your portfolio turns people off, be prepared to defend it while expanding on what else you can do....
 
MattTheSkywalker said:


Our interviews are not battlgreounds. We have a preliminary screening, then a first interview. If we like that, then we do a psychological profile. Candidates who pass that get a second interview.

We have the exact candidate we are looking for in ind,and we select the person closest to that. Our procedure is lengthy and not really that common.

In your position, preparing will go a long way. Make sure you demonstarte flexibility; if your portfolio turns people off, be prepared to defend it while expanding on what else you can do....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips!! My portfolio is diversified and displays hard evidence that I have worked with information that is used in planning.

I've got stuff ranging from land use/land cover mapping, database development (transportation/employment), air photo/remote sensing for urban/LU change applications, and plenty of quantitative data showing growth rates.

I plan to organize this portofolio in sections.
 
is it an overly bureaucratic job or will you have some autnomoy? How are responsibilities divided in the department?
 
MattTheSkywalker said:
is it an overly bureaucratic job or will you have some autnomoy? How are responsibilities divided in the department?
Click to expand...

I don't think it is bureauctaric. . . . here in the OKC area it is. For the most part, the job is autonomous. . but you still work with staff members and under the planning director.

There are a number of divisions, which include:

1. Historic Preservation
2. Transportation
3. Land Use
4. Annexation
5. Comprehensive Plans

Everyone has different and a variety of tasks.

There are actually a number of vacancies, but the budget can only fill two positions right now.
 
I wouldn't do that raising your skirt thing, I think that may be a bit offensive in Kansas. Grabbing your nuts is OK if you're interviewing to be a second baseman, but not a city planner.
 
louden_swain said:
bump for more suggestions and advice.
Click to expand...

It is a professional position so I would have a portfolio prepared and ready to go. Make sure you have thought about what each piece in the portfolio shows and what sort of opportunities might arise where you can show it off.

Worst case scenario is that you dont need it this time........but at least you were ready.
 
Louden - I suggest you rip the dress pants and the dress shirt's sleeves to show off your guns and quads. Drink some beer before the interview, and hit some 20 rep squats in the local 24 hour gym. The job will be yours my jacked Oklahoma friend.
 
I told my references to say "Alex has a big deadlift" if the people from my job would ask "What are his strengths"
 
For real...

I work in the HR dept of a local site of the 3rd largest corp in the US. Our interviews are pretty tame, actually. There are usually a team of interviewers, culturally diverse, in addition to the hiring supervisor. I would have the portfolio at hand, or call ahead & see if they would like to see it. We typically only look at a regular application and resume'. If I were hiring someone with your skillset, it would be very impressive to see what you've done. I believe it would be to your advantage to have a tangible example of your research and work.

Good luck, broly
 
revexrevex said:
I told my references to say "Alex has a big deadlift" if the people from my job would ask "What are his strengths"
Click to expand...

That's a great one. I think I'll put it in examples for our interviewing classes!
 
louden_swain said:


I don't think it is bureauctaric. . . . here in the OKC area it is. For the most part, the job is autonomous. . but you still work with staff members and under the planning director.

There are a number of divisions, which include:

1. Historic Preservation
2. Transportation
3. Land Use
4. Annexation
5. Comprehensive Plans

Everyone has different and a variety of tasks.

There are actually a number of vacancies, but the budget can only fill two positions right now.
Click to expand...

Well, obviously you will have to demonstrate competency in those areas. I am not sure if they will get into how to apply the above with common sense city planning principles; for example, we have areas in jacksonville where you can't remodel the exterior of the house because of historical guidelines, and other areas where you can do whatever the hell you want as long as it is in keeping with the style ofthe area.

when I built my house, guess where I chose? The part that allows free development of the city has shot up in price; the more restrictive part has gone up some but not much.

That would be an example ofbad city planning. I wonder if they wil ask about sitaution issues like that.

Also - will you need to demonstrate competency in construction and engineering? If so, the portfoilo could be a big asset here.


More subjective - it will help you if you can talk about teamwork - you have autonomy but also city planning is a team game. If you can share expereinces of how you work with constituencies to maximize results (in city planning, everyone always wants favors...align them and get the best results is how hte best planners operate...)

If you can relay stories like that you'll be in good shape, especially if your portfolio backs them up.
 
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