ART 421 Visual Communications IV

Interview questions

Here are the interview questions in Download Senior interview questions in pdf format.

More information about Resume

The Graphic Design Resume Guide

Your graphic design resume is going to be just as important as your portfolio, if not more important than your portfolio when it comes to job hunting. This is because most people will examine your resume before they open your portfolio book, meaning your resume is going to be your first impression! You have to remember that the people you will be sending your resume to go through tons of these every day so yours has to be immaculate and memorable, or they wont even bother looking at your portfolio.

Here is the link to the rest of the article.  Check down at the bottom for samples of resumes and other information.

Common Resume Mistakes

By Petrula Vrontikis, Vrontikis Design Office

People in this business are trained to make fast judgments, so avoid these errors in your first impression.

1. “Dear Sir or Madam...”

   Only on a bad day do I feel like either.

   Address me as “Dear Ms. Vrontikis” if you’re the formal type, or just “Dear Petrula.” It’s OK, my studio is small and we are pretty easy-going. The point is to use the level of formality appropriate to the type of firm you send it to. “Mr.” or “Ms.” (never “Mrs.”) is the safest choice for large firms and in-house agencies.

   Beware: “To Whom It May Concern” may be no one—canned cover letters are meaningless. Keep in mind that meaningful letters receive meaningful responses.

   The question to consider is: What unique qualities do I have, and how will these qualities uniquely benefit this firm. Obviously this requires soul-searching and researching. Both of these are in your job description as a job hunter.

   Many times candidates feel the need to present someone other than themselves in a résumé’s content or design. Authenticity is one of the qualities most appreciated by interviewers. Be who you are. If you’re clever—be clever. If you’re not, don’t try to be 

2.  Here is the link to the rest of the article. 

Insights on your Resume

By Steff Geissbuhler, Chermayeff & Geismar Inc.

I can tell a lot from your résumé. It is probably the first I hear of you and therefore an introduction to you as a person and as a professional designer. It's your one-page portfolio. It’s the virtual you.

The way your cover letter is written tells me whether you did your homework before sending off the résumé. Misspelling my name or that of the firm is definitely not a qualifying asset. (I know they’re both difficult names and should be the final round question in a designer’s spelling bee contest.) But come on! You can look it up. We are in the Yellow Pages.

Carefully state your interest and why you want to work for us and why you think you’re just what we’re looking for. Generic flattery isn’t getting you anywhere, but a reference to something which caught your interest might help and tells me that you know something about us.

The résumé itself is definitely information which should demand my undivided attention. It needs to be designed. Your choice of typefaces and typography, the layout and the organization of information, the paper stock, etc., all contribute to the way I perceive you as a potential designer working for us. It also shows me what you can do on a single piece of paper. But high wire acts are dangerous, so keep it simple and readable. (Even David Carson’s business card is ultimately readable.) No elaborate personal logos, please, especially if you’re just out of school. It’s a bit pretentious.

Your résumé needs to motivate me to want to ask for your portfolio. Your education and work experiences are very important, but ultimately it’s the live you, your work and presentation, which make me want to hire you.