I have a job interview!

[Tiberius Jim]

I just got the email today from what I sincerely hope will be my future employer that set up my job interview on Friday. This will be my first non-retail job interview, and I am pretty psyched. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that this interview is for my dream job.

The position is Junior Graphic Designer at a very well known video game publisher. The basic functions of the job as I understand them at this pint are doing layouts for catalogs, marketing materials, point-of-sale materials, etc. Basically, I get to do what I've wanted to do since I started school, and better yet I get to do it for a company that makes stuff I enjoy using every day. One of their games is actually a favorite of mine and rarely leaves my Xbox 360.

The commute is a bit of a bummer. Located in Novato, CA, it will be an hour drive one way. I don't mind too much though, what with the aforementioned dream job and the fact that I just bought a new car 4 month gets roughly 26-28 miles per gallon. In my phone interview I expressed nothing but delight about the drive, and made sure they knew I wouldn't let anything get between me and this job.

Not only will I finally be out of retail, but I'll also be making about 2 and a half times as much. It isn't a permanent position yet, but as I understand it they will typically bring someone in on a temp basis and if they perform well, they find a place for them on the team. I'm filling out a non-disclosure agreement to bring to the interview along with my portfolio and resume. I'm also still deciding what to wear, ,if I want to go all out with a suit or not.

They've basically told me they think I'm a perfect fit for the job, so I'm trying to calm my nerves by seeing this as just a formality. I don't want to jinx anything though, so wish me luck!

 

[Jetfire]

Hope you get it, I need to start setting up more interviews...I need cash bad!

 

[Mr. B]

I wouldn't wear a coat to an interview unless it was for a law firm or something where that was the standard attire. A dress shirt and tie wouldn't be bad though. Depending on the situation there, you may very well be the best dressed person in the building. I would guess things can be pretty casual at a video game company.

Oh, and be yourself... and you're biggest fault is you sometimes work too hard.

 

[Tiberius Jim]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. A full on suit and tie might come across as too stiff. I was considering wearing what I wore to my graduation Portfolio Show last month. Maybe a different shirt, but the same basic outfit.

 

[Ruaidhri]

Good luck, Flux!

 

[Joshua Howard]

Best of luck! That sounds like an awesome opportunity for you. When I was a teenager one of my fantasies was to work for Maxis. (the maker of SimCity)

I've got a job interview on Wednesday which I am looking for as well; after being laid off by Macy's earlier this year when they downsized, it looks like I may finally get re-hired. With the job market as it is, I am elated.

There's always alot of different perspectives on dressing for job interviews. I'd say that you should dress for the interview just as you would if you worked at the place. It doesn't make sense to interview for a factory job in a nice suit, because seriously... you're going to be covered in grease and probably be wearing jeans and a T-shirt if they actually hire you.

I personally always dress more or less business casual, so it would be unusual for me to actually not be dressed down more than that. Macy's leans a little more formal though, so I'll be wearing a suit to my interview... as I did daily, when I used to work there.

 

[WillsBabe]

Godo luck. I always admire your art around the board. Tell us how you got on. As to what to wear, you are a different gender to me, different age and in a different country, so I don't think I have much advice. However, after having said that, the advice I've always read is that you should match the dresscode of the place where you are going to work. I think you look well turned out and appropriate in the photo above.

 

[the Dagman]

Good luck Flux. Novato is a nice area from what I hear. Perhaps you will be able to move closer once you are established.

But your mention of Novato reminds me of an old joke I would tell back when I was working at the local Big O Tires shops selling tires and auto repairs. I would tell the latino tire installers there actually was a city in California that did not allow any latinos in it. They'd ask which one. No-vato!

I had to stop telling it when there were guys who did not realize I was joking.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Flux,

Best of luck. Go with a suit! It shows you are serious and these days employers appreciate that. Have questions of your own ready and anticipate the ones they may ask you. Also, do research on the company and base some of your questions on this. Last, remember they want you too. Be confident and go for it.

 

[JustKate]

Godo luck. I always admire your art around the board. Tell us how you got on. As to what to wear, you are a different gender to me, different age and in a different country, so I don't think I have much advice. However, after having said that, the advice I've always read is that you should match the dresscode of the place where you are going to work. I think you look well turned out and appropriate in the photo above.

I agree, except that I'd recommend dressing a little more formally than the average employee there. The reason is that at most places, at least a few people dress more (and sometimes much more) casually than they are supposed to. Most bosses hate that, even if they can't bring themselves to say so, and you don't want to look like a person who can't even follow a dress code. My advice is that you aim to dress at least a little more formally and conservatively than the average employee.

So what you're showing looks great, Flux, IMO. Good luck!

And good luck to you, too, Joshua.

 

[RevDMV]

Flux, good luck!

 

[SeerSGB]

Break a leg, hope it works out the way your want it to.

 

[FPAlpha]

Sounds awesome and i'll keep my fingers crossed for your.

As to the clothing issue.. very hard to tell. Some employers don't expect it (but good streetwear is a must anyway), some do.. you can't say for certain.

I'd say what you wear is really good.. maybe lose the vest as that is more like high finance or management to me and you are applying for a junior position in a creative job where the dresscode is usually very relaxed.

So a nice shirt, pants and tie should be enough.. full business attire would be overkill but i'd advise you to go with your gut. You know the company and the person you'll be talking to better.

Anyway.. congrats. About 80% of the way is done.. now don't screw up the interview bad and walk away with your new job.

And word of advice.. you are high on all kinds of natural drugs but lemme tell you a 2h commute each day will soon become a real pain in the ass.
I have a one hour commute and it's on the edge of what i'm willing to take.

See how it goes on the company and if they offer you a permanent position you might want to consider moving (shorter commute and big savings on fuel).

 

[backstept]

I heard about a guy who showed up for an interview in a storm trooper costume

 

[John Clark]

Good Luck

 

[Shatmandu]

Flux,

My one-way commute is 50 minutes at least, and it's not bad at all.

I make calls, eat, listen to books on tape, whatever. When I get home, I'm free to goof off with the kids.

Joe, goof

 

[RevDMV]

From my understanding (I think he's an East Bay dude) Flux would be driving opposite the commute traffic, so it's not a bad drive.

Long term, shorter commutes are better.

 

[SmoothieX]

A suit, or at least a blazer and tie is never the wrong way to go. Show 'em you're serious about it. There's no harm in looking sharp.

Bring some sample work, have some references in mind they can contact, do your homework on the firm, have a salary range in mind if it comes up, and don't sell yourself short!

 

[Red Ranger]

Flux: There's an old rule of thumb when it comes to dressing for job interviews: Dress like you have a million bucks, not like you really need a job. I've seen some candidates come to job interviews dressed pretty shabbily. You can't go wrong with a nice grey suit, maybe a light grey poplin suit, with a white shirt (point collar preferably) and solid red tie. You should dress as if you were doing a presentation for that firm's clients. -- RR

 

[Holdfast]

Good luck Flux - you've got a good eye for style/design so I hope you get the job!