• An art interview comes with special expectations for the interviewee.Art pencils image by jaddingt from Fotolia.com
  
  Art and graphic design interviews come with their own special set of expectations. They have the potential to be quite technical as the interviewer will be attempting to assess if you have the experience and specific skills for the job. This means that you must go to an art interview ready to show your work as well as to tell about your relevant background, training and experience.
  
  

What To Say

• In any interview, it’s important to be clear and to the point. Even though you are being interviewed for an art job, don’t assume your interviewer is familiar with the same artists, materials and techniques with which you are familiar. CVtips suggests keeping your responses brief and free of jargon. Try not to digress or get into extraneous areas. Your top job is to provide straightforward answers to the questions you are asked, not to have a general discussion of art or artistic technique. They also advise that you not offer commentary on your own work. Let the interviewer make his own judgments.
  
  

What To Show

• During the interview you will be expected to show your work. Lee Newham, design director at London-based Davies Hall, recommends talking about your work before you show it, but not saying too much. You might simply mention the assignment that resulted in the work. In your portfolio of eight to 12 pieces, place a couple that you judge best at the beginning and at the end. Newham also suggests being consistent in the look of your materials, such as your business card and CV. The materials you have developed to sell yourself should provide a good demonstration of what you are capable of doing, so take care in developing your personal logo and visual “look.”
  
  

What To Do

• Even if you have already submitted a resume, Digital Dreamer suggests bringing two copies to the interview, one for the interviewer “just in case” and one for yourself to refer to if necessary. They also suggest bringing two portfolios, one that you can leave behind and one that you take with you. Interviewees frequently leave a CD for the potential employer to keep and use a high-quality print portfolio to talk from during the interview.
  
  Present yourself professionally. Even in a relaxed art environment, it’s a good idea to look put together rather than to appear overly disheveled. Take notes during the interview so you’ll have information you can refer to later, and after the interview send a brief note of thanks reiterating your interest in the company and position.