Would you wear blue jeans and a tank top to a job interview at an ad agency or with a potential freelance client? Dressing up for the interview doesn't stop with just your clothes.
Your portfolio makes as big of an impression on a potential employer as you do. While your work can speak volumes for you, you can also make yourself stand out among others with just a few simple changes.
Research the Client or Agency
If you're interviewing for an advertising agency position, research it before your first meeting. What kind of clients do they handle? What types of materials do they mainly create? The answers to these questions can be found in the current Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies.
When you know what type of work they handle, you can be better prepared to showcase your experience in those areas. This is an area where you can also make your portfolio and experience take center stage.
Study the Want Ad
If you found the opportunity in an online ad or through the newspaper, study the ad. Make a list of the types of materials they've said they're looking for someone to create.
Many times, you'll see that they're looking for a copywriter who can write print ads, for example. This is where you really shine when you adapt your portfolio pages in the next step.
Adapt Your Pages
After you've researched the agency and/or studied the want ad, adapt your portfolio to what the clients or agencies have said they want in an employee or freelancer. For example, let's say the classified ad says the agency is looking for a copywriter with extensive experience in print ad work.
That's easy. Change your portfolio to highlight your print ad work.
You can still include your work in other areas but make sure you include more print ads than you normally would for a general copywriting position. By putting the spotlight on what they've specifically said they're looking for, you're not only showing your strength in writing print work, you're making your portfolio leave a valuable impression on the agency long after your interview is over.
Use Text Ads
For copywriters, don't be afraid to use text in your portfolio. You may be pleased with a copywriting project you've recently completed but it hasn't gone to print yet.
You can use your text on a white piece of paper to show off your copy. You can always dress up those text ads to make them look more visually appealing.
Many times, copywriters think they must have a fancy four-color brochure in their portfolio if they want to put the spotlight on their copy. However, a Creative Director or client is looking at your copy, not the fancy artwork. A lot of copywriters attempt to put together a brochure themselves but you're not a graphic designer and you're just going to detract from your copy this way.
People looking for a copywriter are looking for someone to write their ads, not create them. They don't care if your portfolio is full of visually appealing print ads if the copy's not written well.
Unless you're prepared to print a fancy, glossy four color brochure instead of something off your home printer on paper that you're folding yourself, you can really hurt yourself with an amateur-looking attempt to be a graphic designer.
No matter what your experience level, never think of your portfolio as complete. Not only do you want to update it with the latest projects you're proud you worked on but you also want to go the extra mile to target your client or potential employer's specific needs. This not only makes an impression on the person you're meeting with, it puts the focus on your work and the fact that you write or design the exact types of projects they need created.
Just adapt your pages to a client or employer's specific needs every time. Your portfolio instantly transforms itself into a powerful, job-getting tool.