posted
There's this job I applied just to see if I could get an interview for, it's pretty out of my current skill range. It's for a Creative Copywriter, it would be awesome to get, but they require a decent amount of work that my resume doesn't reflect me ever doing. I just applied to see what would happen.
Well, they sent me an e-mail asking me for an electronic portfolio about two weeks ago. I don't have anything to put in said electronic portfolio, so I didn't send anything. Today, while I was bussing tables, I got a message from them saying that the selection committee has been looking at my resume, and wants to see an electronic portfolio from me. Nothing in my resume suggests that I have ever produced something that they want to see, professionally or recreationally, but they've taken the time to contact me about it. To me, either they have really unqualified candidates, or they have nobody. Nobody seems unlikely, but I would be another unqualified candidate.
So, should I whip something up and re-teach myself HTML in a few days? Buy a video camera and post a hundred random mini-projects on YouTube? They seem to be interested in me, I just can't really figure out. I would actually love this job if they trained me to do it, but I'm confused at this point.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I say just stay up late and work extremely hard and whip up a few things that are good. You might just get the job if you can show them you can be trained for it. These folks make no sense.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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quote:To me, either they have really unqualified candidates, or they have nobody. Nobody seems unlikely, but I would be another unqualified candidate.
I agree with your assessment: by asking for your portfolio twice over two weeks, they've confirmed that they haven't received a glut of great candidates. If you don't think you can produce decent work in a couple days, though (and you probably can't), don't bother with the portfolio; it's better to be honest and say "I don't have a portfolio, I'm afraid" than to show hastily-done, poor-quality work. They might take a chance on someone who may not be good; they're less likely to take a chance on someone who's demonstrably bad.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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posted
There is an online step-through for creating an electronic portfolio. I have no idea if this is the sort of portfolio you think you may want, but it may be worth taking a look.
I have never used the term "electronic portfolio" before in my life. I found it with a Google search. There look to be many resources online for this topic -- relevant to you or not, I have no idea.
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Edited to add: Given what Tom said, maybe play around with the online resources tonight and tomorrow, then let some people with know-how here vet what you come up with before you send it in?
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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posted
If a portfolio is something that is expected for this type of job interview process then it's not surprising that they requested one from you, at least the first time, whether you indicated that you would have one available or not. The fact that they've asked a second time indicates that they don't have a lot of candidates, if they had a bunch then they would probably assume that you weren't interested when they didn't hear back.
Whether you get an interview or not, it's always a good idea to let a company know if you are no longer interested in the current offering. Six months down the line if they have something come open that you are qualified for and you didn't give them the courtesy of a polite email thanking them for their time, they may or may not remember you. This is especially true of smaller companies.
If you really are interested in the job, then tell them that you don't currently have a portfolio, but follow up by asking if they had any kind of a project that they could give you to be submitted in place of a formal portfolio. If they do give you something, then do a good job on it and above all, make sure you are totally honest about your lack of experience during the interview process. You'll also want to be sure that they are going to be willing to hold your hand for a little while during your learning process. Otherwise you'll be in for a miserable time.
Posts: 1214 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Yeah, they might be willing to humor you and give you a writing test/comp project in place of a "book" that you don't have. Otherwise they wouldn't be banging down your door. You must have some skills that they do want, and are willing to work with you a little. That, or you're dealing with a hiring manager who's never been through the hiring process before. Or an HR department who got the order to follow up on all applicants and is doggedly doing their task.
For the future, if you do want to create a portfolio, I suggest googling copywriters and looking at individual websites. Most freelance copywriters include samples of their work, either published or comp, on their websites. It's one way to get some idea of what might go in an electronic portfolio.
Most agencies or creative departments will take comp work seriously. If you can come up with 3 or 4 good ads for a product you like, even if you have no contract with that company to produce those ads, write them up anyway and show them as comp work. They want to see that you can create a good concept and follow through with it more than they want to see that you've worked with some big name companies. Write an article or two on a subject that interests you--pick a magazine and write to that style. Write a brochure about a product. Put together some solid comp work and you'll at least be able to show that you can write, even if you don't have experience. That does go a long way. You don't have to have it fully designed--just the text will do as long as you can explain clearly how it should look when finished.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
Is this an advertising Job? Where is it? I'll apply... Hehe.
Seriously though, if they want to see a portfolio, you can always write comp work as afr suggests. I got hired at my current agency based on one piece of published work and the rest comp work.
Posts: 382 | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Alright, so here's what I've been doing (sorry about the delay, I've been working/going to the doctor). I've been messing around with Dreamweaver and Photoshop. So far, I've been building a rudimentary site to put my poetry on, and I photoshopped a picture of Godzilla behind me and my girlfriend in front of the space needle. With more time I could probably be fairly proficient at these, but my outlook isn't too good for this job. In my opinion.
Of course, I can still try, because if I don't get this position I'm almost a shoe-in for a grad program in Seattle. In other words, I won't be in California if I don't get the job, so losing a later opportunity doesn't apply. I think I'll try to make something up over the weekend and see what flies.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Aug 2007
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