At Kutztown, I fell in love with being independent, an unexpected result of college life. At least for me it was. I was determined that I was a new MAN and with that I should be independent. My last semester was spent finishing up my credit requirements but also aggressively looking for my first “real job”. A job in my chosen career, as a commercial artist.
I was able to prepare a portfolio and my first resume and felt I was on my way. I thought I was prepared for was my first interview. It was for a graphic design position at a local manufacturing company. I met with an older gentleman and we reviewed my portfolio and the responsibilities of the job. I felt good. I felt confident. We spoke for about an hour and then he said he would like me to meet with another gentleman for the second part of the interview. Went though similar discussions for another hour. I remember thinking that I had no idea that interviews went on for this long. After that hour the first gentleman join us for an additional question and answer. I started to become a little anxious. When the second hour passed. I thought everything was going well until they asked me a question that I was totally unprepared for. “What are your salary requirements”?
The only jobs I had had, before this, were at a grocery store from age 16 to the end of college and at the University Library during the school year. Both were minimum wage jobs. I remember trying to come up with an appropriate answer. I Had NO IDEA. The only answer I could think of was. “I guess whatever you think is fair”
It’s laughable now, but at the time, I was ready to chew my arm off to get out of this interview, which was now approaching 3 hours. We went back and forth. They would say, “Well you must have a number in mind” and honestly, I truly, DID NOT. I don’t remember how the interview ended, but I do remember feeling a sense of relief that it was finally over.
I went directly to my professor/mentor. I told her what happened and how long I was there. She was so supportive and she really did want me to succeed. She smiled, and said “You always need that number.” She went though the interview step-by-step gave me advice of how, I should have responded, and prepared me so I would repeat my misstep. She pointed out that the reason I was there for 3 hours was that they were interested in me. And, if I had a reasonable number during that interview, I probably would have been offered the position.
I’m actually glad that I didn’t get that job. I learn some valuable lessons that day and realized that learning from a failure turns that failure into something very positive. My next interview was a lot shorter but I was a better prepared for the unexpected.
Interviewing for a job is a dance. The interviewer the prospect are trying to get to know each other. Trying to gain the knowledge if you are a good fit for them. and if they are a good fit for you. Trust needs to be gained by both parties during that interview dance. I find interviewing to be an exciting challenge. By the end of the interview my hope is that they feel I would be a great asset to their organization, a great dance partner, if you will!
I can remember two other companies that I interviewed with; each had different curve balls during the interview. I was able to get a job offer several weeks before graduation. What a feeling to graduate knowing you have a job.
Out of college I worked in the following fields at some great companies. I would also freelance and volunteer as you will see later.
- Reeser & Sperling Advertising – 1989 – 1990
- Graphic Designer – focused on new business opportinities
- Freelance Graphic Designer – 1990 – 1992
- Daily freelance designer for Meridian Bank
- Meridian Bank – Freelance 1990 – 1992 – Full time 1992 – 1996
- Graphic Designer in the Corporate Communications Department
- CME Information Services – 1996 – 1997
- Direct marketing of continuing education for doctors
- PHH Mortgage / Cendant Mortgage – 1997 – 2001
- Graphic Designer of explosively growing mortgage company
- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. – 2001 – 2019
- Designer/Art Director for this global drug containment provider
- Freelance Graphic Designer – 2019
In later posts, I promise to go into detail about each job opportunity and what I learned for each experience.
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