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The Job Interview Questions Everyone Knows About
At the heart any job interview is a vetting process that relies heavily on a candidate’s response to questions. Interviews can be challenging if you don’t know what sorts of questions will be asked.

But virtually everyone is familiar with the “standard issue” questions:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• What are your plans for the next five years?
• What can you bring to this company if you are hired?

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While these questions have worked in the past to screen individuals for job positions, the mere fact that they are so well recognized by the general public has taken much of the edge and usefulness away from them.

This doesn’t mean that you won’t be asked these questions during a job interview, but you should also be prepared for questions that are “outside the box.”

Questions That Make You Think
Firms are using an alternative interview method based upon behavioral responses from potential hires.

Questions that are behaviorally based try to determine how well a job candidate may fit into the company based upon the person’s performance on previous jobs.

Behavioral interview questions can reveal how a job candidate reacts under pressure, how well the individual works with others, and how creative the person is in problem solving.

Some of the behavioral questions you may encounter during a job interview are:

• What did you do about coworkers that were uncooperative and difficult to work with?
• When you didn’t agree with your supervisor or manager about something job related, what did you do?
• When you were criticized about your performance on a project you were working on, what did you do?
• Tell me three things you would change about your last job and why?
• Give me an example of how you motivated other coworkers to do better in their work.
• Tell me about a time when you were able to use your creativity and problem solving skills to complete a difficult project or request.
• Tell me what you did when your design for a project wasn’t working out as planned.

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Make Sure You Can Remember
Behavioral interview questions dig deep into your past, so make sure you are prepared to answer questions of this sort. If you just graduated from a graphic design school, the questions you are asked will be in relation to your school experience.

Next Time
We’ll wrap up this series with the topic, “Things Job Interviewers Won’t Tell You.”

In this upcoming article we’ll explore what the interviewer is looking for in a job candidate, what things that can fail you during the interview, and whether you should accept the job offer.

Job Interviews
If you are a student in graphic design, graphic arts or illustration, you’ve probably wondered about the interview process in applying for a job.

While job interviews can take on a variety of scenarios, you can still be prepared.

The tips presented in this series do not guarantee you a graphics job, but they can help you to organize, plan and possibly increase your chances for a successful job interview.
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How to Prepare Before the Interview
Preparation can play a significant role in the outcome of job interviews.

By doing your research and being aware of what is expected for the job position, you can enhance your credibility and professionalism in the eyes of the interviewer.

Prior to showing up for the job interview you can prepare yourself by going over the following suggestions and plans of action:
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• Portfolio. Assemble your portfolio in a conscious effort to meet the needs of the company or firm you are applying at.  Keep it concise and to the point. You don’t want to bore the interviewer with examples that don’t represent your best work.
• Background. Your interviewer will probably ask what you know about the company. Present a few detailed facts about the firm. This shows that you are interested in the company and have done your part to be informed.
• Dress the Part. Try to find out what sort of dress code the office has for its workers. You want to dress appropriately in order to fit in. Being neat and casual sometimes works better than wearing a suit. Check or ask before your interview appointment.
• Materials: In addition to your portfolio, bring along copies of your resume, a disc of your work examples, and a cover letter just in case the items were lost in processing. Also bring your driver’s license, social security card, and three references.

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• Groom. Personal hygiene should not be forgotten. Do all you can to appear fresh and clean.
• Be Punctual. Plan to arrive early–at least 20 minutes or sooner. This will take into account any time that you may loose by getting lost or other tie-ups. Arriving early also gives you a chance to catch your breath, scope out the area, and relax.

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The Primary Interview Formats
There are usually two types of job interview formats that employers choose to use:

* Traditional - In this method, the interviewer asks candidates about their strengths and weaknesses, why they want to work for the company, what their goals are for the next 3 to 5 years, and other standard questions that are quite common to this style of interview.
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Employers use this method to determine the applicant’s communication skills, experience, and suitability as a team player.

* Behavioral - More companies are adopting this interview approach because it probes the potential employee’s past performance as an indication of how well the candidate may perform in the work firm’s work environment.

Questions are asked about how the individual handled coworker conflicts, project challenges, ingenuity in problem solving and other questions related to on-the-job performance and actions.

Next Time…
In the following parts of this series, we’ll delve into the aspects of what to do during the interview process, how to avoid pitfalls during the interview and more so stayed tuned.

Are We Having Fun Yet?
This phrase was used a lot in the 80s as a quip to another person who was usually in dire straights or in an obvious position of distress.

The one-liner would usually get a laugh, a smile, or a chuckle from the victim experiencing trouble. The line of “are we having fun yet?” was a mini-commentary on life, whether intentional or not.

Are We Having Fun Yet In School?
Making the choice to be an artist, designer, or someone who is involved with media or the arts can be an exhilarating experience; it means you have found your calling in what you want to do for a career.

While attending graphic design college, there are labs to attend, assignments to turn in, and deadlines to meet. It can be an exciting time of learning and discovering new skills and techniques.

If your passion is to become an accomplished graphic artist, the work you put in leads to more career training and skills that can prepare you for a profession in design.

The process may sometimes seem daunting, but anything that is worth achieving takes work.

In some cases, students find out that the courses they are taking seem flat or uninteresting. Sometimes, a mid-course correction in the direction you are going is all that is needed to set things right.

If you sense that you are “not having fun yet,” the reason may be due to you being mismatched in your field of study. If so, talk to your teacher or counselor to discuss what courses of action you can take.

Yes, We’re Having Fun
A student was once overheard saying, “Yeah, it’s really tough work doing all the labs and assignments, but it’s a lot of fun too. I’m really learning a lot.”

He got a job in graphic arts upon graduation. His spirit and good attitude sustained him through school.

He found out a simple secret to help him through the rigors of college; he was having fun learning.

What is an Associate’s Degree?
This degree is given by community colleges, junior colleges, and online graphic design schools. Some universities offer an associate’s after completing the first two years of study towards a bachelor’s degree.

An associate’s degree is equal to the first two-years of a four-year college or university bachelor’s degree.

What Types of Associates Degrees Are There?
What most people are familiar with is the A.A. degree or Associates of Arts.
But there are other associates degrees such as:

* AA (Associate of Arts)
* AE (Associate of Engineering)
* AN (Associate of Nursing)
* AS (Associate of Science)
* AT (Associate of Technology)
* AAA (Associate of Applied Arts)
* AAB (Associate of Applied Business)
* AAS (Associate of Applied Science)
* AAT (Associate of Arts in Teaching)
* ABA (Associate of Business Administration)
* ABS (Associate of Baccalaureate Studies)
* ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)
* AES (Associate of Engineering Science)
* AET (Associate in Engineering Technology)
* AFA (Associate of Fine Arts)
* AOS (Associate of Occupational Studies)
* ASPT-APT (Associate in Physical Therapy)
* ASD (Associate of Software Development)

What Can an Associate’s Degree Be Used For?
Some associate’s degrees such as A.A and A.S are seen as transfer degrees. Course study credits can be transferred to four-year colleges.

Associate career degrees prepare individuals for certain entry level jobs such as the Associate in Physical Therapy, or the Associate’s Degree in Nursing.

An associate’s degree can be used as a stepping stone to continued education when the time is more convenient; some students cannot transfer immediately to a four-year college to finish their bachelor’s.

The Benefits of an Associate’s Degree
Since earning an associate’s degree is the equivalent of the first two-years of general study at a four-year college or university, junior college courses are a substantial savings when compared to the same ones at a university.

Class sizes are generally smaller at community colleges and junior colleges so there is a better teacher-to-student ration.

Graphic Design Schools
A number of graphic design colleges offer associate’s degrees in a variety of subjects and majors. Your schedule may not allow you to go to school full-time, but there are online education courses available to individuals who need more flexibility in scheduling their classes.

In today’s job market, it is becoming increasingly more apparent that a solid education is necessary to qualify for higher paying jobs or careers that have added responsibility and growth potential.

Besides choosing the right college, university, or online graphic design college that is relevant to your specific major, selecting a college that is accredited should be at the top of your list.

What Is an Accredited College?
In the United States, accreditation is the process of reviewing various higher education institutions and programs in order to certify that a school is providing quality education.
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Colleges, universities, or programs that are accredited means:

• Federal grants and loans are available for colleges that are accredited
• You can verify to your employers that the university degree or programs you attended were accredited
• You are receiving education that has been passed through stringent guidelines and standards
• Credits earned at accredited institutions are usually transferable to other accredited centers of learning
• An earned degree at a accredited college means your degree is usable and recognized as a qualified reference of your expertise in your field of study

Who Does the Accrediting?
Any college or university can claim that it is accredited, but how can you tell if they are or not?

Accreditation of colleges is done by private, nongovernmental organizations and agencies that are created for the specific task of reviewing higher education institutions and programs for quality.

These reviews are based upon high standards and guidelines as set forth by the accreditation body. Accredited colleges can show proof of their status.

There are only certain organizations that can accredit higher learning institutions. Those that are recognized have been passed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education, or by both institutions. A list of recognized accreditation organizations can be found by clicking here.

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Why Accrediting Is Important
Some schools have good education programs but because they are not accredited, the degrees they offer are not recognized by employers or other accredited institutions of higher learning.

Accreditation offers a reference point for potential students to judge colleges by. Higher education institutions of learning must qualify and meet strict guidelines in order to receive this status.
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Things to Ask When You Apply
There are 12 questions that should be considered when applying for the college or graphic design school of your choice concerning its accreditation. According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation:

1. Is the course, program or institution accredited?
2. What are the standards of quality? Is there an available summary of the last review?
3. If the course, program, or institution is not accredited, is it certified for quality by another organization?
4. What external quality review is performed by this other organization and what are the standards? Is there a summary of the last review?
5. How can the organization that accredits or provides other types of external quality reviews be contacted?
6. Will other institutions accept the credits and courses earned?
7. Will other institutions count the credits and courses toward a degree?
8. Will graduate schools accept the credits and courses for admission?
9. Who decides toward what the credits or courses count? How can they be contacted?
10. Will employers accept the credits and courses earned?
11. Will employers acknowledge the credits and courses for upgrading, retraining and additional compensation?
12. Who should be contacted to learn what courses and credits an employer may accept?

Look Before You Leap
Your college years can be some of the best years of your life. You’ll be able to receive the career training and degree you need to be competitive in qualifying for jobs upon graduation.

Make sure that the college, university, graphic design college or the programs are accredited.

All of us are familiar with the traditional setting of a classroom with students, and teachers. But just what is an online college like? How do you take classes, submit homework, receive your assignments, and take your tests? How are lectures, if any, given?

These questions usually come up about online learning. Most of us understand that it involves an Internet connection and a computer, but what else is there?

First Things First: The Counselor
After you select the online college you would like to attend. The next step is to speak to an online college representative or counselor. This individual will explain what is involved in signing up for classes, what it costs to complete a degree, what programs are available, and other key issues about online college.

How to Get Around the Virtual “Campus”
Before your virtual classes start, you will go through orientation at your online college. A student ID and password will be assigned to you. This will allow you to log in to the college servers, database, and course software where you will receive and turn in your assignments.

Virtual College Life
Lectures are performed online via video, text on the website, or audio recordings. In some cases, multimedia is sent to students in the form of DVDs or CDs. Each online college varies in how this is accomplished.

Contacting your teacher is done through emails. Some online colleges utilize online messaging software, or VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) to speak with students directly. Reading materials may be supplied through books, ebooks, online texts, or DVDs.

The Virtual Student Body
Although you will be working from your computer, you will still be able to interact with fellow students through chat rooms, emails, voice or webcams.

Some projects or assignments require group interaction, so communication with other students is essential for completing these tasks.

Real Homework and Tests
Each class you take will have homework that is due at a certain time. Online education allows flexibility in scheduling, but deadlines are still required. Tests are taken online. Some online colleges make arrangements with local colleges to have proctored finals; you go to a supervised classroom to take your tests.

Is It Right for You?
The decision to go to an online college is a personal decision based upon your time requirements, needs, and commitment.

Online college offers a great deal of flexibility, but also requires a good deal of discipline.

If you are thinking about attending an online graphic design college or graphic design school, take into consideration all of these factors and ask, “Is online college right for me?”