Are You Prepared for Your Career in the Web Industry?

I’m getting older. I’m calling all the new grads “kids”, making me an old guy on the block.

Its necessary this post is, Yoda. In the last year, I hired a handful of interns and some were good while most had their heads in the clouds; its not hard to see which ones lasted.

If you’re a new graduate of any New Media, Graphic Design or Development program, I encourage you to read this post. As an employer, this is what I’m looking for; basic stuff that lets me know you’re going to be a great addition to the team.

Skillset vs. Mindset

Employers want to know you are not only capable of completing your work, But, we’re looking for people who are self-motivated, aren’t waiting for me to tell someone what they need to do; if they see something that needs to be done, just do it or depending on the company’s processes, make a case for your recommendation. A person with new ideas always stands out among the crowd.

Skills

  • Web Designer? Know: contemporary design, understand the difference between B2C visitors and B2B visitors. Eye movements, page layouts, know your tools.
  • Web Developer? Know: HTML, HTML5, XHTML, JavaScript, PHP, JQuery, etc, Opensource vs. Paid
  • Do you know SEO? Google Adwords? Social Media Marketing?

Self Promotion

  • Website URL
  • What else are you working on? Don’t just wait for someone to give you an opportunity, make some websites for free or go after an internship.
  • What is your competition doing, what makes you different and are you actually making a legitimate attempt to continuously improve?

Resumes & Cover Letters

  • Personalize each cover letter.
  • Highlight your skills.
  • Highlight your accomplishments.
  • Put the month & year you started and the month & year you ended.
  • Don’t just use bullet points. Explain your accomplishments ie. I increased traffic 200% in my first year and make sure you have the proof to back it up.
  • Are you on Linkedin?
  • Do you have a portfolio link?
  • If you are referencing a website that you worked on, reference the URL.

The “Fit” Interview

I haven’t won everyone over. Each person is different and each company has a unique culture that’s developed over time. A great employee is not just one who has the ideal skill set and mindset, but it’s also about your attitude, how you deal with things and how you cope with things. It’s common practice today. Someone in the industry can tell if you’ve got the skills to get the job done. But, will you be able to work well with the team? Its a little more casual, but don’t think its not full of questions too. Just remember, interviews are not just about a company interviewing you, you’re interviewing them. Do you fit the company? Does the company fit you? Be prepared to ask your own questions.

Interview Questions

  • “Tell me about yourself”. Sometimes, people just don’t know and I’ll know because they start drifting off about another topic. When I ask this question, I want to know if you’re comfortable in your own skin and if you know what you want in your life. Tell me you grew up in the Marlborough and tell me you want to be a professional web designer and be proud of it.
  • “Tell me about a challenge you had in the last year at work. Then tell me how you handled it and explain the outcome.”
  • There’s many resources available online for you today. About.com has almost everything. Don’t assume people won’t ask you all of them, because I’ve been asked all of them… and it was longest interview EVER.
  • Companies have corporate values. Know your personal values. You will get asked this question.
  • Companies have mission statements. Know your goals in life. You will get asked this question.
  • Ask questions.

Things to Expect

  • Submit portfolio.
  • Skill test.

Tips

  • Be honest, don’t make stuff up, be yourself.
  • Be lucky enough to find a mentor or a friend that you can geek out about this stuff with and not have the fear that you’re competing against this person. A mentor can be older than you, younger than you, but just someone you can feed off from and you guys can mutually benefit from it. Nothing is free.
  • Read blogs about your industry and subscribe to them; this is a common question today, “what blogs do you subscribe to”. Stay up to date with your designs and development skills. Do you need to learn about a new program or language, go learn it.
  • Take notes. When you’re job hunting, take notes of what things people are looking for, analyze what’s common and what are pluses.
  • Focus. The more you specialize, the easier it will be to set yourself apart from your competition.
  • Don’t be shy to share new ideas. The worst they can say is “no”. If it works, you’ll be considered a genius!

Conclusion

If you want to be successful in this competitive industry, try harder. Be prepared. Now, listen to Gary Vaynerchuck’s NY Web 2.0 Conference Speech.

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