“Do what feels right to you, not because others think you should do it but because you know in your gut it is right for you. Even if in the meantime it feels hard and hurts. The good that comes long term will out way it all. So grab hold of your life, your career and make it something that you will never regret. Something you will feel proud of when you look back on life.” - Elizabeth
Overview
In this episode we will look at the transition of starting a new design position:
Discuss how you know it is time to transition
Interview tips
How to approach your new position physically and emotionally
4 Tips to Interview for a Interior Design Position
1. Be a filtered version of yourself but keep it conversational so its not flat and one sided.
2. Translate the parallels. Look for relationships in what they are saying and who you are and paraphrase it back to them.
3. Write down a series of questions to get at the heart of how the firm operates. You want to find out their culture. Before you even go into the interview you should have an idea about their body of work and whether those project types align with you.
a. Things I wished I would have asked in a younger version of myself. What is the firms approach to mentoring? This is an invaluable pivotal part to your career. Find a firm that will see the value and take the time to mentor you: up, down and across mentoring.
4. Outline for them how you see yourself fitting into the firm. What can you offer.
5 tips for How to Approach your New Job Position:
Keep your ears and eyes open – be willing to lean into conversations and learn the dynamics of the firm. Be a sponge, absorb, absorb, absorb!
Be friendly – makes friends with anyone and everyone that you can. Avoid the gab sessions but seriously get to know each individual and understand who they are and how they approach design. As you do this you are learning who you can lean on for help during different aspects of the design process. Who you can go to to charrette with. Who you can ask a technical question. Who you can go to ask advice on the firm culture.
Ask questions – without being annoying see how you can inquire about the intricacies of the firm: How the firm approaches projects. How they interact with clients. How they collaborate among the office. Understand the pace they set for deadlines. How they approach deliverables at the different phases. How they approach proposals, interviews and staffing.
Walk the typerope – curb the “well at my last firm we did it this way” but when invited offer insight, and parallels.
Step up your game and prove your worth. Join committees, dive in to projects even if it means a few extra hours and produce quality thoughtful work.
Till next time keep designing yawl.