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Step Eight: Interviewing

Preparing for the Interview

When someone is interested in your work, set an appointment to show them your portfolio. This could be a formal interview for a job or informal, to ask them if they know where your work might fit, given any positions they know of that are open.

If the appointment is more than a week away call (or email) them the week of the appointment to confirm. If the appointment is within a week, call (or email) them the day before and confirm. Make sure directions and location of the meeting are clear and if they are coming to you, that they have your phone number. Be on time if you are traveling.

Preparation Will Help you Relax

Remember that this interview is not just a review of your work but they are also assessing you as a person to see if you are easy to work with and/or would fit with their team or gallery. Be yourself, but be prepared. Before talking about your work, the interviewer/curator will want to know about yourself. Prepare a short statement noting some background information and highlighting a recent accomplishment. Ask the interviewer/curator a get-to-know-you question or two to see if you have anything in common. Relax, and enjoy this opportunity to get to know someone new. The conversation will turn to your work and your abilities. Know before hand what you want to get across about your abilities and work. When asked a question, you can answer the question and get across what you want at the same time. Politicians do this (And they aren¹t much smarter than you are they?). Do this by making short statements about achievement or abilities that you possess then provide a specific example to illustrate that statement.

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