REFLECT
The task of researching different interview situations and preparing / taking part in a mock interview seemed to be a simple task. However, in contrast, deemed to be a task of which led me down a series of challenging paths.
My research allowed me to summarise the different types of interview situations and the different etiquettes involved when taking part in these different situations. This gave me an insight to the different preparational needs I would need to cover before continuing for my mock interview.
Although I have taken part in many interviews before, no matter how much preparation oneself includes, it is a categorical fact that oneself will indeed encounter a challenge or challenges during an interview.
In my opinion, my ideas, on paper appeared to be ‘fool proof’ I entered the room with my laptop in hand and pieces of messy, un-organised paper containing bullet points and que sentences. I proceeded and introduced myself formally.
The question was raised weather I would need a computer to present my portfolio, I answered “yes” I loaded the URL to my online portfolio https://tenerifejordan.wixsite.com/submersive. Once the page had loaded it dawned on me, I had forgotten my password. Since designing my online portfolio on my mac, I have always logged in using the same device and password recognition system. Luckily, I keep a note of the different passwords I use within a separate document. However, if I had not remembered to do this or didn’t have my laptop, I would have found myself in a very unprofessional situation, possibly jeopardising the interview due to lack of preparation and insight.
In the time created sourcing my password for my digital portfolio, the interviewers scanned through the physical portfolio of which I had already handed in at the beginning of my interview. After logging in to my online portfolio I continued presenting my portfolio making use of the notes I had created.
When moving between the pages on my digital portfolio It was easy to become distracted from my script I had produced, meaning when I went back to it I had lost my position and struggled to continue the presentation of my portfolio.
The pause created a snowball effect, leading me to lose my words and essentially have a ‘brain freeze’ resulting in me losing my flow in the interview, of which I found it very had to recover from and continue.
The interview concluded with a few short questions and answers, at this point the interview board asked me to take a seat, I felt much more relaxed and continued the interview at pace and with confidence.
I now understand one has to maintain a balanced level of professionalism and formal/ non-formal etiquette when being interviewed, one’s true personality lies within oneself and is best conveyed when a person is most relaxed. However, professionalism has to shine when presenting oneself or presenting a presentation, this reinforces the fact that one is prepared for important events and will maintain this attitude; hopefully after being accepted for the position.
J Johnson creative 