The Godfather was a wise, wise man.
Recently, I was contacted by a senior design student looking to start a career. Classes were ending and it was time to buckle down and get serious. We set up a meeting to discuss local exhibit design options. As we chatted (for three hours) I began to divine that this student had thought extensively about why he had made the choice to become a designer which was helpful. It’s rough, as an employer, to look at a potential hire and realize that they’re searching for direction much more than searching to make your company shine. However, once we past the “theory” of design employment, we moved onto the “experience” section of our discussion. That’s when things fell horribly flat.
I found that this student had decided to pursue exhibit design in the last two months of his 4 year education. I asked if he had portfolio pieces. He said no. I asked if he had any professional experience in exhibit design. He said no. I asked if he had taken an Exhibit Design course and he said he had dropped it in favor of another class. Now, not to sound harsh, but I suddenly started to ask myself, “why am I even here, this is wasted time” Yet, because of his enthusiasm, we continued talking. So then, a bit dumfounded, I asked the million dollar question, “What are you looking for?” and he responded by saying, “A paid internship.”
I don’t think this student realized what was happening. He didn’t realize that he was selling something and I was buying it. The job interview process is really just that simple. He was making a losing pitch and I was thinking of a wrap up. Yet, I asked one further question, “being that you have no experience, or a practical skill set in the industry, or knowledge of that industry, have you considered volunteering at an institution?” I’ll bet you can divine his answer, “I feel that it’s only fair to get paid for the work you do and I won’t sacrifice that.”
This student had, what I’ve taken to call, “student ego”. I’ve run across it more often than not where a student is fresh out of school and thinking the working world is just like the scholastic world. Nothing could be farther from the truth and as a professional, when I even hear the hint of “student ego” I start looking to another candidate. I have many friends in the design world, and we’ve all remarked about similar interviews and attitudes. I politely mentioned that he should think very hard about how important money is for him and if he truly wants to break into this field (exhibit design), in this area, to think STRONGLY about offering his services for free while maintaining a job to pay the bills. I suggested that he contact a few firms and offer to do anything so as to learn their approach to design. I suggested that he wait tables as a server at night to offset his rent. We ended the conversation with him offering to “think about it”.
So where does The Godfather come in? When trying to get something we want, in the case above –a job- we need to pitch “an offer they can’t refuse”. A case in point: I had another intern a while back. At the time I was working in a small museum and as with most small non profits, was up to my ears in responsibilities. I could have sincerely used some help. She contacted me and said that she was interested in learning what it was like to do museum exhibit design. We chatted, got along well, and I mentioned that I ‘d be happy to have her come on board, but I couldn’t pay her. She didn’t blink, and agreed. It was a wonderful thing! I was getting the help I needed and she valuable experience. Also, because she was willing to offer her services freely, I “went to bat” with the executive director to get her a living stipend. In the end, she solved problems for me, rather than creating more and I tried very hard to make it a great experience.
Make people an offer the can’t refuse. Do some research on who you’re meeting with before you meet them and try to understand their troubles. Then, when the opportunity is right, bring them solutions instead of problems. Let go of your ego and look objectively at the goal you’re trying to reach. If you’re getting great experience and access to connections, isn’t that furthering your career more than a paycheck? If you show commitment to a client or employer and offer a good service, they are likely to show commitment to you.
Below are two links: the first is a good example of how to sell and the second is a link to volunteer opportunities.
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/createoffer.htm
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Pete St. John
President
216 S. Main St.
Groton, NY
13073
P/F 607 898 3399
C 585 615 1698
www.petestjohndesign.com
Please note that the drawings, ideas, concepts and interactives contained herein are deemed proprietary. Any use of these concepts, ideas, interactives, etc, without written notification and permission is neither granted nor implied.
