| "Sell me this Pencil"; personnel and sales | | | | reference the portfolio while he or she |
| managers used to ask applicants this question | | | | answers the interviewer's questions. This |
| during interviews on a regular basis. | | | | can be done during a webcam interview as well |
| Believe it or not, it is a relatively | | | | because the portfolio can be emailed, faxed, |
| effective way of finding out how well an | | | | or snail-mailed to the human resources |
| individual thinks on his / her feet. Can she | | | | director or interviewer prior to t he act ual |
| speak well and make eye contact when she is | | | | or electronic meeting. |
| surprised? Can he smile and behave | | | | |
| professionally when he is at a loss for | | | | It is very important that an applicant's |
| words? Clearly, job applicants will do a | | | | portfolio or visual presentation be |
| better job of "selling that pencil" if they | | | | professional and of the highest quality. The |
| are prepared for the question and have some | | | | design of the portfolio must reflect an |
| knowledge of various types of pencils. | | | | organization and demonstrate the culture of |
| | | | the profession. For example, an applicant |
| The one benefit of this interview strategy | | | | hoping to fill a graphics position must |
| for the applicant is that the pencil serves | | | | present a graphics-heavy portfolio, etc. |
| as a focal point of discussion; it is a | | | | Further, the applicant should have his or her |
| visual aid that actually allows some | | | | own copy of the portfolio to reference during |
| description to be "acted upon" by moving the | | | | the interview. |
| pencil. It is a real example with which the | | | | |
| candidate can dazzle the interviewer. | | | | The use of the document or portfolio allows |
| | | | both the interviewer and the interviewee to |
| The point is that preparation and real | | | | maintain a solid focus on the skills |
| examples of an applicant's skills serve to | | | | necessary to successfully perform the job. |
| illustrate the qualifications and fit of that | | | | Small talk is still essential to 'break the |
| applicant. Human resource managers and | | | | ice,' but the majority of interview time will |
| personnel directors should expect applicants | | | | be spent in specialized discussion related |
| to come in prepared with information abut the | | | | specifically to effectively filling the |
| company, its mission statement, and the | | | | available position. The candidate will |
| available position. Candidates should | | | | demonstrate preparation for the interview and |
| prepare a "portfolio" or project review / | | | | qualifications for the job. Applicants will |
| summary in order to present a real example of | | | | utilize the 'pencil" to sell the 'pencil" |
| proficiencies, skills, technical and computer | | | | and, thus, themselves. |
| knowledge. The potential employee can | | | | |