Questions to Ask

How is the training program structured? Time/formatI read company is planning expansion into Mexico …could you tell me about plans and opportunities for international placement?

Questions to Ask

Average time it takes to reach _________ position?Could you describe the employee evaluation system? How often will I receive a formal evaluation?

Questions to Ask

What opportunities are there to move from one functional area to another if I see an opportunity in which I am interested?

Career Fair Tips

Introduce clearly, smile, handshake, eye contactBe confident!! Be positiveAsk questions Dress professionallyPick up brochures Ask to set up interviewHandshake, thank you, business card

On-Site Interview

Separate interviewsGroup interviewsTestingSocial skillsAssessment center activities

On-Site Interview

BIG MISTAKELack of extensive company/ industry research

Research people, tooContact individuals

More situational interviewing

On-Site Interview

Focus on team skillsCourtesy to allMost desired job, tell themDemonstrate how committed you would be (one/two minute commercial)

Thank You Letter

Refer to interview date/place and say thank youExpress desire to work for companyReiterate qualificationsClose with phone # and action

Job Offers

Get offer in writingSet decision dateQuestions

Frequency of salary and performance review

Promotional opportunities Professional development

Job Offers

Total compensation Base salary Benefits

% of base salaryCompare benefits across companies – start dates

www.datamasters.com/

Job Offers

Negotiating salary Leaverage other offers Moving expenses Signing bonuses

Acceptance letterDecline letters

The Merchandising Portfolio

From Oklahoma State UniversityPortfolio Examples Courtesy of MSU

and OSU InternsShiretta Ownbey, Associate Professor

Why Use a Portfolio?

Differentiates you from other job candidates

Highlights your skills, abilities, and experiences

Why Use a Portfolio?

Makes your interview interesting

Allows you to direct some of the interview conversation

Demonstrates you are a professional

Case Recommendations

Buy nice quality portfolio or presentation case Black or brown cases are preferred

Use acetate sheets to protect contents

Smaller size cases are best for merchandising portfolios

Think About This!

Professional portfolio, not a scrapbook

What does employer need or want to know about applicant?

Pages should illustrate an ability, skill, or experience desired or needed

TipsUse cover page Introduce a theme

and/or look Include name and

contact infoState degree, major,

and minor Include college or

university name

Portfolio Example

Portfolio Example

TipsInsert resume

after cover pageUse resume

paper that coordinates with portfolio look

Proofread resume carefully

Portfolio Example

TipsHighlight industry

field trips/toursBrief, concise

caption and title2 photo edges are

shaped (left)Background mats

add color1 photo is cut within

image (right)

Portfolio Example

TipsHighlight

internshipCaption focuses

on: Project goals Project

activities Project

outcomes

Portfolio Example

TipsHighlight education

through a field tripCaption focuses on:

global industry industry

networkingNote photo cutsMay cut shapes

from art paper for visual interest

Portfolio Example

TipsEvidence of

experience related to technology is valuable

Cut photos in various shapes

Portfolio Example

TipsLeadership in the

community demonstrates initiative, character, and work ethic

Communicate important aspects of experience in caption

Portfolio Example

Example Categories to Highlight in Portfolio

Communication skills

Training othersTechnologyVisual

merchandisingManagement

skillsLeadershipTours and trips

Internship experiences

NetworkingCreative skillsCustomer serviceMarket

experiencePromotional

experienceSpecial event

coordination

General Recommendations

Start collecting materials and ideasSearch for, retrieve, and store ideasUse good craftsmanship

Center items correctly Measure Cut straight Proofread resume, titles, and captions Attach materials cleanly

General Recommendations

Buy good resume-quality paperChoose professional looking

paper designsUse colored art paper for

accents and photo matsUse professional letteringChoose appropriate adhesives

for different materials

General RecommendationsPlan page layout before laser printing or attaching materials to expensive paper

Test it first on regular paper!Get feedback from other people first!

Ask an expert to read captions first!

How to Get Inspiration

Take a field trip to an art store and notice supplies Colored pens, X-acto knives, rulers,

reprographic film, transfer lettering, decorative tapes, etc.

Visit a craft store, notice supplies Scissors for unique edges, stickers

that look professional, etc.

How to Get InspirationVisit a stationery store

Consider letter-writing paper as accent paper behind visuals

Consider using an envelope on a page with a visual “rising” from it

Consider textured papers for surface interest

Consider laser-printable border papers

How to Get Inspiration

Review page layouts in magazines /adapt good ones

Find interesting quotes to illustrate your philosophy and use them as “pull quotes”

Search the Internet, looking for great ideas

Content Recommendations

Develop a look or themeUse the look or theme throughout

Include variety of visualsVary page layouts for interest

Content RecommendationsTake many photos to ensure

having a few good ones10-15 pieces is average

number 20 pieces is good maximum

Focus on your skills, abilities, and experiences

Develop brief, concise captions Think “impact statements”

Let’s Examine Some Portfolio Examples

Portfolios of:

Angela Schroeder, Apparel merchandising senior Internship - Polo-Ralph Lauren Shop, Tulsa

Keri Cain, Apparel merchandising senior Internship - Target, Tulsa

Nicole Shores, Apparel design/production senior Internship - Vanity Fair Intimates, Atlanta

Kelly Norvell, Apparel design/production senior Internship - Anna Sui, New York

Tips May include Table

of Contents (optional)

No page numbers needed

Notice use of hand sketches, “star” stickers, and gold tape for framing

Kelly Norvell

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight activities you

coordinated Take action photos Student should appear

in some photos Note background mats Use color scheme

throughout portfolio Note edge on mats May overlap photos

Angela Schroeder

Portfolio Example

Tips Extensive travel can

show experience, knowledge of other cultures, and additional education

Focus on professional aspects of such travel

Notice “Harrods” store was cut around image

Angela Schroeder

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight trips to

market or other examples of real experience in business or industry

Angela Schroeder

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight leadership

in student or community organizations

The caption mentions: Officer leadership Oral presentation

on internship Doing on-campus

display for her club

Angela Schroeder

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight internship

experience Photos show

displays student designed

Notice unique framing of photos

Angela Schroeder

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlighting front

window displays completed during internship

Note overlap of photos

Note use of art paper in background

Note vertical caption

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips “Watermarks” can be

laser printed as background

This portfolio has a “Leadership” theme

Pull quote is used on side of page

Captions were laser printed

Great action shots

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips Leadership in

promotion of fashion

Notice “framing” of photo with solid strips cut from art paper

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight campus

leadership outside your department

Cite an actual activity or event you helped coordinate

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight campus

leadership outside your department

Use your caption to indicate the skills you developed

Note the pull quote Note frame on

photo

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlight internship

experiences Focus on

merchandising or retail functions that are important to employers

Communicate important aspects of experience in caption

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlighting retail

experience from internship

Use a variety of visuals such as floor layouts, as appropriate

Keri Cain

Portfolio Example

Tips Highlighting

creativity session led by intern

Caption focuses on creative techniques used and presentation board developed

Nicole Shores

Portfolio Example

What Other Categories Can You Suggest for Inclusion in a

Merchandising Portfolio?