22 Principles of Floral Design
You can fi nd many other examples of interview questions on the Internet. fi
Practice answering these questions so that you can answer them smoothly
and efficiently during the interview. Always tell the truth. Being untruthful or fi
exaggerating your skills can get you in trouble later.
Be aware, however, that there are some questions interviewers are not allowed
to ask. These include questions about your age, race, gender, marital status, or
country of origin, unless this information is relevant for the position. If you are
asked this type of question, you can politely ask how the question relates to the job,
or even refuse to answer the question. If you refuse, be sure to do so courteously.
Be sure to dress appropriately and conservatively for the
interview. Arrive on time, and do not forget to bring your résumé
and portfolio, Figure 1-21. Be self-confi and courteous to fident
the interviewer and to any other employees to whom you are
introduced. After the interview, thank the interviewer. You may
also want to send a thank-you letter. After a week or two, if you
have not heard from the company, you may want to follow up
with a phone call to be sure the company knows you are interested.
Do not make a pest of yourself, however; some companies,
especially larger ones, may take a while to make a decision.
Demonstrating Job Skills
Your employability is the sum of your “people skills” and
personal characteristics that make you a valuable employee.
Employers look for these characteristics when you apply for
a job, and if they hire you, they expect you to behave in a
manner that benefi their business. In addition to developing fits
these skills, employers expect you to reach a certain level
of competency in your understanding and application of
the systems of operations used in their business and in the
fl oriculture industry. For example, in a small floral fl design shop fl
you may be expected to competently process shipments of plant
materials to ensure their storage longevity and their longevity
after they are placed in arrangements. You may also be expected
to record deliveries and payments for the shipments in the
business’ record keeping program.
Work Habits
Work habits include showing up for work whenever you are scheduled,
arriving on time every day, and maintaining a positive attitude. Employers
depend on their employees to be present and to work effi during their ficiently
shifts. Employees who frequently call in sick are not considered reliable.
Some companies may even consider frequent absences from work a cause for
terminating your employment.
Being willing to pitch in and help when deadlines are tight is another excellent
work habit. During slow times, try to nd something productive to do. Ask your
supervisor for additional tasks if you run out of work. Do not use the computer
or Internet for personal reasons, and turn your phone off during working hours,
unless it is necessary for your job. Do not make or accept personal phone calls.
Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock.com
Figure 1-21. To make a good impression at
your interview, dress conservatively, be polite,
and be prepared to show examples of your work.
Previous Page Next Page