Chapter 1 Careers in Floriculture 23 Applying for a Job Prepare yourself by creating a résumé that highlights your education and accomplishments, including any certifi cation or accreditation you have achieved. You can fi nd templates for résumés on several websites. Be sure to choose a style that displays your talents and achievements. Also, create a portfolio, or collection of your work, to show to prospective employers. Fill your portfolio with good color photographs of your best work, as well as copies of any letters of recommendation, certifi cates of achievement, or other awards you have earned. Portfolios Exhibitions, competitions, and your class work can help you develop a portfolio. As you develop your skills and create standard and original designs, record pertinent design information to include in your portfolio. Include information such as the type of materials used and the intent and meaning of your design and its infl uences. You should include quality photographs of each piece from multiple angles. Photograph your arrangements in front of a plain background in order to best see all the design lines. Include your awards and certifi cates of achievement. Many designers prepare digital portfolios as well as traditional printed versions of their work. Keeping a constant record of your work as your skills advance will help you to evaluate your abilities and allow you to easily organize your portfolio when applying for job opportunities. Interviewing for a Job Whichever career you choose, you will probably be offered interviews by companies interested in your work. In the interview, the prospective employer will ask questions to help determine whether you are a good fi t for the company. Typical questions include the following: • Why are you interested in working for this company? • What do you consider your greatest strength? • What is your greatest weakness? • What motivates you? • Why are you considering a career in fl oral design? • What are your goals for the next fi ve years? • How do you plan to achieve those goals? • Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team? You can fi nd many other examples of interview questions on the Internet. Practice answering these questions so that you can answer them smoothly and effi ciently during the interview. Always tell the truth. Being untruthful or 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. Did You Know? FFA has an Employment Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) to help students prepare for the employment process. Pro Tip To present yourself in the best possible light at an interview, it is helpful to practice ahead of time. Have a friend play the interviewer and ask you questions that you may encounter. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.