23 / 07 / 2012

Job Tips - The Do\'s and Dont\'s

Author

Nick Pilling

Category

Blogs

Share

alt

It's that time of year again when students have just graduated from University and are looking for their first break into the design world, I remember 2 years ago when I was in the same boat. It can be a scary thought, being out in the real world, and feeling that sense of pressure at trying to find that job you have been dreaming of for the last 3 or so years. However it isn't an impossible task, trust me.

Some of you might get lucky and get a job off the back of your degree show, or from a placement you did over the summer. However if you didn't, don't worry. That illusive job is out there for you, it might just take a bit longer to get. I actually got my job as a designer at Absolute from doing a summer placement there 2 years prior, and just kept in touch.

 

Use this time to your advantage. Improve your portfolio, look for placements, ask for book reviews (book reviews are brilliant!... I must have done about 10 or so and got in the face of a Creative Director or Senior Creative each time, which gives you that time to shine and impress, more so than a placement, where sometimes you can be just shoved in a corner with a boring brief, or end up only doing the brew run!) Try and do a bit of freelance work, charity work, whatever you can get your hands on. It will all stand you in good stead, and show how productive and self-motivated you are outside of university. When you do get an interview you will have a more diverse body of work, and it shows you aren't a lazy bum that thinks a job will come to them just because they now have a degree.

Here are a few little tips that worked for me and hopefully will work for you on how you can improve your chances of getting a job within the industry.


The Portfolio

After 3 years you should have a pretty well developed portfolio, that you are extremely proud of. Be sure to believe in yourself and your work when going for interviews, but don't mistake this with cockiness and arrogance.

Your portfolio should contain between 8-10 pieces of your best work. Never put in work that you think yourself is rubbish or sub-standard just to fill out your book. Always have your best work at the front of the book, and have your 2nd best piece of work in the back - leave on a bang.

Always carry around sketches, scamps, and scribbles that show your working out. It's quite vital to see how you got to your final result, it helps a Creative Director see just how you work, what your thought process is, and how you tackle such briefs. These are usually more important than the actual artworking.

Make sure your book is clean, simple, and professional. I've seen a number of portfolios that look like they've been dragged through a bush, and have coffee stains all over them. Your portfolio is your baby, so treat it like one. If you're struggling to find a professional looking folder that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, take a look at this one... A3 Portfolio Book it's a little beauty.

It would be handy to put together a PDF no more than 3mb that includes your portfolio work, your CV, a short description about yourself, a link to your website, which you can send on email, if you are asked for one. Filesize is important - we have had 200mb+ PDFs before.

On top of your portfolio there are a few do's and dont's that you should consider…


Do's

- You should show off how creative you are with an eye-catching piece of self promotion... take a look at what other students are doing...

- Use social media to your advantage. Twitter and Facebook are great ways to make first contact with an agency. I actually got a placement through Facebook, so it's possible.

- Take on board all feedback given to you in regards to your work, and then decide which works for you.

- Interact with Creative Directors, follow them on Twitter, try and stir up a conversation, and let them know you exist.

- Try and get involved with charity work, you never know where it may lead.

- Be patient. If you're dedicated and passionate enough you will find a job.

- Ensure that you make your emails personal to that particular agency. Maybe show an interest in a particular project they did that you quite liked.

- Practice your trade. Just because you don't have a job doesn't mean you can't keep learning.

- Dress smart in interviews, it never hurts to look smart and presentable.

- Demonstrate typographic understanding in all your communication, especially in your CV.

- Go above and beyond. You need to come across more obsessed about your chosen profession than anyone else.

- Brand yourself.

- Have a sensible email address, not "BadassGangsta1989 [at] hotmail.com" - choose something with your name.

- Keep your Facebook profile private if you have something to hide that you wouldn't want a potential employer to see. Setup a Facebook page instead.

- Ask for book reviews as opposed to placements. Not every agency has the capacity to take on people for longer placements, but they can usually spare 10/15mins to give you some feedback. Also this will get you infront of more Creative Directors than just a couple of placements.

- Attend meetups. Surround yourself with like minded people, and become a part of the culture and community.

- Keep your website up to date with your latest work.

- Start up a blog. Blog about relevant content around the industry, and not about stuff like your dog or what you got up to at the weekend.

- Be seen. Post on forums, tweet regularly, comment on other people's work, stay active. If you don't you will quickly disappear into the crowd.


Dont's

- Act cocky, no one likes a cocky arrogant person.

- Don't pester CDs or agency owners. They are pretty busy people, and you can quite quickly end up on their block list. Try to politely persist.

- Don't ever, ever, start an email with "Dear Sir/Madam." It will just end up in the trash.

- Never CC other agencies when sending an email. It looks like you can't be bothered.

- Assume that you will get a job straight away, as it will only lead to disappointment.

- Most importantly don't ever give up, just keep going


I hope this all helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact myself [email protected] and I willl try to answer them the best I can. Good luck, and enjoy the journey… it's pretty awesome.