Securing A Placement

Securing A Placement

1.

Finding A Company

Clients like to see self-initiated work, it shows motivation and enthusiasm!

Key 3 things employees look for in you that yiu should look for in employers: great work, energy and a nice personality.

Talk to people, send emails, write letters, use social media.

Regularly check for updates or new opportunities.

Look for a design company that does the kind of work you want to do.

Regularly check for updates or new opportunities.

Good places to look:

itsnicethatjobsboard.com Social Media Company Websites creativereview.co.uk/jobs.graphic-design creativepool.com/jobs jobs.designweek.co.uk Unilearn placement-uk.com ePlacements designjobsboard.com Magazines & Newspapers

2.

Making First Contact

Never start by sending an email containing your portfolio, if they aren’t expecting a large pdf attachment they will probably bin it. If email is the medium you plan on using send an email first to touch base with them and ask if they would like to see your portfolio.

It doesn’t matter how beautiful and artsy your CV/ portfolio is, if there’s a spelling a grammatical error it’s probably going in the bin.

Never just use a generic CV or letter, tailor each one to the specific company and job you are applying for.

Always say why you want to work for them in particular and how you think you will benefit them as a company. Don’t forget to set a time to follow up with them so they know it’s coming and don’t just think you’re trying to annoy them.

If using eplacements to find a placement always look on the job post and see how the company prefers to be contacted.

There is a grain of truth in “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Go to art & design events such as speaker series, trade shows and conferences to meet new people, if in doubt twitter stalk people.

We all Facebook stalk people. Chances are the studios you’re applying to will as well. Make sure you have suitable privacy settings. You want your possible employers to think that you’re a fun sociable person, not that you might have a drink problem or swear like a trooper.

LinkedIn is an invaluable resource, get connecting with people.

3.

Creating A Portfolio

Package your portfolio so your work is the star attraction.

Try to take a step back and look through anothers eyes.

Talior your portfolio specifically to the job you’re applying for.

Never stop editing.

Give a diverse range.

Quality not quantity.

Create a contents page.

Provide context.

Get testimonials from happy cleints.

Get online, it’s the key to getting out there.

Use blogs and social media to promote your portfolio.

20 pages physically, 30 pages digitally.

4.

Presenting Your Portfolio

1. Relevance Don’t just show everything you think looks good, pick things that show skills and abilities relevant to the job you’re applying for. Do these images show a story or show how you solved a problem or fulfilled the brief.

2. Beating Nerves If you’re feeling nervous, ask family or friends if you can practice on them even better if they are a fellow designer.

3. Wear Something Appropriate Whilst it’s safe to say a three peice suit isn’t appropriate for jobs in creative industries you don’t want to turn up looking scruffy wither.

Wear something that shows you’re serious about the job and is also neat and tidy.

4. Preparation Do your research on the place you’re applying to. If they focus on branding and corporate identity don’t fill your portfoilo with illustration examples.

5. Confidence Try to ooze confidence. Look them in the eye, be friendly and try to relax. Usually, they’ll ask you to present your portfolio before moving on to more general questions.

6. Enthusiasm Be positive about each piece that you’ve selected: never belittle it or make excuses. If you’re not behind any of the work in your portfolio, perhaps it shouldn’t be there.

7. The Reveal One particularly effective storytelling technique that you can use is to preface each example briefly before you reveal the work. Something along the lines of: “The next piece will hopefully demonstrate how I...”

8. Listen, think, respond Don’t get so into your patter that you can’t stop and respond to the ocassional question. Think carefully about what is being asked before you respond.

9. The Wrap Up It’s common for interviewees to prepare a ‘leave-behind’ – this could be as simple as a postcard or brochure displaying your best work and contact details, or even something a little more innovative. Whatever it is, you want the interviewer to remember you and your work, and to get in touch.

10. Obtaining Feedback ...

5.

Obtaining Feedback

Try contacting successful artists, but don’t be a pest.

Don’t be scared to ask for critical feedback when rejected.

Leave a feedback box on your blog/page.

Ask questions but not too many.

Use social media, get people involved.

Join forums/groups where you can talk to other designers.

6.

Following Up

Email is the best way to keep in touch with companies, but hand written letters are more personal.

Email first, call second, thirds wait for them to call you.

Remind them of what you can offer.

Keep in contact so they don’t forget about you.

If that company doesn’t want you, ask if they know of others who may be interested.