REBLOGGED: Five Simple Steps to Getting that Creative Job

It’s difficult to get a job in your chosen creative industry – difficult, but not impossible! The competition is definitely fierce though, so we asked Anup, Design Director at MOO, to give some words of wisdom – wisdom that’s coming at you directly from the type of person who’ll be doing the hiring! And here’s what he has to say…

So you’ve passed through college and graduated – phew! Now you can just walk out and score an amazing job hanging out in a cool space, with cool people, doing cool stuff and getting paid, right? Wrong, I’m afraid… now the hard work starts. And these days the competition is tougher than ever out there – so here are five tips for showing off your skills and nailing that first job.

1. Stand out

It may seem obvious, but essentially you need to be memorable. Your business cards for instance – they’re a chance for people take a snapshot of your work away with them! If I leave a show with a printed postcard sampling your work, I’m going to remember why I liked you. If your card just has a phone number on it, I won’t have a clue. And please don’t be shy, have the courage to approach people and say ‘My work is different, let me show you why.’

2. Get noticed
Social media is great for building your profile and network. Instagram your work, tweet your exhibition, link with your industry. Big brands do it all the time, so follow their lead. You can also hunt people down – find out the name of the creative director so you can post, call, and email them directly. It removes the barriers to getting your work in front of the right eyes. Think about using other communication vehicles too. A chap in New York was recently hired for creating a £4 pop-up ad that appeared when employers he was targeting searched their own names. Genius.

3. Your CV
You’re a designer, so please design your CV! I wouldn’t look at a CV in Word – remember, it’s part of your portfolio, too. Keep it concise and never, ever forget to spellcheck. You’d be amazed how many typos I see, which doesn’t say much about your self-proclaimed “keen attention to detail”. I’ve even had someone spell my name incorrectly – not a good first impression.

4. Network
Get out and meet as many people as you can. Go to industry events and socialise with other people in the design world. You’ll learn so much and you’ll build a book full of people you can approach for introductions too. Never say no to a meeting – you don’t know what it may lead to.

5. Make an impression
When you get to your meeting, event or interview, make an impression. Be interesting and interested in the person you’re talking to. Although it can be tempting to be humble, modesty doesn’t sell. You have 60 minutes to convince somebody that you’re the person they want, need, can’t do without. And don’t wear bad shoes (I always notice them).

So, now you’ve heard what Anup has to say, it’s time to polish up that CV, make those contacts, and dig out your very best footwear (you never know who might be looking). The competition might be fierce, but someone will bag that awesome job, so make sure it’s you!


Written by Anup
20th June 2014
The MOO Blog