INTERESTING WAYS TO KICKSTART YOUR CREATIVE CAREER

March 21, 2017

People have lots of ways to express themselves. Some through writing, others through a song or a dance, while others may paint on a canvas or draw a picture instead. We do these things usually as a hobby, a pastime, or just an outlet for our emotions. Since, it basically comes natural to us to express ourselves, why not we gain something useful out of it?

If you’re thinking of doing something profitable out of your creative works, then why not start now? I mean, what’s holding you back? Completing something creative does not only give you the fulfillment but it goes farther than that when you’re doing it for the good of others!

Because, I’m just as eager and as inspired to show you how to kickstart and get the design job you’ve always wanted, here are amazing insightful tips to aid you in getting your first step on the staircase:

1. CREATE YOUR OWN TOOLKIT:

Have your essential tools ready to get yourself employed. Resumes are a great tool if used properly but for many creative jobs, a simple Microsoft Word document probably isn’t going to work any more. So, if you happen to have the traditional one, we advise you to tear it up and start building a unique one that shows just how good you are.

2. UTILIZE YOUR CREATIVITY:

Treat your job hunting as a design in itself. Show that you are what you are trying to portray - creative.

• If you’re a graphic designer then make something as visual as you can
• If you’re an illustrator then pick up your pencil and paper and turn that into something that represents your style
• Skilled in motion graphics? Then produce a showreel resumé that outlines your skills as well as your visual experience

3. MAKE USE OF LinkedIn:

Utilize LinkedIn which is a powerful tool to enhance your online professional presence that allows you to connect with relevant people in your industry.

Remember to fill your profile out as much as possible:

• More is better: LinkedIn’s algorithm works strongly on keywords and buzzwords. Include them as much as possible into your bio, headline and previous experience areas: you’ll show up in more searches
• Keep it focused. Employers don’t want to know that you used to be a cocktail waitress or candy floss attendant at a theme park during the summer.
• Talk about all your (relevant) experience. LinkedIn has a great section called 'Projects': use this to add as many projects as possible from school/college/university, work experience and any current or past employment (providing the client has signed it off)
• Recommendations. Write recommendations for people in order to invite them to write about you. Target bosses both old and new, as well as tutors, and consider friends from courses and ex-colleagues as well. You can’t beat word of mouth
• Follow companies. Show you’re interested in the industry by following the agencies you’re interested in, as well as recruiters in the city/area you’re looking. This will help them match you to any upcoming roles and you’ll be notified in your feed about jobs of interest

4. PORTFOLIO SITES ARE YOUR FRIEND:

Get your work out there and make sure you match your uploads with supporting posts on your personal blog and/or online design portfolio. .

5. BE ACTIVE:

Get your work out there and make sure you match your uploads with supporting posts on your personal blog and/or online design portfolio. .

6. GET MORE EXPERIENCE:

Opt to join internships and other volunteer work so that in the long term, you will gain experience,  get more contacts in the same industry, and you get to have a strong stand on the first step of the staircase.

7. SEARCH AND FIND OPENINGS:

Don't be afraid to scour agency websites to land your first job.

8. PREP FOR YOUR INTERVIEW:

After tidying up your online presence, made a tasteful yet eye-catching design portfolio, and found a job you’d love. You've applied, got the call, and they want you to attend a job interview. It's showtime!

9. HERE’S MORE:

Following these tips alone won’t guarantee that you will land that job. It will still be up to you whether you get in or not. It’s good to remember the following points:

• Be yourself throughout the entire process
• Always apply your creative skill set where possible
• Keep everything relevant, and cut out any superfluous noise
• Back everything up - university results, client feedback, LinkedIn recommendations
• Use every channel possible to get your message out there
• Be different

And finally...

10. BE WITH THOSE WHO SHARE THE SAME VALUES AS YOURSELF:

Don't just settle for a group or a company that can work with you. Rather, be with the group that treats you more like a family.

Here’s more of the advantages that you will gain:

Gain More Learnings

Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of web screens and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. Graphic designers work with both text and images.

Work From Home

Have the freedom to work from home and create projects from your coffee table or porch. As long as you have an internet connection, you can do projects without having to leave your doorstep.

Earn While Getting Paid in Doing What You Love

One of the best perks of being a graphics designer is that you will earn a living while expressing yourself.

There’s not a single approach that’s best when it comes to landing jobs, so don’t be afraid to mix things up a little and step outside your comfort zone when presenting. Other than that, we can only wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. We’re here to help you gain more insights on getting the right job that’s fit for you.

Quotes:

“If you do good work for good clients, it will lead to other good work for other good clients.If you do bad work for bad clients, it will lead to other bad work for other bad clients.” -Michael Bierut

“There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.”-Milton Glaser