springboard 501

Networking Isn't Painful. If You Do It Right.

2010-06-06T19:49:00.005-05:00

Simple truth: networking is the most effective way to land a job. In fact, sixty percent of jobs are found through networking

Sadly, most people would rather blindly send their resume to a complete stranger than introduce themselves to someone who may be the key to landing their next job.

The killer is, networking isn't that hard. All it takes is a slight attitude change and a few easy steps.

First for the attitude change: Don't think of it as "networking" (whatever the hell that really means). You're meeting new people. Making friends. It's that simple.

The best way to do that? Go to industry events.

The easiest people to approach are the ones in charge of putting on the event. For instance, you can easily pick out board members at AAF or AIGA or IABC events by their name tags (they usually have plastic badges, while everyone else has paper tags). Start with them. Part of their job is to talk to new people and to introduce people to each other. Take advantage of that. If one of them doesn't do that for you, move on to another. Really want their attention? Ask about membership. That always kicks them into gear.

Next, look for people who, like you, appear to be there by themselves. They'll be happy to have someone come talk to them. Then work together and approach other individuals or small groups. After awhile, you'll have your own group going. Be welcoming to anyone who approaches or is near you. After awhile, break off from that group and start over. Later in the event go back around and re-engage with the people you met earlier.

Also, this may sound obvious, but talk to the person standing next to you. In line. At the bar. In the middle of the room. (But not in the bathroom. That's just creepy.)

Okay, that's great. But what do I talk to them about?

Them.

Ask if they are are involved in the organization; how they got involved; where they work;

did they enjoy the speaker/event/food; did they see the game last night; how long have they lived in the city; what made them move here; whatever. Just get a conversation going. The more you try it, the better you'll get at it.

Okay, now I've introduced myself to people. How do I get them to remember me?

Clearly introduce yourself at the beginning AND the end of your conversation. Hand them a business card (make your own). It will ensure they know your name and can remember it later. Also, ask for their card. If they don't have one, jot down their name on a piece of paper you have stashed in your pocket (along with a pen). You can always look them up later on LinkedIn or Facebook for contact information. AND make a point of bumping it to them again later at the event. No need for a long conversation. Just a "Hi, nice to see you again." This will again help them remember you later.

Then follow up. Send an e-mail the next day telling them it was nice meeting them (it takes several contacts for people to remember you). Make sure to reference part of your conversation with them to jog their memory.

A few days after that, follow up on LinkedIn or Facebook letting them know you would like to connect with them. This will be your fourth interaction. There's a good chance they will now remember you the next time you meet.

Continue going to events. Reconnect with the people you met before. After a while, they will "know" you and introduce you to other people.

I've tried all that, but I'm not having success. Now what?

Stick to it. Networking is about regular contact -- over the long term. To be effective, you have to keep at it. I can't tell you how many people I've met at one or two events and then never seen again. I can't tell you because I've forgotten them. They didn't stick at it long enough to develop a relationship or make a lasting impression. That takes time. And persistence.

But what about asking about job openings? You've said nothing about that.

There's a reason for that. If you ask about a job upfront, then you are not developing a relationship. A relationship has to be equal give and take. You are trying to start the relationship by taking. That never works. And the person will quickly duck out of the conversation.

It's okay to let them know you are job hunting, but don't ask them for something. It's all about timing. It's like meeting someone you are attracted to and asking him/her if they are looking to get married. How fast do you think that person will run away?

You can ask about job openings after you've connected again. People are much more likely to be receptive and helpful if they feel they know you.

After all, friends are all about helping friends.

Why Aren't Employers Calling Me?

2010-04-27T06:17:00.005-05:00

Last week I posted a question to job seekers: "What is the most frustrating part of the job search?"

A common response: "Waiting to hear from potential employers."

The harsh truth: You're not going to hear from most of them. And you just have to expect that.

I applied for a job that was posted on a job board // You have almost zero chance of hearing from them unless they want to interview you. As I mentioned in last week's post, we had almost 200 people apply for one job (many of them were unqualified "carpet bombers" who apply for everything because "you never know"). This is not an uncommon number for a job board posting. The only people who heard from us were those we interviewed. We don't have the people to respond to 200 applicants (remember, we're looking to add someone, so we're already short-handed). That's how it is everywhere.

I sent in a blind resume // See above.

I applied to a job posting on their website // You might hear from them. But most likely it will be a generic "We received your application" auto response.

I sent in a resume because I heard they had an opening // Again, you might hear from them.

No point in being frustrated. You can't change the fact you aren't hearing back from them when they aren't interested. But here's my question to you: why aren't they interested?

Did you apply for something you were highly (not just slightly) qualified for?
Did you tailor your resume to the job description?
Did you write a resume that makes you stand out?
Did you list only relevant experience? (We're looking for quality, not quantity.)
Did you make sure there were no mistakes in your cover letter and resume?
Did you follow all their instructions for submitting an application?
Did you send it in on time?
Did you sound professional?

Lastly, if you are only applying for jobs that have been posted, that's a big part of the problem. Most jobs are found through networking. We'll talk about that more next time.

The reality is you'll seldom hear back from places you've applied. Just expect that. Let's face it: you only want to hear back from them if they are interested in you anyway.

So make sure they will be interested.

Next time: How to network.

How to Stand Out Among Hundreds of Resumes

2010-04-18T16:54:00.005-05:00

(Sorry I've been away so long. Work, ya know. I figured with all the upcoming graduations, now was the time to jump back into regular posting.)

Almost 200 resumes. That's how many resumes we received for a recent job posting.

Among that many resumes, imagine how easy it is to get lost in the pile. Of those 200 resumes, only half made it to my desk. I then eliminated 75% of them after only about 20-30 seconds with each.

That took us down to 25. Which we quickly whittled to 12. That means we eliminated 95% of the resumes without too much trouble (even though it took several hours to get through all of them).

How did those 12 people continue to make the cut and get the all-important phone interview? Simple. They followed these guidelines:

Qualified // I know this sounds obvious, but the first 50% were eliminated because they weren't even close to qualified. They were carpet-bombers. They sent out their resume to anything out there. They wasted their time – and ours. Which also means they didn't spend enough time focusing on jobs they were qualified for – and may have missed out on landing.
Relevant information // All the information on the resume was relevant to the job we were looking to fill. They left out their coffee shop job, their sorority "responsibilities" and the bullshit info that career services always tells you to put on your resume.
Concise, yet specific // Made it easy for the reviewers to find the most important information on their resume. If reviewers have to wade through a bunch of crap to get to what they want, they are likely to bail out of the resume. Remove all extraneous information. Think and rethink every word on your resume.
Followed directions // Simple, right? You'd be amazed at how many people didn't follow even the simplest directions. We asked each candidate to answer a few quick questions. There were a few very qualified people who failed to do what we asked. They were eliminated from consideration. It told us they didn't pay attention – which meant they weren't right for the job. Stupid way to miss out on a job.
Made us believe // Lastly, they made us believe they were specifically interested in the job we were looking to fill – not just any old job. Their resume was geared towards the job. Their cover letter was specific and not just a template. And they followed all the above steps.

Amazingly, standing out among 200 resumes is easier than you think. You just have to do a few simple things.

Good luck in your search.

Surviving a Long Job Search

2010-01-29T10:02:00.002-06:00

Michael Wells, my former intern, started his first job in December after an 18-month search. Here's his take on what kept him going during his long search. (I'll return soon with a new batch of posts. Send your questions my way.)

So, you just graduated, or perhaps graduated a while ago, and you're looking for the first company that will take a chance on you. The bills are piling up. The six-month grace period on your loans is coming – or gone. You're looking for a spark of life on the internet – anything that will give you direction or hope.

I spent a year and a half looking for my first job. And the most important thing I learned? Perseverance. The ability to keep moving forward, in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.

These are the things that kept me moving forward and may help you:

Find an unpaid internship. The experience is worth more than money.
Set up informational interviews. (Don't roll your eyes.) It's a great way to build your network.
Know the top ten places you want to work. And know them inside and out.
Network, network, network. When you think you've networked enough, network some more.
Keep in touch with your contacts.
Find things that draw you closer to what you ultimately want to do. Subscribe to Ad Age, Communications Arts, etc.; join the local American Advertising Federation chapter or other local industry associations; get involved in charity work; take more classes; read industry books.)
Form a virtual agency. I did. Gather together people in the same boat as you and find a pro bono client to create work for.
Start freelancing.
Work social media. You'll be amazed at the number of positions posted through LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook that you won't see anywhere else.

In the end, you've got to love this business. And be willing to work through all the crap that is between you and your first job. Remember, at any moment, your first job is right around the corner. Keep moving forward and you'll find it.

Happy hunting!

Michael Wells

Practice and Polish to Get Hired

2009-12-04T07:32:00.002-06:00

Guest post from Kathryn Lorenzen, Principal/Career Development Coach with AfterSchool Career Workshops (Much of what I write about, I learned from Kathryn.)

If you’re a soon-to-graduate senior, I don’t mean to scare you, but…the unemployment rate among young college graduates is the highest in the overall population (as high as 18% in some areas), the highest it’s been since the government started counting in 1948. And because so many firms are deferring hires of entry-level talent, a high percentage of graduates are not finding jobs in their chosen fields.

What that means is that you must be as competitive as you can possibly be in order to get hired. You must be smart in your research, how you organize yourself, how you network and communicate, how you interview, and how you build your support system.

The most successful job-seekers, those who get an offer for the job they want, have practiced and drilled and mastered the basic, building-block skills. They have crafted their own personal marketing statements, they can introduce themselves and initiate effective networking conversations, they can tailor a resume and cover letter for target companies, they can present themselves professionally in an interview, and they know how to negotiate an offer. Hiring managers look not only for competence, but also for polished communication and confidence.

These are skills that can be practiced in classrooms and workshops, and with mentors, counselors, and peers. There is no substitute for practice! The most important things to practice include: what you say about yourself; how you describe what you’re looking for; how you ask others to help you; what you say in dialogue with an interviewer; and how you follow up after the interview.

Here is some good news. There’s a whole new way for you to prepare to compete effectively for the job you want. Lisa Correu and I have created AfterSchool Career Workshops, which kick off next week. Each workshop is a self-contained, one-day session which covers all the bases and equips you to leave with a game plan and all the tactics you need to make it happen. We’ve had lots of terrific support in putting this together, including our logo design courtesy of Springboard Creative (thanks, Kevin!), and we’ve poured our collective experience as recruiters and hiring managers into giving you intensive coaching and guidance.

Our first sessions will take place next week, on December 9 and December 12 in Kansas City, MO. If you’d like to be our guest as we bring this training to the market, we’d like to give you an opportunity to attend free! (We will be charging $125+ after January 1^st.) In return, we’ll ask you to provide us some video feedback on the content during the final half hour.

If you’re interested in attending free (this is a one-time-only opportunity), visit our website and email us through the Contact Us button before Monday, December 7. While you’re there, be sure to read the list of everything you’ll learn, check out our blog (tips galore), and help yourself to the free downloads.

Let’s get new graduates hired!

Show, Don't Tell

2009-11-19T15:38:00.002-06:00

I review a lot of student portfolios. Right up front, I ask students what they want to do for a living.

"I want to be in advertising."

And then I don't see a single ad.

"I want to be a magazine designer."

And I see nothing but logos and posters.

If you want to be in advertising, your portfolio better be full of concepts. If you want to be a magazine designer, you need to show editorial work. Etc., etc., etc.

I'm not going to take your word for it that you can create ads, write taglines, design logos, animate videos or anything else. You have to show me.

Don't have the kind of work in your portfolio you would like to do? Simple. Create it.

Your portfolio doesn't have to be full of graded student projects. It doesn't matter if it was for class or not. I just want proof you can do the work. And do it well.

Show me that, and you might get the job.

Don't Derail Your Job Search With This Mistake

2009-10-30T08:10:00.003-05:00

There's one consistent mistake I see that completely derails a person's job search. And I'm seeing it more and more.

Disappearing.

I don't know if people get frustrated, embarrassed or just lose their desire, but I'm seeing way too many job seekers drop out of sight. As important as networking is in any job search, disappearing (for even a little while) will ensure that your chances of getting a job will come to a screeching halt.

I know quite a few people looking for work (happens when you write a career blog). However, if I hear of a job opening, maybe a quarter of those people will come to mind. I have no idea if the rest are still looking (I assume they are) because I haven't heard from them in months. Which means they may miss out on a great opportunity.

Keep yourself visible. Go to industry events. Volunteer. Post regularly on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Let people know you are out there. If you disappear, you effectively end your chances of finding out about available jobs. Because, if you are counting solely on job boards, you are, to put it bluntly, screwed.

I've mentioned before that finding a job is your full-time job. So set aside a part of everyday to follow up with a set number of people. Don't be afraid to let them know you are actively seeking employment. And remember, at the end of every conversation, ask "Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

How will people know you are looking for a job if you don't tell them?

------------------------------------

Writer's Note: Funny I should write about disappearing after having disappeared from this blog for the past six weeks. Sorry about that. Anything you want me to write about? Just post a comment with a question and I'll be sure to cover it, or get back to you.

And You Are... ?

2009-09-11T14:02:00.005-05:00

Last night I attended a great Art+Copy Club event.

My favorite part of those events is the networking (and, no, not for the beer). I love talking to old friends and meeting new people. In fact, I'm the guy who goes around the room and tries to talk to everyone.

It's not uncommon for people to come up to me at these events. What throws me is when we're a minute or two into conversation and the person makes a comment that makes me realize we've met before. I then spend the next few minutes trying to remember where.

Sometimes it's someone who's heard me speak. Or someone who's portfolio I've reviewed. Or someone I talked to at the last event.

When you approach someone at an event like this, reintroduce yourself and remind them how you met ("You reviewed my portfolio last spring."). Usually that reminder will do the trick and they'll remember you. It's rare that I just don't remember someone.

That little memory trigger will keep them engaged in your conversation instead of trying to remember where you met before.

It also allows them to introduce you to other people. The whole point of networking.

The Best Pay for an Intern Isn't Always Cash

2009-08-30T20:16:00.006-05:00

When looking for a job, connections are more valuable than money.

And the best way to make those connections is through an internship. Even if you've already graduated.

Many of the best internships don't pay a dime. They pay in connections, opportunities and experience. And during a job search, those are far more valuable than cash.

Look at small agencies, especially one-, two-, or three-person shops. They might not be able to pay you. But they can give you better opportunities and are more likely to assist you in your search.

At a large agency, you're just another intern. At a small shop, you can become an important part of the team.

How do you find a post-graduate internship? Approach the owner at a small shop. Volunteer to go in and help with anything. Tell them you don't need money, you just want the experience of working with them. Who knows? Someone who isn't considering an intern may take you on.

Sound simple? Not really. Here's the catch: it has to be someone you have a relationship with. A small shop isn't likely to take on someone they don't know.

So, do what you can to develop strong relationships. I have several recent grads doing that with me right now. When my current intern lands a job, I'll look to bring in one of them.

How I (like other small shops) pay interns: access to my connections, a strong referral, feedback on resume and portfolio, use of my studio and its equipment, as well as active assistance from me in the job search.

And that's worth quite a bit.

(Side note: Normally I don't advise working for free. But in unusual times you have to do whatever is going to help you out in the long run.)

Prepare for the Rebound

2009-08-14T13:04:00.010-05:00

When I graduated from college, desktop computers had just entered ad agencies – which meant fewer people were needed to do the same work. It took me months to find my first job.

What you’re experiencing is unmatched.

However, the rebound is on its way. It might not happen next week or next month, but it is coming. You need to be prepared in order to land a job.

Build your skills // If you don’t have interactive skills, stop reading right now and sign up for interactive training (that includes you writers). You can register at your local community college. Many have two-day or one-week intensive courses. Just make sure it gives you a good foundation. And then dive in and learn, learn, learn. The people who are going to get hired have an understanding of interactive. If you don’t have that knowledge, you will likely end up in the “no” pile when companies are reviewing resumes. Print isn't dead, but it has all the people it needs. It’s simple. Want a job? Know interactive.

Create a team // My intern Mike is putting together a team of creatives to do pro bono work for an acquaintance. It shows initiative. It shows leadership. It shows well on his resume. He and the rest of the group are sharpening their creative skills and proving their ability to work as part of a team. Plus, they’ll get a nice portfolio piece out of it.

Be fearless // Introduce yourself to people. Follow up. Ask people if they know of openings. What’s the worst thing that can happen? They don’t respond. Big deal. Move on to the next person. If you don’t try, you don’t stand a chance.

The rebound is coming. Are you prepared?

Have a question? Post a comment and I’ll be happy to respond.

There Are Jobs Out There

2009-07-10T08:03:00.003-05:00

Seriously. There are jobs out there.

Last night I heard about two job openings at an AAF-KC after hours event. The day before I heard about two others.

However, these openings are not widely known. Many hiring companies now keep openings to themselves. They don't want to be inundated with resumes and phone calls. And, with the load of talent out there, companies are being very picky about who they talk to, let alone hire.

Depressing? A little. But now that you know, you can work it to your advantage.

As I mentioned in my last post, keep in touch with people. What may look like lucky timing is usually consistent follow-up.
Attend industry events. It's the best place to meet people who can tell you about job openings. But, you have to do this over time. You can't expect to pick up job leads your first time there. People share leads with people they know. You have to attend consistently.
Follow agencies or people you've met on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. You'll learn when they land clients, which means they may be hiring. They may even post job openings.
Be sure to update anyone who provides you with a lead. Let them know if the lead turned into something or even if nothing happened. They are more likely to help you again. If I give you a lead and you don't let me know how it worked out, I'm very unlikely to provide you another.

It isn't easy. But remember, these rules apply to everyone. And now you've got a leg up on the competition. Because you know there are jobs out there – and how to root them out.

The KEY to developing your network.

2009-06-26T07:51:00.002-05:00

Stay in touch.

Swear to God, it's that simple.

Just because you've met someone doesn't mean they are part of your network. You have to develop a relationship with them.

Drop them an e-mail once in a while. Or make a quick phone call. But always have a reason for contacting them. And, this is key, the reason should be about them. Not you. A relationship is a two-way street. It can't just be about what they can do for you. They have to get something out of it as well.

An example: Anyone who knows anything about me knows I moved into a new studio recently. I've written about it on Twitter, Facebook, etc. This is the perfect opening for a conversation.

In fact, here's an e-mail I received:

How's the studio? I know, not a catchy line, but you start to run out of ideas after awhile. How's everything going? Has the transition been smooth? If you need help with anything, let me know. Mike.

I've known Mike awhile now. He's kept in regular contact with me. And it's always relationship-building. Never "Do you know where I can get a job?"

He asked questions. That encourages dialogue. Dialogue builds relationships. He also volunteered to help me out. And, he kept it short. He did everything right.

I called Mike that day and offered him an internship at Springboard Creative. Not because he asked for one (he didn't). But because, after all this time, I felt I knew him well. As part of that internship, I'll be helping him find a job.

And it was all because he kept in contact.

Don't Facebook Yourself Out of a Job

2009-06-03T14:29:00.005-05:00

"I'm trying to keep this on the down low, but ..."

So started a post from one of my Facebook connections. He thought of it as a private conversation between him and a friend. Unfortunately, he broadcast it to everyone connected to either of them.

Never, ever, ever, and I mean ever post something on Facebook, MySpace, etc. that you don't want everyone to know. Especially prospective employers.

I've written on the career dangers of this before. Just about anyone who is in a hiring position (within our industry anyway) is on Facebook and all the other social network sites. And they will check your page out. Do you feel comfortable with what they'll read or see?

Visit your own page with the mindset of a potential employer. Would you hire you based on your page?

Clean it up. Delete embarrassing photos (and remove tags from other people's photos). Remove unflattering comments. Rework you profile page. Start over if necessary. If they don't like what they see, this may be the only "contact" you have with them.

And making your page private will not solve your problems. There are easy ways around that.

Don't miss out on a great opportunity because you think your social pages are private. They're not.

Expand Your Network with One Simple Question

2009-05-27T19:08:00.002-05:00

"Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

End every conversation you have with that one simple question.

The beauty of the question is that not only do you get a name or two to contact, you get a name to use when making contact.

"Hi. Kevin Fullerton said I should talk to you. I'm a writer ..."

People are much more likely to talk to you, and more importantly listen to you, when you've been sent to them by someone they know. They're also more likely to be helpful.

Even if they don't have a job opening, they may know someone who does. In any event, after thanking them for their time, ask:

"Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

Do I Send My Portfolio to an Agency?

2009-05-17T22:44:00.005-05:00

Kevin – Is a physical book something you bring to an interview, or is it something you send off to agency? I've noticed most agencies have a stack of books that were sent to them. And if you do send your book off, do you get it back or do you have multiple copies? – Hudson

Your book/portfolio will be viewed in two ways:

During an interview // After reviewing your resume, the agency will determine they want to meet you and view your portfolio at the same time. In fact, viewing and discussing your portfolio will be the majority of the interview. You will usually leave with your portfolio in hand. Occasionally the interviewer will ask you to leave it behind (especially if they want someone else to see it). Ask them when you can return to pick it up. A day or two is the longest they should hold it.
Pre-interview // An agency may ask you to send in your portfolio to determine if they want to interview you. They'll call in several portfolios at once so they can narrow down their interview pool. They should hold it no longer than a week. Again, ask them when you can return to pick it up.

Since you may have to leave your portfolio with an agency for a few days, it is best to have more than one copy of your portfolio. The last thing you want is to have someone call you in when you are sans portfolio.

Also, don't be afraid to ask if you can send it to them electronically instead (just be positive it works perfectly on any computer). This gives them what they need and doesn't leave you minus your portfolio. If fact, for interviews, carry a copy of your portfolio on a CD as a leave-behind.

Lastly, if they don't understand you can't be without your portfolio for more than a few days, run the other direction. You don't want to work there.

Any interviewers out there have other recommendations?

"Why Can't I Get a Job?"

2009-05-06T11:31:00.002-05:00

I've been hearing that question a lot lately.

For each person, it's a different reason. Right now, it's mostly the economy. However, some people immediately take themselves out of the running by bone-headed moves.

So I posted the following question on Twitter and Facebook: "What mistakes do you see from recent grads during the search/interview process?"

Loads of people responded. Most of their responses fell under the following seven mistakes:

Don't know what they want to do // "I could do account service or creative." No. No you can't. If I'm hiring a writer, and it's between a writer and someone who could do whatever, who do you think I'm hiring?
Don't stand out // Boring resume? Generic cover letter? No interview for you. If you can't effectively market yourself, why would I hire you to market my client?
Irrelevant information // Unless one of my clients is HyVee, I don't care that you worked for HyVee. You only have about 20 seconds to capture my attention with your resume. Don't waste it on things I don't care about.
Mistakes // As my friend David so eloquently said "Proof. Proof. Proog. Oops."
Not prepared // "So annoying when students come in for an interview and don't know a flipping thing about my company." Why would you want to annoy the interviewer?
Following bad advice // This comes from a recruiter: "Following really bad advice from a parent or relative. Like asking for upper 30s for a first job in advertising." Make sure you're getting advice from people who know what they're talking about.
No follow up // "A thank you note afterwards is a nice touch. Hardly anyone does it anymore and it can really make you stand out." And when she says note, she mean handwritten.

I'm sure you've heard most, if not all, of these before. However, these are the common mistakes recent grads continue to make. Want to have a chance at getting that job? Make sure you don't do any of the above.

Good luck.

Hire Yourself

2009-04-29T08:56:00.002-05:00

Nothing out there? No one returning your calls? No job in the foreseeable future?

Hire yourself.

"You must be on drugs. In this economy, and with my lack of experience, you want me to start a business?"

Well ... yes.

Many of the best companies started in crappy economic conditions (including loads of great, small companies). In fact, I believe conditions like these are great for starting your own business.

Here's the thing – maybe it works out, maybe it doesn't. But you'll learn, grow and gain valuable experience.

My most valuable learning experience happens to be my greatest failure. (I affectionately refer to it as "my bobsled ride to hell.") I was part of a start-up company that lasted only a year. We did everything wrong. And I learned more in that one year than all other years combined. It also set me up for the career I have now.

Several students/recent grads I know have started businesses. Check out Brendan's Love Sick Clothing, Chases' Wicked Threadz and Tosha's TYPOGRFX. Whether these businesses succeed or fail, the people will definitely succeed. Because they have that entrepreneurial mindset.

I'm not telling you to stop your job search. I'm telling you to take control of your career. The business may grow into something big, or become a nice side project once you are employed, or may be that glorious failure that propels you to something bigger.

Plus, it will give you the answer to the interview question "What have you been doing since graduation?"

And saying "I started my own business" is a great answer.

Your Full-Time Job Is Finding a Job

2009-04-13T16:37:00.002-05:00

Congratulations on graduation and the start of your new full-time job – finding a job.

Yes.

Your. Full. Time. Job.

Responsibilities include:

Researching possible employers // Find the firms who do what you want to do.
Targeting possible employers // Your cover letter, resume and all other communications should be specific to that employer. Don't just replace one name with another.
Constant networking // Keep yourself top-of-mind. You want people talking about you. And remember, for it to be true networking, you have to give back as much as you get.
Creating new portfolio pieces // Never stop improving your work. Always aim to knock the weakest piece out of your portfolio.
Keeping up with industry news // Know who's hiring, who's firing and who's the right fit for you.
Attending industry events // Best way to meet people. And make sure they know you.
Following up with contacts // See previous post for importance of this.
Finding a pro bono client // Gives you a professional reference, another piece for your portfolio and keeps your skills sharp.
Other duties as required // In other words, whatever it takes.

Hours: 9:00 to 5:00, minimum. Some evenings and weekends required.

Qualifications: tenacity, tenacity and, did I mention, tenacity.

Pay: your first professional job.

So, welcome to your new job. Let me know how it goes.

Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

2009-04-01T20:22:00.004-05:00

Large or small, your network of contacts is only as effective as the work you put into it.

Regular follow up is an important part of that.

Did someone give you a lead? Let them know how it turns out.

Did you meet someone at an industry event? Get their card and send them a quick e-mail telling them you enjoyed meeting them.

Did someone review your portfolio or resume for you? Let them know what changes you made on the basis of their advice.

You get the idea.

And it's not just about thanking them (which you should do). It's also about keeping yourself top-of-mind so they think of you when they hear of an opening.

Even now I regularly hear about job openings. If I haven't heard from someone in a while, I assume they found something and don't pass on their name. Or, if I've only had contact with them once or twice, I may not even think of them.

So follow up on a regular basis with your contacts. It can be a short e-mail, a quick phone call or a hand-written note (wow, that would stand out). It's all about developing an ongoing relationship.

People are more likely to help someone they know than some stranger off the street – which is what you'll be if you don't maintain contact.

Plus, you never know who may give you the lead or advice that helps you land that job.

Samples Can Help Land You the Job

2009-03-21T11:09:00.005-05:00

Over 100 people applied for an entry-level job opening I had several years ago.

Each resume initially received about 20 seconds of my time before it was relegated to either the Yes pile or the No pile. The resumes in the Yes pile would be closely reviewed later to determine who would be brought in for an interview. Only about 15 resumes made it into that pile.

One resume was about to be placed in the No pile when I noticed an attached page. The attachment showed three samples of the designer's work. The work was impressive, so the resume went from its original position in the No pile to the Yes pile.

The resume was a No pile candidate because the candidate had no experience as a designer – no internship, no related clubs or activities, no freelance work, nothing. (I later learned it was because he had to work for his way through school. However, that's still no excuse.)

But, he was smart. He knew he didn't have the resume materials, so he sent samples of his work. That's all it took to move him from the No pile to the Yes pile.

Which lead to an interview.

And then the job.

Remember, the only point of the resume is to get you an interview. If you don't have the resume for that, then send a few samples of your work as well. When it comes down to it, we're more interested in the quality of your work than we are your experience.

It worked for one designer.

Hogblog: A Great Career Resource

2009-03-09T14:07:00.003-05:00

Check out this great post from Sally Hogshead. If you are not following Sally, you should be.

"Geez, I wish someone had told me this while I was still in school."

2) Simple, brilliant ideas kick ass over fancy execution.

Go to her blog to check out the other 11.

Take the Long View on Your Job Search

2009-02-27T10:54:00.003-06:00

Not that you don't already know this, but this economy officially blows ... and it's going to last awhile. Especially in our industry.

The hardest hit? You. (Or at least it feels that way.)

So, what should you do? Stay in school (or go back)? Find a job in another industry? Try even harder?

Yes.

You need to do whatever is right for you – with one huge caveat. Continue your job search while you do whatever else you need to do. Just make sure you take the long view on your career.

Interview at places that don't currently have openings.
Get involved in local industry organizations and meet as many people as possible.
Regularly follow up with people you've met. Build relationships.
Continue to build/improve your portfolio.
Do creative work for non-profits that otherwise couldn't afford creative services.
Keep your skills sharp.

Think of this as setting yourself up for a job in three, six or 12 months. And if you get one earlier than that, bonus. Eventually, hiring will pick back up and you want to be top-of-mind when it starts. (I know the first three people I'm going after when I'm ready to add staff – one's in college and one graduated a year ago.)

The key is persistence. With this economy, unfortunately, you have to change your expectations. It's going to be a long, hard search process. Prepare yourself for that fact.

There is no better way to make a living than as a creative. After all these years, I still find myself thinking "I can't believe I get paid to do this."

And you will too. You just have to stick with it.

Your Instructor Isn't the Only One Grading Your Assignments

2009-02-15T11:58:00.003-06:00

It's time to change the way you look at class assignments.

You're not doing them for the grade. Or your instructor. Or, worse yet, just to get them done.

You're doing them for your portfolio.

Because when it comes down to it, creative directors don't care about your grades, your instructor, or your school. They care about the content of your portfolio. Period.

And where do those portfolio pieces come from? Mostly from class assignments.

So when starting an assignment, think about how it will fit into your portfolio. Will it show creative growth? Or will it show boring repetition? Will it show new skills? Or that you only have a few tools at your disposal? Will it show the kind of work you are passionate about? Or simply show what you did?

Create work that shows your true capabilities. Go beyond the assignment and put more into it than required. And once you've received your grade, go back and make it even better. (Yes, improve it even after you've received your grade.)

Trust me, your instructors will appreciate it.

And, more importantly, creative directors will too.

Follow Your Connections to the End

2009-02-01T13:29:00.003-06:00

Last year at the ADDY Awards, an art director named Matt introduced himself to me.

He then thanked me for helping him land his current job – three years ago.

It may seem odd that he received help from someone he had never met, but it's not unusual. Smart networking and consistent follow through include contacting many people you've never met. And you have to be persistent to continue the chain of connections until you reach your goal.

Matt was ready for a job change and our mutual friend Greg told him to contact me. I trust Greg's judgement so I talked to Matt on the phone and told him to send me his portfolio.

His work was outstanding and very specialized. I happened to know the perfect place for him. I sent him to a guy I didn't know at the time (but do now). Matt followed up with with that connection and got the job.

In the end, Matt landed his job by connecting with Greg, who connected him to me, who connected him to his current boss.

The sad thing is most people never follow through and make that second or third connection.

More often than not, someone will tell me they advised a friend to contact me and I'll never hear from that person. In fact, I'm usually surprised when I do.

Be smart. Follow each connection until the end.

You never know which connection is going to lead you to that elusive job. Just ask Matt.

Be Selfish. Volunteer.

2009-01-25T16:41:00.002-06:00

I just wrapped up one of my favorite weekends of the year – ADDY judging weekend.

As judging chair, I was responsible for putting together our panel of judges. After a few months of searching and calling, we landed some of the top talent from around the nation.

This past weekend, they came to Kansas City for two days to judge 1,200 or so pieces.

In order to make judging weekend happen, we needed volunteers. About 25 or so.

Our volunteers included creative directors, art directors, writers, photographers, account managers and, yes, students. And they all worked together to make judging run smoothly.

What a great chance to get to know people in the industry (and for them to know you). How often do you get the chance to work on an equal level with a creative director? Or a well-connected writer? Or even a potential co-worker? (Remember, the best way to get in the door is through a current employee.)

Want to get hired? Be known. Want to be known? Get involved as an industry volunteer.

I know many volunteers who landed jobs based on connections made through organizations like Ad Club.

You just have to be selfish – by volunteering.

(And who knows? You may even get the chance to meet people whose work you admire. I did.)

Follow and Be Followed

2009-01-09T08:08:00.002-06:00

Most job openings are never advertised. You just have to know about them ... or luck upon them.

Unfortunately, luck is an inconsistent (and unreliable) ally. So you need to become an information junkie. And the more information you have, the "luckier" you become.

Target the places you want to work. Yeah, yeah, you've heard this before. "Read their web site, Google them, blah, blah, blah ..." Yes, you need to do that, but everyone else is doing that too. You need inside information. How to find that?

Simple. Follow them. On Twitter. On LinkedIn. On Facebook.

You'll be amazed at the daily going-ons you learn through following people. Especially on Twitter. I've seen tweets that tell me about layoffs, job openings and job changes (which means their old job is open). The secret is to follow people who work there rather than the company itself. You'll get the real story that way.

Armed with that information, you can "luck in" to calling the hiring person just as they need someone. Amazing how timing can change their reaction to your call.

Get out there and follow, follow, follow.

By the way, to get you started: Kevin on Twitter, Kevin on LinkedIn.

Read "You Are The President Of Your Career"

2009-01-06T05:52:00.003-06:00

Here's a great post by Chris Brogan about taking charge of your career.

Here's a sample:

"Understand that just doing what you've been doing won't really work for more than a handful of months, because everything around you is changing. If you don't change, you'll fall behind."

Then he gives a simple prescription.

Give it a read.

Print-Only is Dead

2009-01-04T17:25:00.004-06:00

"I'm a print designer. I don't do interactive."

Sorry. Then you don't stand a chance of working here.

If you can only deliver print, your chances of getting the job drop – drastically. We're in a digital world. Our clients need digital solutions. And most of us older (over age 35) advertising folks are counting on you to help us deliver. If you can't, we move on to someone who can.

And in this incredibly tight market, you'll be left high and dry.

What to do? Upgrade your skills.

Learn programming, yes. But also make sure you have a good understanding of a variety of communication methods. How can you offer your clients the best solutions if you're not aware of the options available?

We all need to know digital communications. And for recent grads, it's simply the price of entry.

Print isn't dead. But print-only communicators are.

(By the way, my good friend Alistair Tutton lectured me for not being on Twitter. Now you can follow me here. Or, if you're LinkedIn, you can follow me here.)

Use the Holidays to Your Advantage

2008-12-23T13:31:00.002-06:00

I love the holiday season. Everyone is friendlier. Meetings are rare. There are fewer gatekeepers.

Huh?

Yes, fewer gatekeepers. That means your odds of reaching someone on the phone go up.

Many receptionists are on vacation, so people pitch in to grab the phones. And most of those people don't screen calls or know how to forward you directly to voicemail. So, as long as your person is in the office, you have a better chance of reaching them.

And to top it off, they're probably in a good mood. Most deadlines are past, so they're probably not under the gun. They may actually have time to talk to someone who's looking.

So give it a shot. You may actually get to talk to the person you've been trying to reach.

This is a limited time offer though. Once the new year starts, the previous state of affairs returns.

Happy holidays. And good luck.

Marketing Yourself

2008-12-12T10:15:00.002-06:00

Searching for a job is exactly that – marketing yourself.

So apply what you've learned about marketing/advertising to sell yourself as a job candidate.

Identify your audience // Who are you targeting? Ad agencies? Design firms? Publications? Decide who you are going after, so you can ...
Determine their needs // This will tell you what kinds of pieces to include in your portfolio. Also, it will help you determine which skills you have, so you can ...
Let them know What's In It For Me (them, not you) // They don't care what you've done as much as they care about what you can do for them. Don't just talk about you ("I learned Flash in school") talk about how that experience/skill benefits the interviewer's company ("With my Flash experience, I can create better interactive sites in a short amount of time"). Then you can ...
Make your call to action // Ask to set up an interview. Or see if you can drop off some samples. Then follow up. The worst they can do is say no. So why not ask?

Put your marketing abilities to work for your most important client. You.

(Also, here's a great post at talentzoo.com. You'll notice that much of the advice given to experienced professionals applies to you as well.)

It's All About Your Portfolio

2008-12-04T15:12:00.004-06:00

But, you know that already, don't you?

Unfortunately, most creatives view building their portfolio as another project – with a beginning and an end. "My portfolio is together, so now I can focus exclusively on my search."

Never stop working on your portfolio. Work on it constantly. Your goal is to knock your weakest piece out of your portfolio. And then do it again. And again. And again.

That makes it stronger. And increases you chances of landing a job.

First, look at your current work. Improve it. Have a great concept that's well-executed? Rework it until the execution is as great as the concept.
Second, look around for non-profits you believe in. Volunteer to design/write/shoot something for them. It will give you a professional piece (while improving your career karma).
Third, talk to your friends and family. Any of them starting or own a business? Volunteer to help them out creatively.
Lastly, just create. If you're a designer, find a well-known logo you hate and redesign it. If you're a writer, give a new voice to a stodgy company. You get the idea.

Most importantly, never stop working on pieces for your portfolio. Creatives live and die by our portfolios. Give yourself a fighting chance.

Worst Resume Mistake I've Witnessed

2008-11-12T13:42:00.003-06:00

Mistake I Witnessed // Post 2

"Dishonorable Discharge."

Right there. On the resume. What the ****?

Lesson // Don't list negative things about yourself on your resume. Your resume's job (and it's only job) is to get you an interview. It's not to serve as a history document. Or a confessional.

If there is something negative that will make a difference in getting the job, wait until after they interview you to share the information. Once they know you as a real person (and not just a piece of paper) they may be willing to hear your explanation and give you a chance.

Don't take yourself out of the running from the get-go.

Mistake Scale // Never Got in the Game

Worst Interview Mistake I've Witnessed

2008-11-04T15:10:00.005-06:00

I started this blog to help college students avoid the mistakes I made, as well as witnessed, during the job search process.

This week I'm beginning two regular features – "Mistake I Made" and "Mistake I Witnessed." I'll rate each mistake on a scale from "Career Implosion" to "Miraculously Got the Job." If you have any you'd like to share, I'll post the best ones.

Mistake I Witnessed // Post 1

Me: "If I were to talk to your best friend, what is the worst thing she would say about you?"

Finalist for Job: "That I can get out of control. One time, while at a bar, I was so drunk I tried to pick up an entire group of baseball players ..."

And she continued her story. And wouldn't stop. Oh God, she wouldn't stop.

Sadly, it got worse. Since this was a final interview, my boss was sitting in the interview as well. He tried to stop her (my ability to speak had been taken from me by her answer) and she talked over him to finish her story.

Every question, no matter how innocuous-sounding is about getting the measure of you as a person or employee. Never ... ever ... ever forget you are being interviewed. We try to put you at ease, make you comfortable, forget you are being interviewed, so we can get to know the real you. The finalist viewed us as buddies and let her guard down. Bad move. Last I heard, this talented designer was working in fast food.

Mistake Scale: Thank You, Please Drive Through

Maintaining Your Creative Edge During "The Search"

2008-10-22T14:46:00.005-05:00

Nothing sucks the creative life out of you like a job search.

A large part of creativity is having the confidence to experiment, think differently or just dive in. The search process can rob you of that confidence.

You have to make a conscious effort to be creative everyday. Even when you're tired. Or down. Or just plain beaten up.

If necessary, make an appointment with yourself everyday, even if it's only fifteen minutes, to be creative. And make sure it's creative for creative's sake. Allow yourself to enjoy the process. It will remind you why you want to go into the business.

Also, check out mikebrownspeaks for a daily dose of creative inspiration.

Good luck with your search. Let me know if you have any questions.

Turn Downtime to Your Advantage

2008-09-26T10:56:00.004-05:00

I've said it before—what a suck-ass job market. And it doesn't look like it's changing soon.

What to do? Well, you can either get upset, which gets you nowhere, or you can embrace the situation.

I know quite a few talented recent grads who are hitting the wall in their job search. They're all handling it differently, but one is handling it especially well. We'll call him Mike (since that's his name).

Mike is using his downtime to get actively involved in his local ad club. He volunteered to help on two major events for the club. His theme concept was even chosen to market one of the events. Talk about a nice piece to add to his portfolio. It's also an excellent way to get his work out in front of the very people who are in a position to hire him.

Sure, Mike is frustrated in his search. But he is placing himself in the best position to land a copywriting job in the near future.

He's expanding his portfolio with professional work.
He's meeting industry people who can hire him, pass on job openings, or act as a reference for him.
He's sharpening his skills while working with other talented people.
He's keeping his enthusiasm high.

You can either get down about the situation, or you can take positive steps to put yourself in the best position to get a job.

I vote for the second choice.

THE Question to Ask During an Interview

2008-09-03T07:15:00.002-05:00

You know the drill.

You arrive armed with a few questions to ask during the interview. They are evidence you've done your research and you're interested in working for that company specifically — not just any company. The questions show you're engaged, driven and serious about the opportunity in front of you.

And once in a while, a question you ask may be what gets you the job.

I heard one such question this weekend from my friend Melissa. She just started a new job and was telling me about her interview. She said something didn't seem quite right, so she asked them:

"What concerns do you have about me and my ability to do the job?"

What a great question – and one I recommend you ask.

It shows maturity and self-awareness.
It shows you are open to honest feedback (a trait in very short-supply).
But, most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to address what they deem to be your weaknesses. You can talk about the adjustments you would make or even address some false perceptions they may have about you. The question gives you a second opportunity to sell yourself. And that may be all you need to separate yourself from everyone else.

It's a simple question. But one that may open the door to you landing the job.

Increase Your Odds of Landing an Interview

2008-08-25T13:41:00.003-05:00

Want to increase your chances of obtaining an interview? Hand deliver your resume.

Items that arrive via delivery, rather than mail, are usually opened first. They're seen by the recipient as more important.
You can do a little reconnaissance. You'll get a sense of their environment while sneaking a peak at their dress code so you know what to wear if you're called for an interview (just don't judge them by what they wear on Fridays).
Also, it's a chance to make a good first impression on someone very important – the receptionist. He or she can make it easier to get through to people; or more difficult. Always, always, always treat the receptionist with respect.
Who knows? You may even bump into the person doing the hiring. If so, just say a quick hello, tell them the information is inside the envelope and let them know you'll follow up when it's more convenient for them. Respect their time and they'll respect you.

A little extra effort can make all the difference in landing that all-important interview.

Your Job Search is Never Over

2008-08-13T07:41:00.005-05:00

Whew...

"I finally landed a job. Now I can put all that stuff behind me. No more networking. No more working on my portfolio. No more nothin'."

Ummm, wrong.

Time to put together the pieces for your next search. I know, I know. You haven't even started your new job yet and I want you thinking about the next one? Yes.

Let's face it, all jobs end at some point. You always want to have your foundation in place so the next search doesn't have to start from zero.

Here's what I recommend:

Celebrate your job. You've earned it. Now ...
Continue to be involved in industry organizations. I ran into someone at an Ad Club event a few weeks ago. He was out of a job and was trying to reconnect with people. The last time I saw him was a year and a half ago at an Ad Club event when he was – you guessed it – looking for a job. Had he stayed involved he would have had strong relationships to call on instead of trying to create them when he needed them most.
Maintain your relationships (see again recommendation #2). If someone was helpful in your search, thank them. Let them know where you landed and give them your contact information. You may need them again in the future. Or they may let you know when they hear of the perfect opportunity for you.
Help others. Someone helped you, return the favor. Plus, you never know when you may need to call on them.
Collect your work. All of it. Whenever anything gets printed, grab a few samples for your portfolio. Keep a box or file you can throw samples in. Collect screen grabs of web sites and digital files of any broadcast work. You may not get a chance to collect samples later.
Expand your skills. Besides making you more valuable to your new company, they was also make you more marketable next time around.
Be a great employee and co-worker. Keep in mind that your new co-workers will be joining your network and may eventually be your future references. Give them lots of good things to say about you.

Congratulations and good luck. Your search hasn't ended. You just get to move to the next chapter.

A Little Known Fact About Interviews

2008-08-06T15:26:00.002-05:00

That scary person on the other side of the desk – he's pulling for you.

He may appear gruff. Or bored. Or even disgusted. But know this – he's hoping to God you are the perfect person for his team.

He doesn't conduct interviews for the shear pleasure of making you feel bad about your work. Frankly, he doesn't have the time to waste. He's interviewing you because something or someone made him think you might be the right fit.

Keep that in mind the next time you are interviewing.

If You Follow No Other Advice, Follow This

2008-07-28T13:00:00.004-05:00

I'm stepping aside for the master – David Lubars. No one has ever said this better.

Let me know your thoughts.

The ONE Thing That Matters Most on Your Resume

2008-07-20T16:20:00.003-05:00

Big surprise – experience matters most.

But don't panic. Experience is not limited to professional work or internships. Experience also includes involvement in campus organizations RELEVANT to the career you are pursuing. Creative directors want to see you took advantage of every opportunity afforded to you. Involvement shows passion, drive and commitment.

However, they also want to see that you were an active, long-term participant – preferably a leader. One semester of participation reeks of "I did it so I could put in on my resume."

Why should you care? Well, if I'm interviewing a person for an advertising position and see they were not part of their campus ad club or did not participate in campaigns class, I don't consider them. EVER.

Seem harsh? Maybe. But I'm looking for someone who is going to be "all in" when they join my team. If you half-assed your opportunities in college, I expect you'll do the same on the job. Plus, I have a load of people to choose from. I can afford to be picky about whom I choose to interview. Can you afford to be dropped from consideration?

A sad example: Last week I was talking to a student I work with all the time. She told me about a friend of hers (a journalism major) who is dropping off the university's All-American publication so she can pick up more hours at HyVee. Yes, HyVee.

That HyVee job won't get her the job she wants once she graduates (except with another grocery store). While a position as one of the editors of a nationally-recognized, award-winning publication will. She is choosing the short-term over the long-term. And even if she needs the money, she should stay involved. There's no place on resumes for lack-of-participation excuses.

So please, get involved with career-relevant organizations while in college. And go all out. Not only will it give you material for your resume, it will give you a chance to grow within the field – while also starting your network.

Otherwise, prepare for a very long and frustrating job search.

Networking: Who Knows You?

2008-07-10T12:24:00.006-05:00

My good friend George Weyrauch is constantly preaching "It's not who you know, but who knows you."

Over 60% of jobs are obtained through networking – and that number is even higher in the creative field. When it comes down to it, most people want to work with a known quantity.

Whenever I need to hire someone, the first thing I do is put the word out to people I trust. The basic question I ask is "Do you know someone I should be talking to for this position?"

And I get those kinds of phone calls/e-mails all the time. I've referred people I interviewed but didn't hire (they were very good, just didn't fit what I was after), students whose portfolios I reviewed, former co-workers and people I met through the KC Ad Club.

Get yourself in front of people. Join organizations like the local ad club, AIGA or other creative organizations. Volunteer to be on a committee – or two – or three. Go to all the events you can. Introduce yourself to people.

Just don't push your resume on people (big turnoff). Make sure they know who you are and what you do. Be visible. Be known.

Ask for business cards and then follow up quickly. Send them an e-mail telling them it was nice to meet them. Ask if they know anyone you should be talking to. You're MUCH more like to get through to the hiring person if you can say "So-and-so gave me your name and said I should talk to you about your opening."

You can find good advice on networking here and here.

Remember, it's about who knows you.

Say Thank You or Lose an Important Contact

2008-07-07T15:19:00.002-05:00

"Thank you."

So simple. Yet so often overlooked.

And you'll be overlooked if you don't take the time to thank the people who help you.

I've had people whom I've never met (or don't know well) contact me for advice. I spend time reviewing their resume or portfolio samples, answering questions, whatever and then don't hear from them again. That is, until they need something else from me.

Needless to say, they get nothing else from me.

Please keep in mind that things as simple as reviewing resumes, looking over samples or answering your questions take time out of somebody's busy day. They don't owe you anything, so they're doing it to be helpful. At the very least, say thank you. Want to go a step further? Tell them when and where you land a job.

The benefit? I remember those who thank me. I especially remember those who keep me up-to-date on their progress and where they land. Those people receive my help in the future. I may even consider those people when I have a job opening.

How do you think my intern got his position with me?

Thanks for reading.

The Written Word – Your First Impression

2008-06-25T16:17:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I received a self promo piece from a designer. It, sadly, included the following sentence:

"Time for trying to get the work done while your staff memebers take much needed breaks."

"Memebers?" Really? It was a horrible sentence to begin with, but to also misspell members?

I'm sure most people did what I did upon reading the line – promptly trashed the mailer.

Avoid the wastebasket. Carefully write and proof your cover letter, resume, e-mail correspondence and thank you note. And for God's sake, run spell check. It would have caught "memebers." Let's face it, if you're careless on something important to you, should I expect you to do any better on client work? No. You move straight to the reject pile.

I'm not asking for beautiful prose (unless you're a copywriter), just mistake-free text.

I know this advice seems obvious, or at least it should. Unfortunately I see way too many mistakes like the above and people don't realize how quickly and completely it can kill their chances for a job. And the poor guy in our example mass-mailed his piece. He turned off loads of potential employers with just one mistake.

ONE mistake.

The Power of Persistence

2008-06-18T10:26:00.002-05:00

Wow. What a suck-ass job market. Especially for entry-level creatives.

The advertising field (which also strongly affects design and publishing) is a leading indicator of a worsening economy. Short-sighted companies cut their advertising budgets first – and increase them last. That, of course, has a huge effect on agency staffing.

Usually I have trouble keeping up with all my job-changing friends. But lately I don't know of anyone changing jobs. And I know of fewer places adding jobs. That's bad news for recent graduates.

Now that I've brought you down, let me share a secret weapon with you: persistence.

You need to keep at it. Your job search is your full-time job. I'm talking eight (or more) hours a day. Your day should include:

researching – find out who's picking up new business
networking – that includes classmates who graduated before you
interviewing – set up informational interviews
events – attend industry events, introduce yourself to people
volunteering – get involved in the local industry organization
pro bono work – a great way to get new work for your portfolio, professional references and contacts
creating new work – keep making work for your portfolio, make it stronger
finetuning – your resume and your portfolio

And you have to stick with it. Keep in mind, your competition is going through the same thing. Sometimes the person who gets the job is the one that outlasts everyone else (watch any competition reality show to confirm).

The Industry Take on Millennials

2008-06-10T08:02:00.002-05:00

"Don't trust anyone over 30."

During the 60s and 70s this was viewed as a universal truth by baby boomers. Then, of course, they hit 30 (long, long ago). Now the saying seems to be "Don't trust anyone UNDER 30."

You can't read anything about so-called millennials without reading how they're pampered and unprepared for real life. That may be true in some cases – but that was also true for many in my generation (Gen-X) and all the proceeding generations.

So it's nice to read an industry article that isn't putting down millennials, but talking about how to work with them. Check it out. It will give you a feel for how the smarter agencies will approach you – and how to pick out the dumber agencies.

Career Blog for Photographers

2008-06-09T10:41:00.002-05:00

Hey photographers: my good friend (and photographer extraordinaire) Alistair Tutton has started his own blog aimed at giving career advice to aspiring photographers. Check it out.

The Dangers of MySpace et al

2008-06-08T18:51:00.005-05:00

True story: A student working at a coveted internship sent her supervisor a link to her MySpace page. The supervisor proceeded to read an entry about how the student liked getting stoned during her lunch breaks at the company – and even named the company.

Fortunately for the student, she didn't send the link until her last day – so it was too late to fire her. Unfortunately for the student, she can NEVER use the internship on her resume. (But then I know this person – she just may be foolish to do it anyway.)

While this an extreme case, be careful about what you put out there on MySpace, Facebook, etc. Photos of you drunk or showing your ass, talking about hangovers and all that other stuff that seems funny in college can come back to haunt you big time during your job search.

There is so much information out there on people that most employers will at the very least Google you. Many will go beyond that and try to view your social networking pages. And if they really want to see it, they'll find a way to view it.

So clean up all that information out there on you. The sooner the better. Don't miss out on a job because of a stupid photo or comment that you meant just for your friends, but were naive enough to put out there for anyone to see.

If you put it on the internet, it's fair game.

Homework Assignment

2008-06-04T10:36:00.002-05:00

Check out this advertising blog by Sam Meers. And then bookmark it.

'nuff said.

Focus on Where the Job Will Take You

2008-06-03T11:42:00.002-05:00

Some people focus on salary. Some on perks. Others on titles.

Your focus should be squarely on "where will this job take me?"

Dead-end jobs distract you with things like a nice salary, or great benefits or perks. But that's what they are –distractions.

When considering a job, think about the job after that. And the one after that. Will this job lead you where you want to go? Or does it take you down the wrong path? Let's face it, once you start down a path it's always easier to get another job somewhere along that same path.

That is, unless you're willing to start over. And why do that? Especially when you can start by going the right direction the first time.

Watch Out for This Interview Trick

2008-05-23T13:24:00.002-05:00

The trick – Interviewer turns the interview into what appears to be a casual conversation.

Why this trick is used – To get to know the real you. Everyone shows up for an interview on their best behavior. You know the answers I'm after ("My greatest weakness? I'm a perfectionist."). You know to sit up straight, look me in the eye and answer my questions succinctly. I'm trying to throw you off. I don't want interview-you. I want real-you.

Why this trick works – You reveal more about yourself than intended.

Why this is dangerous – See previous answer.

Remember, no matter how comfortable you are with that person, or how casual they seem in their questioning, they are sizing you up. Comparing you to others. Determining if they can spend 8-10 hours a day working with you. Never, ever, ever let your guard down.

I'm not telling you to be fake. I'm telling you to be professional – and in control of how you are representing yourself.

Because I may be all smiles and jokes, but I'm still evaluating you for a job.

Resume Writing Tips

2008-05-16T10:55:00.002-05:00

Your resume has one job and one job only – to get you an interview. You will be judged in less than 30 seconds, so make sure your resume is top-notch.

Make your resume visually appealing, but easy to read.
Make it relevant. If it doesn't apply to the job/career you're interested in, leave it out. Your part-time job at McDonald's will not get you a job in the creative field.
Use a direct, active writing style. Begin sentences with action verbs.
Write with short phrases rather than complete sentences. If you can say it in five words, don't use 20.
Tell the truth. Trust me, it's so easy to check up on things that any lie/half-lie/exaggeration will be caught.
Watch for errors in spelling and punctuation. Have at least one other person proofread.
Keep the employer in mind. Ask yourself "Would I interview this person?" If the answer is no or maybe, keep working.

Your resume is the first impression someone will have of you. Make it strong.

Creating a Portfolio When You have No Samples

2008-05-02T14:30:00.003-05:00

"I'm graduating in a few weeks. I decided four months ago that I want to be an advertising copywriter and I've only taken one marketing class. I have initiative and ideas, but my portfolio is severely lacking because of the short amount of time I've been interested in this. In a few months I'll be moving to Chicago and hitting the pavement hard; what would you recommend about a portfolio?"

Find a way to show your abilities – even though you don't have the education or training of your competitors. Creative directors hire talent over training every time. The best art director I know has a divinity degree.

Lock yourself in a room and start creating ads – print, radio and TV. If you have a designer friend, team up and create ads for both of your portfolios. Make creating ads your full-time job.

Showing up without samples only leads to the shortest interview of your life.

Come in with around a dozen pieces. You'll need that much to show you have the ability to do the job. Creative directors are not going to take your word for it that you can create advertising. They need some proof.

And be patient. You've gone about this the hard way. Set up informational interviews and get your portfolio critiqued. Then go back, fix what needs to be fixed. And do it again. And again. And again.

Remember, you're asking someone to take a very big chance on you. They're going to have to teach you what you didn't learn in college. You have to possess some serious talent – and drive – to overcome that obstacle.

Your Homework Assignment

2008-04-18T15:55:00.002-05:00

Homework? Yes. It's for your own good – well your career's good. You'll thank me.

Read: Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by creative sage Luke Sullivan.

Listen: American Copywriter. Educational, entertaining and a good example of the kind of people you need to work with.

Subscribe: CMYK Magazine. A magazine featuring student creative work and articles on starting your career.

Ignore: College career counselors. Every damn thing I tell someone to remove from their resume was recommended by a career counselor. They make you add a bunch of irrelevant crap to your resume that just gets in the way of what creative directors are after.

There are your assignments. Now get to it.

Know Who, or What, You Are

2008-04-13T19:57:00.003-05:00

"I can be a designer. Or a writer. Or I'd even be willing to start as an account executive."

"Thank you. We'll let you know."

You know you're not going to hear back from them, right? At least nothing more than the we'll-keep-your-resume-on-file letter.

Given the choice between hiring someone who is passionate about being a designer (or writer) and someone who is willing to be a designer (or writer), who do you think the creative director is going to hire? We want someone who can't even imagine doing anything else.

Don't get me wrong, we're after someone well-rounded. When I graduated, I was a designer who worked as a photographer and did a bit of writing. But design was my passion. I knew what I wanted. But I also brought extra skills to the table.

Be focused, but well-rounded. Know what you want to do, while still dabbling in everything you can. Be a person who is passionate about what you do, but don't limit yourself to one interest.

Contradictory? Maybe. But it's what we want. It's what will get you the job.

Never Stop Looking

2008-04-11T15:19:00.002-05:00

"Man, I nailed that interview. The job is mine. I don't need to keep applying for jobs."

Not only wrong, but #*$%ing wrong.

While on the job hunt never, ever and I mean EVER halt the process while waiting to hear from that job you just know you're going to get.

It could be held up for budget reasons, unrelated business reasons, a change in the position requirements, or, believe it or not, because they found someone who is a better fit for the job. And while you wait, your job search takes a big step backwards.

The killer is, you may miss out on applying for the job that could have been yours.

Never allow yourself to kick back to wait for that sure offer. Because there is no such thing.

Do not stop the process until you've signed an offer letter and started your job.

Time to Start Looking

2008-02-25T19:50:00.004-06:00

Graduation is around the corner. "When should I start applying for a job?"

Now.

But first things first. You're not applying for a job (you apply at McDonalds), you're searching for a job. And it's a process. So the proper question is "How do I start my job search?"

Research. Get to know the industry. Find out who is doing the kind of work you want to do. Learn about their areas of expertise, their competitors and where they are headed. Start this as early as possible.

Network. Find ways to meet people in the industry. Go to industry events. Talk to speakers afterwards. Keep in contact with friends who have graduated and are in the industry (the most overlooked contacts). Do this throughout your schooling.

Informational Interviews. Once you make contacts, see if you can set up informational interviews. It doesn't need to be with the owner or creative director. It can be with anyone who can give you insight into their company, the industry and the job market. Plus, if you make a good impression, you've just created an ally within that company.

And now to the part of the process that most people focus on:

Asking to be Considered for a Position. Most creative shops are always looking for people -- even when they're not hiring. The good creative directors are always looking for their next hires before they need them. That's why it's never too early to start. You want to get on their radar so that when a position opens, they think of you. OR, if you're really good, they'll consider adding the position before they need it (so they don't miss out on the right person).

Something to keep in mind: if you're applying for a job you saw online, that means they have an immediate opening and want to fill it as fast as they can. They're not likely to wait for three months for you to graduate. Interview anyway. They may have another opening by the time you're ready and you could be at the top of the list.

Keep in mind, you are beginning a process. Start as early as you can.

The Job Search Basic Five

2008-02-04T21:00:00.000-06:00

This weekend I ran into Angie, a student at UMKC who heard me speak earlier in the week. She thanked me for the advice I had given. When I asked what helped the most, she simply answered "the basics."

Seems a good place to start. When starting your job search, these are the five essentials:

A Portfolio That Shows Off Your Skills. Your portfolio should consist of 12-15 of your best pieces. Keep in mind, I'm going to judge you by the worst piece in there. After all, nothing else you've ever done is as good – or it would be in there instead. Also, mix up the pieces. Don't show all the ads, then all the logos, etc. Keep the reviewer interested.

A Relevant Resume. I never hired anyone because they worked at Wal-mart while in college. And I damn sure never hired anyone because they were the rush chair for their sorority. Only cover the relevant, such as ad club, the school paper, internships, related jobs, even your ad campaigns class. Those things tell me about you as a creative. If you make me wade through the other crap, I may not see the things that matter to me.

Take Care of the Details. If you don't take care with your own resume and portfolio, what's to make me think you'll take care with my clients? Details matter. Details win or lose the job. Take care of them – spelling, production of your samples, the right name (and spelling) on the cover letter. Don't lose your dream job because you didn't take a few minutes to read everything over one last time.

Professionalism. If you come off as a student (by your dress, answers or demeanor) I'm not going to hire you. You need to come across as a professional. Dress right for the interview. Be prepared. Be polite. Be humble. Send a thank you note immediately after the interview. Act like a professional and I'll see you that way.

Make Me Remember You. If I don't remember you, I won't hire you. Do or show something that makes you stand out. We're interviewing lots of people and, I hate to admit it, sometimes people start to blend together. Be memorable.

There's your basic five needs. We'll address each of them in more detail.

Welcome to springboard501

2008-01-26T20:53:00.000-06:00

(knock. knock.)

"Excuse me. Are you the talented graphic designer Kevin Fullerton? You are? Great. I'm here to offer you a job."

"Thank you. I'll take it."

Sadly, when I graduated college I believed this was how things would play out. After a few months sans job, I came to an eye-opening conclusion: I didn't have a damn clue what I was doing.

Why wasn't I getting any interest from the "real world?" I received a great education, lots of hands-on experience and even won several national awards. Surely people would line up to hire me.

Problem one: no one knew I existed.

Problem two: my portfolio was all wrong (even though it contained good material).

Problem three: I was looking in the wrong places.

Problems four through 164: well, let's just say everything I did.

Eventually I started doing things right (quite by accident I assure you). I got my first job – and have changed jobs several times since.

For the last several years, I've been on the other side of the desk. The hiring side. And I'm absolutely amazed that in the (number deleted to protect author's ego) years I've been working in the profession, there has been little progress made in helping students make that jump into the career world.

That's why I created this blog. I want to help college students who are interested in the creative fields (advertising, graphic design, publishing) get a jumpstart on their job search.

I figure you can learn from my mistakes (and there are plenty) and the mistakes I've witnessed while hiring creatives.

Have questions? Please feel free to e-mail me. I'll do my best to answer them on this blog.

Also, check out the links on the right. You'll find them helpful. Know of more I should add? Please send them my way.

And check back often.

Good luck with your search.