It's competitive, the creative industry. They tell you that right from the off at uni, so I always studied with the thought at the back of my mind, that I might not make it. Which is sad really.
There were well over 80-something people on my Graphic Design degree... and that was just the year I was in! How to feel like a tiny fish in a big pond
! Times that by god knows how many institutions and you've got yourself a hell of a lot of graduates to compete with. Every. Single. Year.
Ouch.
So how to stand out in a big crowd?
It obviously goes without saying that design wise, your portfolio should be up to scratch and all that creative stuff...maybe even have a clever stand out CV...but there's one thing I did, which I can 100% attribute to landing that first job, and it certainly wasn't anything fancy.
The thing I've noticed, is that job ads can be incredibly demanding, and some can definitely make you feel like you're not good enough.
"Only those with a stand out portfolio need apply" has definitely been seen on more than one ad by myself. How to make someone feel inadequate!
And is it just me, or are the skill requirements that are listed, so long that they could easily be 2 or 3 different people's job descriptions? So here's the one thing that I did, that helped me to land my very first all important design job... I applied anyway. That's it. I made the leap and believed in myself. I sent it anyway. I didn't have skills in web design as well as print. But I sent it anyway. I didn't have 3 years experience. (On
an entry level job - who even has that?!) But I sent it anyway. I couldn't even put in the full time hours at that point as I still had a month to go on my course. But I sent it anyway. Because, at the end of the day, what's the worst thing that can happen? You don't hear back. APPLY FOR THE JOB / PROMOTION / THING! It's sad, but I know so many people, who a couple of months after graduating, just gave up. Gave up on their dream. You have to throw your hat into the ring to be considered for something, and you never know who else is up against you. That impossible job description list... it's just a wish list. Nothing more. There may not even be someone who fulfils every single tick box on that sheet. I was – and still am – passionate enou
gh about being a designer that I put myself out there, despite the odds. And I feel passionate that other people do the same, not just in design, but in their chosen spheres and business ventures. You know you're great at what you do, so get out there and do it! And if you need a helping hand getting that passion across in your own business, I can help that to shine through too through the marketing materials that you share
www.emmajaynecreative.co.uk