SPP3! Useful link from shaun :)

Thanks to an email sent round from interactive media I checked out the link it suggested and im glad i did! Here it is again for all of you to check out incase you didnt:


http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/17/group-interview-advice-for-students-and-new-designers/


It offered advice from REAL professionals as to what to do during and after studying at university to make yourself more desirible to future employees.



The most helpful sections in the interview for where i am right now in terms of promoting myself successfully to potential employers was:




What job search advice do you have for recent graduates?

• Networking - not so much you look desperate!
• Portfolio work - quality as well as quantity!!!!
• Job boards/sites/sending out CVs
• Forming relationships
• Get Tweeting

What should new designers consider when deciding between working for an agency and freelancing?


(most useful for me was the acency pros and cons so thats all im putting here!)


Agency pros:

• Working for an agency after your studies can be great for gaining experience in how the industry
• works and how projects are managed from start to finish.
• At an agency, you work with like-minded colleagues, who you can learn from and develop with.
• Large agencies often attract big corporations and established brands.
• A full-time job guarantees you a monthly wage and set working hours.

Agency cons:

• You might get stuck working on projects that you don’t find interesting or might have to work on something you don’t agree with.
• Agencies sometimes have strict policies, rules and guidelines. For instance, browsing the Web, checking Facebook or tweeting might get you a slap on the wrist.
• Agencies work during the usual 9:00 to 5:00 business hours, so you will have to as well.

Key aspects of angency work are, LEARNING, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE.

How can students and young designers make themselves more valuable to potential employers?

• Portfolio
• Be concise!
• Dont exagerate!
• Interdisciplinary - highlight multiple disiplines
• Social skills - being an easy person to get on with and a team player
• Asking questions - if your interested in the company they will be more interested in you!

What are some of the best ways for new designers to find clients?

• Portfolios on galleries/sites = jobs = referals!
• Blogging
• Networking & Twitter
• Promote your self in a multi-faceted way
• Friends & Family

What networking tips do you have for young designers?

• Get into the design community
• Start networking now!
• Contact professionals and ask advice
• Business cards
• Quality of contacts not number!

Ok well Im happy to know I am infact already doing alot of these so hopefully I am on my way to employment!