It’s that time again…

Well having a very busy start of the year, we have finally got time to sort out some graduate placements, so I best get clearing that calender!

Having seen many graduates, as well as helping out at the Portfolio Surgeries for the DNA Event, you start to see the same issues cropping up, so I am adding my little nugget of advice for placement and graduate interviewees…

It may not help for some, but I am sure it will help for some others….

• If you are sending your work / emails to multiple agencies be sure to tailor each one to the correct person – I have had emails for a Laurel / Laura / Lisa, unfortunately they go straight in the bin, I know this may sound harsh and mistakes are easily made, but if this is for a placement of first job then we need to see that care and attention to detail will be used from the start!
• Make sure you choose the best work for your portfolio, there have been instances where I have been given a sketchbook filled with writing! That is personal development of your brief, your finished work should speak for itself and if you need to explain more into it, you can do that whilst discussing your project.
• Do not put every single project that you have ever done whilst at Uni and every single personal project in there to fill it out. Make sure the projects cover off what you want to shout about yourself, ie layout / typography etc these can be uni projects or personal projects. I would say about 6-8 projects is a great amount to show off your work.
• My main issue during interviews, is people talking into their books. The main thing to remember is, not only are we looking at your work and your design skills, but we are also looking to see what type of person you are, agency life is very different to the ’9 – 5 norm’, so we like to see what type of person you are as well!
• Finally, try not to be nervous, I promise you we don’t bite, are nice people and are also keen to see your work!

Although this is not specifically about design, David Trott’s How To Get Your First Job in Advertising has been passed down as a GEM of advice from our Creative Director so have a read through!

So with that… Good luck to all you graduates and students looking for placements, I know it is a tough industry to get into, but a very rewarding one when you get there!