job search for creatives
Topics: Getting Experience | Job Search Prep: Interviewing, Resumes, Portfolio, Salary, Plan | Recommended Resources | Making Connections |Checking Out Careers | Legal Stuff | Upcoming Events
Some of the traditional job search methods apply to students entering the creative industry and some of them do not. This page gathers together tools, tips and resources to help you be successful in your job search.
Getting Experience
In the creative field, like many others, it is really important to get experience so that you can start establishing contacts and build up your body of work. There are lots of ways to get that experience:
Freelance -- a project that uses your creative skills that you do independently for cash and experience. Be sure you draw up a brief contract so you understand the employers expectations and to protect yourself.
Part-time work -- less than 35 hours a week. Paid. Not for credit. The student employment office often posts on and off campus jobs on their site. http://www.rit.edu/emcs/seo/
Volunteer /Pro bono work (clubs, organizations, etc) Some companies or non-profit organizations hope to get a student to work on an unpaid project for them. If you are really looking to get the foot in the door of an organization within an industry that does not typically pay (EX: broadcasting, motion pictures, advertising, galleries) this may be a smart option.
Cooperative Education -- many of you have an option to take advantage of co-op. It is not required and typically you are limited to working over the summer because of the way your classes are sequenced. There are some exceptions for example, New Media Design student Jr year and I.D. students have some flexibility. Check with your academic advisor.
Co-op Overview
Integrates study & work experience
Full-time, paid and related to your major
10 weeks in length
Optional for art & design & crafts students
Eligible after sophomore year. 2.5 GPA minimum.
Summer quarter typically -- some exceptions, check with your academic advisor.
No tuition – you do not pay tuition for it to appear on your transcript. No credit hours, pass/fail.
SIS registration with course # through your academic dept.
Report your job to Office of Co-op and Career Services through the student page of our site.
Evaluation of your work sent to your employer by Office of Co-op and Career Services during the quarter you work for them
Work-related issues can be addressed with help from Office of Co-op and Career Services
Co-op Quick Start Guide
-- an overview of RIT's co-op program and addresses typical questions.
Internships
Related Experience
Unpaid or paid, full-time or part-time
Some of you have a formal option in your program, or it's something you might do on your own
Sometimes for college credit (in which case you pay tuition for academic credits, minimum of 9 hours/week, use as elective or studio credit (only good idea if you need credits). Handled by academic department – preapproved by dept chair or academic advisor.
Work Abroad
Your contact, in our office, responsible for developing our Work Abroad program is Maria Richart mjroce@rit.edu -- if you have any questions about working overseas she would be happy to assist you!
Job Search Prep
[Interviewing | Resume Writing | Portfolio Preparation | Letters to Employers | Salary Info | Job Search Plan]
Interviewing
Intro to Interviewing (including Types of Interviews, Questions to Ask During an Interview and more!)
Mock Interviews -- Practice interviewing through speed-dating events (i.e.RAF), RIT Career Services Mock Interview program, one-on-ones with your Career Services program coordinator, online through tools like Interviewstream (access through the student portal page of our site).
Resume Writing
Resume Samples (includes all creative majors, include a C. V. example, teaching example, functional example)
Portfolios
Here is a link to our information about developing your portfolio.
Portfolio Reviews -- attend Creativity: Careers in Motion in the spring and have industry people give you feedback, take advantage of the Rochester Advertising Federation student portfolio reviews, meet with faculty. Here is a great presentation put together by Professor Adam Smith with tips and tools: "Work+Process+Description" https://creativity.cias.rit.edu/presentation.pdf
Articles:
- Preparing Content for an Online Portfolio
By Eric Miller, About.com
http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/buildingaportfolio/ss/web_portfolio.htm?nl=1
- Create ePortfolios with the Amazing Acrobat 9 -- http://blogs.adobe.com/educationleaders/2008/06/eportfolios_with_acrobat_9.html
Portfolio Resources:
- http://cargocollective.com -- a web publishing and community-building platform
- http://SlideShowPro.net -- for professional slideshows
- WordPress Templates -- use a blog tool to create an online portfolio
- http://cias.rit.edu/request ; http:people.rit.edu Host your site at RIT as a student
- Adobe Acrobat's ePortfolio
- Your hosting company may provide templates, galleries
-
Sortfolio: Web designers-- Get listed. Add your company to the directory. Upload images of your best designs. Attract clients and win business. Free. http://sortfolio.com/
Letters to Employers
Cover Letters and Thank You Notes
Salary Info
RIT grouped data -- co-op and graduating students
Salary Negotiation and Evaluating Job Offers Info
Recommended Sites: Salary.com, AIGA/Aquent Design Salary Survey
Job Search Plan of Attack
Unfortunately, there isn't one method or approach that you should use to find a job. Variety is key -- just like in a good diet.Intro to Job Search Strategies
Flip through our latest Job Search Guide includes to following Topics:
Qualities Desired in New College Graduates, Job Search Correspondence and Sample Letters, E-mail Correspondence, Social Networking Websites, Letters of Recommendation, Employment Interviews, Analyzing Your Potential Employer, How Candidates Are Evaluated, Job Offers and Acceptances, Dealing With Rejection in the Job Search, Network Your Way to a Job, Don't Forget the Small Companies and more!
Researching Companies -- develop a list of places you want to work and get your resume into their hands. Remember most jobs are not advertised.
Don't overlook the federal government as a source of jobs
Listen to this podcast for some great tips -- Lunar engineers discuss the attributes job candidates should present when applying for any kind of creative career opportunity.
Recommended Resources
[Job Leads | Employment Agencies | Artist Resources | Feeds & Blogs]
Recommended sites or books related to Job Leads, Associations, Artist Resources and Job Search Advice have been gathered for you by your program coordinators in the RIT Office of Co-op and Career Services. Here is the List of Sites and Online Resources we think you should really pay attention to.
We also subscribe to a number of valuable sites which are sources of company information, industry trends, ability to practice interviewing via a web cam (and more of course). See our Web-based Tools and Resource List.
It is important that you are tuned into what is going on in the field you are interested in. One way to to do that is by subscribing to feeds or reading blogs.
FEEDS & BLOGS & PODCASTS
| Design Blogs: | Technology & Social Media Blogs: |
AIGA Upstate NY Blog |
Mashable |
| Feeds: | |
[Web Design] [Marketing] [General Job Search] |
|
| Podcasts: | |
| Lunar engineers discuss the attributes job candidates should present when applying for any kind of creative career opportunity. |
BOOKS
Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market
Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market
Graphic Artist Guild Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (ok, sometimes you need to take a break)
Making Connections
RIT's Career Mentor Program pairs students with alumni and Friends of RIT in your field for advice, insight and motivation on your career and job search
NETWORKING
LinkedIn is probably one of the most important networking sites you can join! Want to know more about a company -- use the search feature. (Quite a few RIT groups exist).
Alumni Online Community Search for alumni by name, major, company and more. Many profiles have email links so it is easy to start making those contacts.
Checking Out Careers
Not sure what you want to do? "Try on" a career by immersing yourself in in it:
1. Look at job postings
2. Subscribe to blogs and feeds (see Resources above as a good starting point)
3. Seek out people in that field -- tap into RIT alumni, professionals doing what you want to do
4. Visit association pages
Career Overviews here are some pieces we put together about different majors at RIT:
Industrial Design, Interior Design, Glass, Graphic Design, Metals/Jewelry, Woodworking
Recommended Sites: Incredible@rt.org http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/jobs/artjobs.html, The Riley Guide http://www.rileyguide.com/arts.html
Contract Information/Legal Issues
Protect yourself and your work by becoming knowledgeable.
Graphic Arts Guild for Pricing and Ethical Guidelines is a great resource for sample contacts, etc
AIGA -- Standard Agreement
Here are a few examples of agreements:
The Graphic Artist Guild's Contract Monitor-about reading and writing contracts...
The AIGA's Standard Form of Agreement for Design Services...
Events
Check out the schedule of workshops, info sessions, speakers and more!
RIT "Creativity: Careers in Motion" is held every spring. Speakers and Panelists, Industry Days, Portfolio Reviews. A portfolio site is set up each year to help promote student work.
The RAF (Rochester Advertising Federation) usually offers a Portfolio Review Night and other programs for students. Visit their Events page.
We sponsor two major fairs each year, fall quarter and spring quarter. They are open to all RIT majors and all levels of employment (co-op, full-time).