When you walk into a design agency you can spot the freelancers straight away. They have nice clothes, expensive shoes, sun-kissed skin and, most distinctively, a beaming grin. They're the ones offering to make the tea, constantly chatting small-talk throughout the day - eager to get to know everyone and eager to be liked. They are upbeat and everyone loves them. They are unbearable.
Having done freelancing for a very small amount of time, I know its drawbacks all too well. In total I freelanced for 6 months, but if you follow my blog you'll see I was unemployed and penniless for 2 and a half of those months, so whilst I was drowning in my overdraft and my overwhelming self-doubt, I found it hard to enjoy it.
But as freelancers chat away about their holidays, time off, lazing around, it is hard not to get envious of them - especially when you know they are paid way more than you are, and taxed significantly less. (But there are two types of freelancers: ones who freelance because they can, and others, because they have to. I was the latter, but I tend to see this as underemployed and awaiting a permanent role, rather than working freelance.)
At our agency we have a regular flow of freelancers. This works out well for us to cover both holidays, sickness and to always have a fresh pair of eyes on a project, especially one you are sick of the sight of. However, we often find they always get the good jobs. Good jobs can take many forms, but for me it's a design for a product I like, or can relate to - something that will not only function - but has the budget to be beautiful. I like to make things look good and I am always jealous when a freelancer gets to do it.
After working now for a few months in one place, which is unusual for me, I have also become envious that freelancers have no sense of office politics. They don't know the history of the office, who hates who, and which clients and projects are unbearable. They don't live in the same world of dread as the rest of us. They don't have a least favourite artworker, designer or project manager to work with - they have no worries and no fears. They work knowing that if it is unbearable, at least it will end.
But -- and this is a big one. I don't envy freelancers because of the sense of stability I get from my job - (at least until my probation review) - the fear of not getting any work was too much for me. I hated the constant struggle to find work, to be hassled by recruitment agencies with work I wasn't suitable for, or constantly disappointed by work they didn't 'win' me. It is important to note, though, that I was freelancing as a junior, and it is hard for agencies to find work for a junior, and their commission is much less too - so they don't really put their heart into it. Freelancing after 5+ years experience in the industry, with a few contacts in place, would be a doddle, so I look forward to trying that out when the time is right.
What attracted me to a job in graphic design was its flexibility. I wanted to be able to work from home and work flexibly to allow me to travel, have a family - do everything I want to do. Whilst part of me doesn't envy the horrors of freelancing, I do see it more of a future goal. So when I'm sick of office politics, miniscule pay rises and obligatory Christmas parties, I'll know what to do.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Dress Like You Mean It
When you do find the one; that agency you admire, look up to and want to be a part of it is important then to be certain you are giving all the right signals, when on placement. Make sure that they know that you are looking for a job and that you aren't just placement surfing: going along for the ride. For me, I think people started taking me seriously when I started wearing the right things.
Every agency is different with what they do and do not consider work attire, but I'd say smart casual is the norm. Looking at graduates now I do notice a certain scruffiness. Sure, there isn't much of a budget for new clothing, I appreciate that, but low riding jeans and tattered old trainers make you like like a student and not a graduate.
It was particularly important for me because I look much younger than I am. I tried smarter clothes like blazers and smarter jeans, proper work shoes and tidy hair. Separating yourself from other graduates is important and if you look like you are serious about getting a job, they will take you seriously too.
One of my friends suggested if I wanted a job I should wear trendier clothes. I think he is wrong: you should never try and be something you are not, and if they didn't want to hire me because of my dress sense, then I didn't want to work there, anyway. But what I am saying is not a question of fashion but of portrayal of your self and the right attitude, whilst fitting in to the adult world. You are a grown up now, looking for a grown up job - now dress like you mean it.
Every agency is different with what they do and do not consider work attire, but I'd say smart casual is the norm. Looking at graduates now I do notice a certain scruffiness. Sure, there isn't much of a budget for new clothing, I appreciate that, but low riding jeans and tattered old trainers make you like like a student and not a graduate.
It was particularly important for me because I look much younger than I am. I tried smarter clothes like blazers and smarter jeans, proper work shoes and tidy hair. Separating yourself from other graduates is important and if you look like you are serious about getting a job, they will take you seriously too.
One of my friends suggested if I wanted a job I should wear trendier clothes. I think he is wrong: you should never try and be something you are not, and if they didn't want to hire me because of my dress sense, then I didn't want to work there, anyway. But what I am saying is not a question of fashion but of portrayal of your self and the right attitude, whilst fitting in to the adult world. You are a grown up now, looking for a grown up job - now dress like you mean it.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
The Enemy of Complacency
Getting a design job is tough - many people will be able to say they worked hard to get their first job. Essentially, it is tough because you have to balance three things: work, life (you know the fun bit where you go out, see your friends) and looking for work. But being on placement often means you are too exhausted to look for work - especially if you are holding down a weekend job as well. Seeing friends, shopping trips and cinema excursions become a thing of the past as you try to sleep and eat amongst all the work, homework, sending emails and getting ready for interviews. It is unsurprising then, that many graduates leave looking for work for later and enjoy their weekends and evenings instead.
Whilst I don't blame any hard working graduate that choses to prioritise their life over their future, my choice was made simple by one key factor: I didn't have any money. I was, as many graduates are, using my ever-expanding student overdraft as a buoy. I was keeping afloat working a 6 day week, living in a awful area, in an awful (but cheap) house, living off frozen food, and prepacked lunches. I spent most of my free time looking for work because I had this constant pressure of having to pay the rent. I knew my parents couldn't save me and failing to get a job before I hit the bottom of my overdraft would win me a one-way ticket home. This was my chance - my only chance and I was not going to let London beat me, and I couldn't let myself, or my family down.
I was never complacent and settled in a placement and I think this is key, too. If you become accustomed to life in a placement which is seemingly going well, but they aren't paying you (or not paying you enough), you could feel pressure to stay especially knowing you don't have anything else lined up. It is important in this case to plan ahead - Line placements up - know that you can stay afloat a little bit longer.
I know graduates that complain that they are not doing so well to succeed, but I have noticed that they aren't putting in enough effort. As with any job, the harder you work the better the results, and this counts for looking for work, too. You have to arrange the interviews to get the placement, and that placement is one step closer to you getting a job. It is not about the amount of placements or the length but about the amount of experience you will have gained by the end - but at the same time, you need to stay afloat financially and keep your eyes open for job opportunities. Don't let a placement get in the way of the job offer. Similarly, the job will not come to you - you have to go and find it.
I went to every placement assuming that it was a dead end. Whilst I have been criticised by my peers for my negativity and pessimism, I think it helped me engage future job opportunities through constant emailing and attending interviews - I was never complacent. If you are enjoying your placement: perfect - If they are paying you: even better -- but if you aren't learning anything it is time to move on - stop sitting on your laurels and get that job!
Whilst I don't blame any hard working graduate that choses to prioritise their life over their future, my choice was made simple by one key factor: I didn't have any money. I was, as many graduates are, using my ever-expanding student overdraft as a buoy. I was keeping afloat working a 6 day week, living in a awful area, in an awful (but cheap) house, living off frozen food, and prepacked lunches. I spent most of my free time looking for work because I had this constant pressure of having to pay the rent. I knew my parents couldn't save me and failing to get a job before I hit the bottom of my overdraft would win me a one-way ticket home. This was my chance - my only chance and I was not going to let London beat me, and I couldn't let myself, or my family down.
I was never complacent and settled in a placement and I think this is key, too. If you become accustomed to life in a placement which is seemingly going well, but they aren't paying you (or not paying you enough), you could feel pressure to stay especially knowing you don't have anything else lined up. It is important in this case to plan ahead - Line placements up - know that you can stay afloat a little bit longer.
I know graduates that complain that they are not doing so well to succeed, but I have noticed that they aren't putting in enough effort. As with any job, the harder you work the better the results, and this counts for looking for work, too. You have to arrange the interviews to get the placement, and that placement is one step closer to you getting a job. It is not about the amount of placements or the length but about the amount of experience you will have gained by the end - but at the same time, you need to stay afloat financially and keep your eyes open for job opportunities. Don't let a placement get in the way of the job offer. Similarly, the job will not come to you - you have to go and find it.
I went to every placement assuming that it was a dead end. Whilst I have been criticised by my peers for my negativity and pessimism, I think it helped me engage future job opportunities through constant emailing and attending interviews - I was never complacent. If you are enjoying your placement: perfect - If they are paying you: even better -- but if you aren't learning anything it is time to move on - stop sitting on your laurels and get that job!
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Endless Small Talk
Looking back at my placement experience, I have realised one simple thing. The one thing I hated about it is the thing I am most grateful for; endless small talk.
Having several months experience at a placement is fine, especially if they offer you a job. Sometimes it does feel like those that do get the jobs initially are those that stuck around long enough to either prove themselves and/or for a job to become available. Often these jobs are offered as some sort of guilt-relief after months of no pay. (At one agency - mentioning no names....I worked with a girl who after 6 months working as an unpaid runner for the receptionist, was offered a junior designer role for a £12,000 salary). But if an agency aren't paying; you can't really afford to stick around.
My experience however, was varied and exhaustive. I felt like I went everywhere I could go and had enough interview experience to equip me for life. If you remember one of my first posts, "First Days" I talk about the endless chain of placements, interviews, emails, rejection replies and cv sending I endured. I hated meeting new people every 4 weeks at best. I am a fairly quiet person, who it takes a while to get to know - you may say shy, but I'd prefer introverted... I hated interviews with people who hadn't even got any work for me - they'd browse over my portfolio to break up their day. I hated small talk, new passwords, new filing systems, new toilets, new kitchens, new routes to work. I hated the unsettled nature of it and if someone asked me to stay somewhere; I probably would have. I yearned for a longer stay - I yearned to feel settled. But the reality was, this was a rarity. (I like to think this was a legal thing, rather than a 'me' thing - companies have to pay you minimum wage after you "intern" for 4 weeks - but then again many agencies ignore this rule)
I always thought that lots of short placements made my CV look bad - but now I feel I am better for it. I am grateful that, having rarely worked at an agency for more than a 4 week period, I forced myself to meet new people. I have made a few friends along the way too. Endless interviews meant that I became extremely confident in presenting my work and got to know what was expected of me. I have also found that I am happy where I am because it was my favourite placement - and getting to know what you want from your career - eg. what type of design or design agency you want to work for is one of the most important things to get out of a placement - so having exhausted all the avenues I wanted to, I knew that decision I made in the end was the right one.
Plus, the design industry is a small one - so you will often meet all these people again. They move on and get new roles in other companies, and they could be your key into your next role - so the more people you know, the better. So put up with the small talk..
Having several months experience at a placement is fine, especially if they offer you a job. Sometimes it does feel like those that do get the jobs initially are those that stuck around long enough to either prove themselves and/or for a job to become available. Often these jobs are offered as some sort of guilt-relief after months of no pay. (At one agency - mentioning no names....I worked with a girl who after 6 months working as an unpaid runner for the receptionist, was offered a junior designer role for a £12,000 salary). But if an agency aren't paying; you can't really afford to stick around.
My experience however, was varied and exhaustive. I felt like I went everywhere I could go and had enough interview experience to equip me for life. If you remember one of my first posts, "First Days" I talk about the endless chain of placements, interviews, emails, rejection replies and cv sending I endured. I hated meeting new people every 4 weeks at best. I am a fairly quiet person, who it takes a while to get to know - you may say shy, but I'd prefer introverted... I hated interviews with people who hadn't even got any work for me - they'd browse over my portfolio to break up their day. I hated small talk, new passwords, new filing systems, new toilets, new kitchens, new routes to work. I hated the unsettled nature of it and if someone asked me to stay somewhere; I probably would have. I yearned for a longer stay - I yearned to feel settled. But the reality was, this was a rarity. (I like to think this was a legal thing, rather than a 'me' thing - companies have to pay you minimum wage after you "intern" for 4 weeks - but then again many agencies ignore this rule)
I always thought that lots of short placements made my CV look bad - but now I feel I am better for it. I am grateful that, having rarely worked at an agency for more than a 4 week period, I forced myself to meet new people. I have made a few friends along the way too. Endless interviews meant that I became extremely confident in presenting my work and got to know what was expected of me. I have also found that I am happy where I am because it was my favourite placement - and getting to know what you want from your career - eg. what type of design or design agency you want to work for is one of the most important things to get out of a placement - so having exhausted all the avenues I wanted to, I knew that decision I made in the end was the right one.
Plus, the design industry is a small one - so you will often meet all these people again. They move on and get new roles in other companies, and they could be your key into your next role - so the more people you know, the better. So put up with the small talk..
Sunday, 23 December 2012
No Other Way
Settling into my new junior role nicely, I have really enjoyed letting my various contacts know of my success. In reply to a feeble (and imminently fruitless) offer of employment from a recruitment agent, I really have reveled in the fact I can tell them "I'm alright, thanks" - and that I didn't need their help because I did it all myself... na na nana na. This is an incredible feeling.
Feeling settled and mostly secure, I have felt I can offer advice (and some of my secrets) to a friend just starting out on the placement scene. As a late starter, I feel that she does need my help in knowing where to/not to go and how it is etc. I would direct her to this site, but she knows me so well, I'd be spotted for sure. I have divulged secrets and contacts, with her, I never would have done before.
Previously, contacts were my only profit from doing internships; they are what I worked hard for. I worked for someone for next to nothing in order to be able to call them up and ask for a job later on. I have refused flatly to many friends/fellow graduates to give away important email addresses. I would really be kicking myself if they got a job before I did and I had helped them achieve it. I had to put number 1 first. But she is a very close friend, and I am feeling more secure where I am working and so it seems only right I should give her a helping hand.
Whilst listening to her woes over coffee, (I paid; she's working for free) I had an epiphany. A moment of clarity; of realisation - placements can be awful, long and tedious and often completely pointless, but now sat on my junior role pedastool - I realise; I could not have got this job any other way.
Recruitment agents seemed interested and keen, but gave up quickly and rarely found me anything at all, let alone anything suitable. Trawling through popular blogs and national newspapers led me to apply for jobs willy nilly, knowing thousands more suitable candidates would have applied, my sparse cv piled in amongst theirs. Freelance work was good and often enjoyable, but for every few weeks work I gained, I endured months of unemployment (which is not good for anyone's psyche).
My job was given to me without much fuss. I had come to this particular agency and worked hard. I had got along with them and somehow impressed them with my attitude and my work ethic, along with small evidence of my creative talent/style. I came back and did it all again a few months later. When it came to them needing a junior, I was remembered; simple as that. No trawling through job boards, no cover letter, no cv, no stressful interview with a scrutinising creative director and awkward, scary questions. Placement = job. Simple.
It couldn't have happened any other way, for me at least. But it's hard to believe this when you are 7 months into doing pointless placements and rarely enjoying yourself. That was placement 7 (ish) and the truth is it could have been any placement, really. I could have done that placement at any time and would have had a similar result. It is timing.
My advice to her was simple. It might take what seems like forever, and it will be hard, but hang in there, because one day someone will notice you and someone will remember you - and when the timing is right, you'll see that there was no other way it could have happened, and there is no where else you would want it to have happened. It is, without wanting to sound too philosophical, like finding which puzzle your piece fits in to. You have to open a few boxes, but eventually, you'll get there.
Feeling settled and mostly secure, I have felt I can offer advice (and some of my secrets) to a friend just starting out on the placement scene. As a late starter, I feel that she does need my help in knowing where to/not to go and how it is etc. I would direct her to this site, but she knows me so well, I'd be spotted for sure. I have divulged secrets and contacts, with her, I never would have done before.
Previously, contacts were my only profit from doing internships; they are what I worked hard for. I worked for someone for next to nothing in order to be able to call them up and ask for a job later on. I have refused flatly to many friends/fellow graduates to give away important email addresses. I would really be kicking myself if they got a job before I did and I had helped them achieve it. I had to put number 1 first. But she is a very close friend, and I am feeling more secure where I am working and so it seems only right I should give her a helping hand.
Whilst listening to her woes over coffee, (I paid; she's working for free) I had an epiphany. A moment of clarity; of realisation - placements can be awful, long and tedious and often completely pointless, but now sat on my junior role pedastool - I realise; I could not have got this job any other way.
Recruitment agents seemed interested and keen, but gave up quickly and rarely found me anything at all, let alone anything suitable. Trawling through popular blogs and national newspapers led me to apply for jobs willy nilly, knowing thousands more suitable candidates would have applied, my sparse cv piled in amongst theirs. Freelance work was good and often enjoyable, but for every few weeks work I gained, I endured months of unemployment (which is not good for anyone's psyche).
My job was given to me without much fuss. I had come to this particular agency and worked hard. I had got along with them and somehow impressed them with my attitude and my work ethic, along with small evidence of my creative talent/style. I came back and did it all again a few months later. When it came to them needing a junior, I was remembered; simple as that. No trawling through job boards, no cover letter, no cv, no stressful interview with a scrutinising creative director and awkward, scary questions. Placement = job. Simple.
It couldn't have happened any other way, for me at least. But it's hard to believe this when you are 7 months into doing pointless placements and rarely enjoying yourself. That was placement 7 (ish) and the truth is it could have been any placement, really. I could have done that placement at any time and would have had a similar result. It is timing.
My advice to her was simple. It might take what seems like forever, and it will be hard, but hang in there, because one day someone will notice you and someone will remember you - and when the timing is right, you'll see that there was no other way it could have happened, and there is no where else you would want it to have happened. It is, without wanting to sound too philosophical, like finding which puzzle your piece fits in to. You have to open a few boxes, but eventually, you'll get there.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Big News
Similarly to my last post - I too have experienced an anti-climax in relation to my first job.
I went home to visit my family, with the biggest and happiest news I could give. I rehearsed how I would surprise them. I would tell them with a smile spanned across my face, as their expectant faces filled with joy and relief. Finally, what I have worked so hard for; what I have struggled for so long for has happened. I now have a proper job. They will embrace me with pride.
The reality was dissappointing and their reaction completely unexpected. I don't even think I got a "well-done". It has been so long that I think they already thought I had a job. I have been working, that much is true and freelance has been going well. But a permanent role is different. I felt like the boy that cried wolf and that I had been craving this attention, this congratulatory fan-fare but it was lost.
Ah well. I can still pat myself on the back and get myself a few drinks in to celebrate - or atleast at the end of the trial period.
WOOOOOO.
I went home to visit my family, with the biggest and happiest news I could give. I rehearsed how I would surprise them. I would tell them with a smile spanned across my face, as their expectant faces filled with joy and relief. Finally, what I have worked so hard for; what I have struggled for so long for has happened. I now have a proper job. They will embrace me with pride.
The reality was dissappointing and their reaction completely unexpected. I don't even think I got a "well-done". It has been so long that I think they already thought I had a job. I have been working, that much is true and freelance has been going well. But a permanent role is different. I felt like the boy that cried wolf and that I had been craving this attention, this congratulatory fan-fare but it was lost.
Ah well. I can still pat myself on the back and get myself a few drinks in to celebrate - or atleast at the end of the trial period.
WOOOOOO.
Sunday, 18 November 2012
First Job
With a year of struggling to live on £100 a week in endless, dead-end placements - exhausted from working in excess of 40 hours, with a weekend job or bar work on the side - to be offered a permanent junior role with a decent salary is the ultimate achievement. The sense of relief and exasperation in your first proper wage packet is uncomparable. All your hard work has paid off. The expectation is that signing that contract is like the beginning of a beautiful marriage between you and your job (your first proper job!) - it should be the happiest day of your life - and not a decision to be taken lightly.
A friend recently confessed to me her regret at signing the contract for her permanent position. Having worked there several months beforehand, she knew what she was getting - with long hours, and backache from being hunched over a computer without a lunch break, she worked hard to maintain the full-time role; to convince the directors that she wanted the job. Having proved her worth and happily accepting the role, she settled into the permanent position to find the workload and hours have only got worse, and with no hope of it getting better, she's considering leaving. The honeymoon period is over. With her eyes on the prize, she had lost sight of what really mattered; that she was happy.
This regret can be avoided if you only take a job you are happy in and look forward to doing. A job that excites you and that has you skipping to the train station and into work every morning. A first full-time role should be carefully selected. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work in a variety of different places during my year on placement, to allow me to be sure of what I want to do and who I want to work for.
In doing a placement or a trial period for a full-time job, it is a time for the company make sure you are right for the job; but also for you to make sure that they are right for you. Ideally you should be in your first job long enough to warrant a level promotion, or a much higher salary at the next and so it is important to want to stay there and make all the hard work pay off. I went to University and struggled to become a graphic designer because it is important to me to do a job that I enjoy; I want to work somewhere that I love. If the job isn't up to scratch; you can find another. Don't make my friend's mistake and don't be tempted by the money alone. After all, it is not the money that is going to drag you into work everyday and keep a smile on your face.
A friend recently confessed to me her regret at signing the contract for her permanent position. Having worked there several months beforehand, she knew what she was getting - with long hours, and backache from being hunched over a computer without a lunch break, she worked hard to maintain the full-time role; to convince the directors that she wanted the job. Having proved her worth and happily accepting the role, she settled into the permanent position to find the workload and hours have only got worse, and with no hope of it getting better, she's considering leaving. The honeymoon period is over. With her eyes on the prize, she had lost sight of what really mattered; that she was happy.
This regret can be avoided if you only take a job you are happy in and look forward to doing. A job that excites you and that has you skipping to the train station and into work every morning. A first full-time role should be carefully selected. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work in a variety of different places during my year on placement, to allow me to be sure of what I want to do and who I want to work for.
In doing a placement or a trial period for a full-time job, it is a time for the company make sure you are right for the job; but also for you to make sure that they are right for you. Ideally you should be in your first job long enough to warrant a level promotion, or a much higher salary at the next and so it is important to want to stay there and make all the hard work pay off. I went to University and struggled to become a graphic designer because it is important to me to do a job that I enjoy; I want to work somewhere that I love. If the job isn't up to scratch; you can find another. Don't make my friend's mistake and don't be tempted by the money alone. After all, it is not the money that is going to drag you into work everyday and keep a smile on your face.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)