Dealing with a tough market
How do you get through a downturn if you’re out of work or a freelancer? Well, there are a few basic things that apply to everyone in this situation. Here are a few of them…
CV
Look at your CV and ask yourself if it is pleasing to the eye and does it represent you to the best of your ability. If you have any doubts then invest time on it.
Many people underestimate the importance of a well structured and thought through CV. Make sure that you have all the important achievements down without answering too many questions. Be factual and make sure that it is tailored to the particular type of role you are going for. Avoid having an extremely long CV – ideally it should only be 2 pages – and be sure that the first page has impact. Please don’t put your picture on the front cover – it can really turn people off.
Click this link for more advice on CV writing.
Portfolio is king
If you’re a designer or creative of any description, then your portfolio has to be of the highest standard. If you haven’t got all your best work in it, make sure you go and track it down. If you’re a web designer then your own site is essential. Often sites change, so the examples of work you did may no longer be online. Click this link for more advice on your portfolio .
Interview
Be yourself and don’t try to play the interview game. It is all about connecting with people and if you try to be something you are not it will backfire in the long run. However, you will need to have done your homework so that you know all about the company and the sort of work they do. Click this link for more interview information .
Keep positive
During a difficult period, changing markets and negative press make it is easy to become defeatist . If you start out with a negative attitude it will lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
So keep focused and determined, and remember there is always work out there and nothing ever stays the same. Just make sure you keep positive and don’t allow yourself to be affected by negative news and knock-backs, which will ultimately lower your confidence. Though this is a difficult thing to do it is essential, otherwise it will hinder your chances. When you have knock-backs don’t take them personally. Leave them behind and keep focused on the path ahead.
Time to think
As simple as this is, we often forget to actually give ourselves time to think in the right environment, as there is so much going on.
Set aside time to think about the problems ahead of you and where you want to go. We all need mind space. Create a plan.
Have a plan
Create a clear plan of where you want to be, how you are going to get there and what you are going to do.
Set yourself goals and targets to achieve, and keep to them. If you have a clear vision of where you want to be, it makes it so much easier to achieve and will keep you focused. Everyone (just like a company) should have a 1 year, 3 year and 5 year plan. Once you have a plan it makes it so much easier to work effectively but make sure you keep reviewing it, as things change quickly
Focus on the constructive
Focus on what you can do to make the situation better. Always ask yourself, is this taking me down the right path to my goal or is it just filling the time?
During a downturn it is far too easy to focus on the things you want to do, rather than the right things to do.
Good time management is even more important during a downturn, as often we need to be proactive, rather than reactive. It is very easy to spend time on things that we want to work on, rather than the things that we should work on. The upshot is to ask yourself – is this going to get me work, make me money or achieve my goal?
Add value, know your audience
Work out what you stand for, what you do and make sure that message gets across.
Look at what else you can do to add to your experience and skill base. If you focus on a particular skill then make sure that you carry on training and expanding your knowledge. Ideally in a difficult market look to gain new skills as companies move away from very specific requirements to looking for people with a wider skill base. The competition in a downturn market can be extremely high so make sure you differentiate yourself from the rest.
Relationships
Focus on developing and strengthening existing relationships.
Networking and building relationships are key to developing potential work opportunities. During an up market, complacency can set in. It’s not until the market starts to slow that people start to truly realise the importance of relationships. Look to develop as many new contacts as possible.
Attitude
Many people looking for work don’t help themselves by being arrogant or self-important.
What goes around comes around, so if you have a chip on your shoulder now is the time to get rid of it. Fitting into a team has always been important for the recruitment proces, but it becomes even more important in a downturn market. Be as flexible as possible.
Costs
Work out your true value and costs so that you can calculate what you charge or what you need. Work out what you really need and don’t overprice yourself.
The market has changed. Over the past few years your rates or salary may have increased dramatically. This will not continue and if you want the work then you will need to reconsider what you are looking for. This is particularly true of the digital market.
Workstation
During a slower market there are always opportunities out there. At Workstation we have been recruiting for the creative and digital markets since 1989. So we have been through changing markets before. If you’re looking for a new role or want to take someone on to help guide you through this period then please drop us an email.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: tips
Don’t just tell them…show them!
You could be as brilliant as Einstein but if you don’t create a great first impression then you may find yourself behind in the game!
Here at Workstation, we believe in showing people how good we are, not merely telling them. And, in turn, we give the same advice to everyone who walks though our doors.
We have stumbled on a little ‘course’ which might help you to sell yourself better than you had imagined. It focuses on the Marketing industry but there are some great general tips in here! Why not have a look?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: first impression, marketing yourself, tips, Workstation
Free Flex Camp this Thursday!
Academy Class is currently offering a Flex Camp on the 28th August, which is a community-run event for everyone interested in Adobe Flex! And, we thought that, with your background in new media, this could be beneficial to you.
Flex Camp London 08 is a FREE! Whether you’re just getting started with Flex or you’re an expert, Flex Camp aims to provide something for you.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: Conway Hall, digital, flex, flex camp, flex developer, new media
Brand Guardian needed!
A Brand Guardian position has opened up in an outstanding marketing and comms agency in London.
Working within a quirky but efficient team, this role could be your stepping stone to some innovative marketing projects!
Are you their guardian angel?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: brand guardian, editing, marketing, proofreading
Did you know that here at Workstation we offer late night testing?
We started offering this extra service because we realised that getting to interviews and testings is hard to juggle with work. So, we thought that if someone couldn’t come in during the day then we would work around their needs.
If you can only make late interviews or testing after work then give us a shout on 020 7371 7161 or visit our website for further details.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: creative, design, digital, interviews, late, marketing, recruitment
Midweight Designer
We have a great role on at the moment for a Midweight Designer who is looking to escape to the countryside!
A truly talented agency where you can join a small team, enjoy the peace of the country and still make the money.
If you’re keen to work on a variety of projects with a chilled, ‘down to earth’ team then have a look at this Midweight Designer role on our site.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: agency, creative, design, midweight designer, recruitment
Ruby on Rails Developer!
Do you know Ruby on Rails like you know your travel route – like the back of your hand?
An urgent requirement has come in for 2 senior Ruby on Rails developers to start ASAP with a fully serviced digital agency in SW London.
The contract is likely to run until the end of September.
You’ll need proven Ruby on Rails experience with additional skills in;
› PhotoBucket
› Memcached
› and possibly Amazon S3
If you know your Ruby on Rails from your Ruby Murrays, then this developer job you have been waiting for!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: developer, digital agency, london, ruby on rails
Freelancers Urgently Needed
Here at Workstation we have a wide variety of freelance roles that need to be filled as of yesterday!
If you happen to be looking for freelance work in either the digital industry or with the more traditional medias, then why not browse through our freelance positions?
We are always looking for outstanding creatives!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: creative, design, digital media, freelance, work
Production Manager!
A blossoming and forward thinking advertising agency is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Production Manager to join its highly successful creative team.
Competing against the ‘Goliaths’ of the advertising world, this ‘David’ offers a genuine creative excellence and media expertise to all their clients.
As Production Manager you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of print and press production and ‘quality control’ needs to be your middle name. One of your roles will be preparing press and print production schedules, timing plans and estimating. You’ll be involved intimately in both the creative and media aspects of the advertising process.
If you’re keen to have the responsibility of overseeing art buying, print buying, building relationships with suppliers as well as maintaining existing ones, then this could be your dream job.
So if you’re flexible, proactive and willing to turn your hand to anything then send your CV to us now.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: advertising, agency, creative, design, manager, media, print, production
Prepress Controller
If you are looking for a job that enables you to be the perfectionist that you are at heart, then why not go for a Prepress Controller? That is, if you have the knack for it…
We are working on a role that would suit someone with a great eye for detail and a real hands on approach! The question is, ‘Are you the owner of a safe pair of hands?’.
An innovative and trend-setting marketing specialist seeks a Prepress Controller to replace a crucial link in their production chain. This role requires a methodical Prepress Technician to ensure quality control is optimum, whilst creating print ready artwork and delivering this to the printers in a timely fashion.
You’ll need:
› Hands on knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and QuarkXPress.
› Previous experience working in a Prepress or Production position.
› Experience working with packaging elements would be an advantage but not essential.
This company works with some seriously impressive brands, so they are looking for someone who wants a career, not just a job!
Does this sound like your kind of challenge? If so, then get in touch!
For more information click here.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: adobe, artwork, design, packaging, prepress controller, production, technical
creative jobs in London- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
