Portfolio- Looking for a job- Questions!!!

[el capitan]

I will be done school soon (2 months) and am now searching for work...Of course I have to graduate into a recession (just my luck) -- and finding a job is gonna be hard, and finding the right job even harder...

I have put together a resume that I think is pretty decent, but I want to create a digital portfolio of some of my work...I have different files (ranging from InDesign files to word docs) that I would like to compile on a disk to hand out with my resume...

Has anyone else here done this? I would like to have a decent presentation of my work, ideally something like an iDVD project format...except that iDVD doesnt support pdf's or .docs (which i will have to use to show my InDesign stuff) does a program that will do something like this even exist?

How important is presentation to a potential employer? How do you send a resume unsolicited without looking like a tool? HELP!!!

I hope that there are some HR type folks or folks with experience in these matters cause I dont have a fucking clue!

[Swaco]

At the moment, I do not have any answers for your questions.

Just wanted to say congratulations on your pending graduation!

[Lepus]

How important is presentation to a potential employer? How do you send a resume unsolicited without looking like a tool? HELP!!!

I hope that there are some HR type folks or folks with experience in these matters cause I dont have a fucking clue!

I have no idea on how to create the presentation you want but I think it is a good idea provided it isn't too long. The people looking through your resume don't have a lot of time. Maybe consider an online portfolio, either something like this http://www.personavita.com/Home.aspx or create a web page. Then you avoid problems with people not being able to open your disk, or not wanting to bother to pop it into their machine.

The presentation can set you apart from other applicants and show initiative, enthusiasm, etc. that might set you above people with more experience.

As for sending an unsolicited resume, it is done all the time. Just send a proper cover letter. Examples of general inquiry cover letters can be found all over online. Just be sure to customize a template thoroughly.

Don't you have a career services center on campus? They should be able to help you with all these questions. Your advisor should help as well and is probably a good resource for information regarding the DVD.

And congrats!

[Lepus]

Oh, and do some calling around to find out to whom you should send the unsolicited resume.

Or google searches.

[Ayn]

Congrats, el cap! So excited for you!

If possible, make some calls and get a name to use as referral along with your resume. It always sounds better to be able to say "so and so over in accounting suggested I send you my resume..." or "when I spoke with so and so the other day, she said she thought I'd make a great fit at XYZ Company and I couldn't agree more!" Then on the outside of the submission you can write "REQUESTED/REFERRED MATERIAL" so it actually gets opened by (hopefully) the right person.

If you're emailing anything, write the referral right in the subject line to make sure you stand out and get seen. Ex: Referred by Cutie Joan, El Cap's Resume

That's my two cents. It got me seen and signed by one of the top agents in the world.

GOOD LUCK! I'll still help you find that apartment in Venice/LA/Santa Monica/Studio City, etc when you accept the big position out here.

[tanowicki]

Didn't you intern recently? Could you ask the person hiring there what they look for and what would be an immediate no-getter (i.e. glitter in the envelope?)

And yes, when I used to open and organize resumes that came in, we got one with glitter in the envelope - it was more like sprinkles in the shape of stars. If you never want to be hired, do that. Also, spell the name of the company wrong.

[food_geek]

How important is presentation to a potential employer? How do you send a resume unsolicited without looking like a tool? HELP!!!

I think the more information you can provide to a potential employer, the better. I like Lep's idea of a website better than a disk, because, oddly enough, any extra effort required on the part of the hiring person will only hurt you. That disk will sit in its case on the corner of their desk for months. But a website included as part of your contact info on your resume and addressed/discussed in your covering letter is a great idea.

If your plan is to email the cover letter/resume, find out who the hiring manager is and send it to that person. Resumes that go to HR just sit in a pile until there is a position open. Most people who get jobs don't end up filling a position that has been created or posted. There is often a need for a position, but rarely an actual position, if that makes sense. If the right person comes along, the hiring manager will create the job for them. HR never will. At least this has been my experience.

If you do email your resume, follow up in 2 days. Never more than a week. People get a LOT of unsolicited email and may see yours as a blanket email sent to many potential employers. By following up, the recipient knows that you actually want to work for THEM. Also - research. Tell the person why you want to work for their organization. You don't need to be flattering, just straightforward. And sell yourself. Don't underestimate the value of being a mature student. This will set you apart from other students with little or no life experience. Even if work the you've done before isn't relevant to this job, it demonstrates achievement and a maturity that a 21 year-old may not have. Also, say why you went back to school and chose THIS programme.

You probably know all this stuff. But sending an unsolicited resume doesn't make you look like a tool so you shouldn't feel like one. Most people are overworked and would love to get some help if they are able. And sometimes the best resume a person can get is from a recent graduate. Unfortunately, it's because they don't need to pay you as much as someone with experience and, frankly, it's so they can unload a bunch of their shit work onto you. But if you're okay with paying your dues for a while, once you've got your foot in the door and can demonstrate your value to the organization, you won't stay there for long.

Good luck! And keep us posted.

[tanowicki]

Also, say why you went back to school and chose THIS programme.


Your Canadian is showing.

[food_geek]

*sigh*

Even el cap called me on "programme" one day...

I blame her stint in the US.

[craphound]

Hhrrrmm. Welll graphic designers usually make an online portfolio. You won't run out of CDs and you can give people the link on the fly. But if you want a cd type thing, I'd make it all using HTML.

Also, we usually have a print portfolio in addition to the digital one. That way there is no problem with formats, and it's instant. Add to that, some graphic designers create a "leave behind" which is sort of a mini portfolio which showcases the very best work in a format that is not too expensive to reproduce so that it can be mailed/left with people.

Anyway, for digital portfolios, I've mainly seen InDesign/Illustrator/whatever projects saved/exported out as optimized jpg files for instant and easy viewing on a screen, with shots of the best/most relevant pages if it's multi-page. More rarely, there might be a link to the PDF. All set into a web site.

Good luck, don't give into the recession!

[samthor]

to do the presentation you can either make a screen cap from the print programs or scan the actual printed versions back in to your computer. From there you can take those files into PhotoShop and save them as whatever you need for iDVD.
I've done the slide show presentations that way with iMovie.
But a good looking and well working website will deffo be a better way to present yourself.

As far as searching for a job, sending in resume packets has NEVER worked for me. I signed up for hundreds of job search services and portfolio placement services over the years and my return has been "fuck all".
Any graphic design/ web design job i have gotten i got through networking and word of mouth. You have to get out there, meet people, listen to them; and if you can help them in any way with your skills mention it... as a friend. its all about who you know.

[Lepus]

If you send a paper resume, be sure to spray it with a hint of perfume.

[craphound]

and use the pink paper. With the sparklies.

[EcoCrafty]

OooooOO and use this font:

http://tinyurl.com/c5oeey

[el capitan]

i used comic sans, it felt more serious.



yes im kidding.

[samthor]

i have a job for you...but it blows.




get it ? get it? see what i did there....? ha.

[Noodletic]

^^ you are cracking me up :laugh:

el cap, congrats on the upcoming graduation! i wish i had advice on finding something, but i just don't. i just haven't had too many jobs. i am pretty sure glitter makes everything better, but since you are already using comic sans you should be good to go :wink2:

good luck!!!!

[el capitan]

i have a job for you...but it blows.




get it ? get it? see what i did there....? ha.


does it pay? are there benefits? :wink2: