Going back to work after a job loss, change, or just getting out of school

Written by Siotha on March 15, 2008 – 5:25 pm -

Now what?

At xTrain, we know what it’s like to find a job in today’s market. We we green around the collars when the .com bust happened. Being aspiring artist, my husband and I were hit hard.

So here are some tips that I have for you….

There’s plenty of resources out there for job hunting… For example, monster.com, careerbuilder, hotjobs.com etc. But then there are specialty groups online that are either consulting firms or geared to local art jobs, for us we use the Dallas Society of Visual Communications… http://www.dsvc.org this has local job listings that are usually paid listings that the person who’s hiring recognizes these guys have the best network for local talent.

But did you know you could find jobs on Myspace & Linked in?

Be warey of any job that requires money up front. A head hunter may, but usually if your go with aplacement agency that’s legit they will have a client that will pay it on top of your salary.

What about your portfolio? Is it really the best of the best or is it real peices you’ve managed, and produced. This is where I’m torn. I can design good, bad and crap all day long. But what I recommend is a half & half portfolio. One that showcases work you’ve done for clients, friends, family, anything that went public – even pro bono. Then the other half showcases what you can do! What styles of art you are into and great at. But just like your resume your portfolio should be insync with the work you are applying for. If you’re applying for a direct mail coupon company you should emphasize some practical coupons. (You can find just about any agency’s customer list online or by calling and being nosey).

What about your Resume?

Many people don’t understand the elements of a resume. Well let me tell you, If it aint’ perfect, don’t call me. Is my hiring mentality. The slightest mistake, grammatical, mispelling or sloppy design style…. You won’t even get a call back from me. If you can’t market your self how can you work with my Expensive clients? Get your friends, family, and best english person to review your resume before hitting send. There are many key elements that won’t change when you are writing elements.

But besure you don’t just blast your resume out there. You must desire the job – in other words, your resume must look like your the top candidate for the job whether you have experience or not Research what a good candidate (key word resumes with similar postiions, you’ll find em). Then Make some. Explain your strengths, and overlook any weaknesses (don’t tell them you’re not perfect, they can smell it on your resume, and spit on your portfolio if you even bring up weakness until they corner you about it. ) Some times leaving off the fact that you know MS OFFICE en lew of explaining that you managed spreadsheets in one of your job history descriptions is more communicative than not.

Digital Submission of Resumes – to LARGE companies.

Let’s face the reality. They take your resume, dump it into a database, then when they have an opening, they “search” by keywords just like you do on the internet. If you believe you have pertinate skills that a company might like be sure to add on the VERY last section of your resume, pertinate keywords. This way you have a chance when you are applying with a big company that want’s quark experience, even though you’ve only worked with it once in school and use only indesign at work. Get what I’m saying?

Now GO! Find a JOB! And if you don’t find one, make one… And remember you basic curtousy. Follow up with a hand written thank you note!


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