Creative Niche Inc.

Creative Niche Inc.

http://www.creativeniche.ca/

110 Spadina Avenue, Suite 604

Toronto, ON M5V 2K4

T | 416.360.3893 x237

F | 416. 360.0137

Stephen Hodges, President
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Adele Wootton, Client Services Director
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Adele Wootton (Director, Client Service) and Stephen Modges (President) have came in today to speak about how to find a good paying job after graduation in the art/design industry today.

They both have over 20 years of design industry experience, causing great feedback as to what they expect from future resumes, portfolios and employees, in general.

Statistics:

Salary has not changed for over 25 years:

-Intermediate Designers: 55, 000 approx.

-Senior Designers: 75, 000 approx.

* Note: This wage has not changed for over 25 years. They are in the process of posting statistics about this and questions related to when will this change and how.

Job Recommendations:

Obvious jobs:

-Production artist

-Graphic designer

-Art Director

Less obvious:

-Content manager

-Project manager

-Studio manager

-Production manager

Not obvious:

-SEO/SEM

-U/X Designer Specialist

-Online community manager

*Note: Keep an eye on the latest job occupations and descriptions because they are the next big trends. Plus, applying for these less obvious and not obvious jobs creates a higher advantage of receiving an occupation within that specific field.

*Note:  Both Adele and Stephen recommend recent graduates to apply for freelance job opportunities. This is because it is very competitive for recent graduates to receive a job in the agency world. When having freelance work experience, there is a higher chance of receiving a future agency job opportunity because you have accomplished a good business-minded portfolio and experience doing freelance.

Resume Feedback:

1. When applying for a job, carefully read the job description and ask yourself whether you fit the jobs needs and qualifications; if not, then there is no need of you applying. 

2. Always keep your resume up to date with all recent job occupations, skills, needs and goals. However, do not focus on ie. 2 day jobs; it is irrelevant to put on your resume.

3. PAR: Stress on problem, action and result to identify you being a problem solver.

4. Be specific with your past positions: ie. Updated 5 websites on daily bases for the client’s needs – instead of – ie. Updated websites.

5. Design of your Resume: Should be 81/2 by 11 for easy printing access.  Some companies prefer a .doc in contrast to a pdf, therefore, it shows whether the company is conservative/traditional or creative. Pdf resumes should be more creative and represent you as an artist, in contrast to a .doc.

6. Be more commercial/business minded than creative. Speak about the marketing/business strategy behind it, the process as to how you came about your final design(s) and decision(s).

As an Individual:

1. Keep yourself updated with the most recent trends. If you write a proposal to your company about an event that you consider participating in, they might even pay for your attendance. Participating in events is also good when you get fired or laid off from a job you have been working in for over 10 years. This is because you are still updated with current trends, causing a higher advantage in finding a job again.

2. Interview yourself. Some individuals write amazing resumes and have great portfolios but are not successful at their interview. Having all three successful assets (great portfolio, resume and interview) will cause a better advantage of receiving a job.