Must try harder
Younger visitors to Brand DNA are sure to be aware of the Monday Morning Whip that I write each week for Junior.
One of the topics I try to ram home is the realisation that getting a job in adland requires more than just a good folio.
I took the picture above yesterday.
Every single one of those folios belongs to a talented young creative person trying to get a foot in the door at an agency.
Do I need to say more?
Labels: advertising, folio, junior, lifeatthebottom.com
posted by Stan Lee at 8:09 am
23 Comments:
Wow. That looks like they all went to Kinko's and said, "Give me your ugliest, most bland and generic binder and I'm gonna throw some shit into it."
the view behind the reception desk?
Maybe you should send this post to anyone who provides a portfolio and it should have a little note that says “can you see how your folder stands out?”
Maybe if they new what their application looked like when it got to you then they would be change their approach?
The ones who get what you are saying will do something about it and show that they can think a little.
How about a bit of 'it's what inside that counts'. Give them a break. Most have been told by lecturers to get their folio from Zetta Florence. Perhaps constructive criticism would be helpful eg: show us the 'best' ones you got rather than 'what not to do'.
It amazes me with all the web tools we have online that kids are still carting folios like that around. With all the image, video and file hosting sites around, surely it would say a hella lot more if a young gun was savvy enough to sell not only his creative abilities, but also his digital, design and presentation skills?
I think it would be more annoying if everyone built their folio inside a Trojan horse or a giant shoe or a DVD that you had to sit and wait to load up.
At the end of the day, all that these kids are asking for is a chance to be used so the boss can make more money.
I can't think of any other industry where juniors are treated so poorly. Better off as a Apprentice Mechanic, (at least they get weekends)
'Used' is true. I was talking to a dirty suit on the weekend who said "my aim is to sell creative's services at 100% but get creative to only spend 20% of their time on it thereby delivering 80% in margin to the company." Harsh but perhaps that's the reality? Discuss...
Another pearler: "Mediocre is fine - it's not about the best creative, it's about the creative the client is willing to accept". Jeez, I feel like putting my folio in a freakin' shopping bag after that.
To the anonymous person who said, "How about a bit of 'it's what inside that counts'. Give them a break."
I have given more time, energy and love to wannabe creatives than anyone I know.
So if anyone deserves a break, it's me.
You need a break?
How about the Top 5 things to make your day - what do you LIKE to see in a portfolio?
Tell us about the BEST portfolio you've ever seen?
Is it better to try and get FACE TIME with creative directors rather than leaving your portfolio at reception?
And no offence intended with 'give them a break'...it's just that a lot of us are young, clueless and trying really hard. We have no idea how it looks at the other end - hence the usefulness of your post!
For instance, I've had graphic design studios tell me they don't care what sort of portfolio you use....it's the content and how someone presents.
Anon... All im saying is that these traditional folios fail to demonstrate dynamic thinking away from traditional media. Sure they might be trained to do print etc cause when you're a student thats all you have most of the time, but at least put some creative thinking into how it's presented. Create a flickr album, even a minisite... I know if i was a creative i WOULDN'T WANT to work for a place that didn't appreciate how much smarter, and more in touch that makes me look over the rest of the competition.
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Never trusted my folio sitting alone at an agency without a talking, smiling, joking and charming, me connected to it.
Tip for budding creatives:
Develop relationships with people working in the industry. When you know someone on the inside, your folio will skip the pile and land straight on the CD's desk.
And don't be afraid to call a CD directly and ask to meet them. That's how i got my junior position here at Clems.
Glenn and Stef are both right you know.
They're both working in top agencies too!
So don't be like everyone else. be like them. Build your industry contacts and never ever leave your folio at reception.
stan, you're almost starting to compete with scamp for the most heated anonymous debates.
ironic, considering the post is about making a name for yourself. heh.
They're all the same...
If I were creative I'd print my whole portfolio 3m by 2m and get it couriered straight to the cafe you at lunch at Stan.
Solid debate.
@10.50am I'm a suit, and that dirty suit sounds like he works for a dirty agency. It's not reality.
I guess the only other thing I have to add to the discussion is this:
Apart from lawyers (40,000 practicing, 28,000 'budding' lawyers in law school), is there any harder job to get than an ad creative? (Award school churns out about a 1000 grads a year, for, say 20 jobs. Total working creatives in Oz might be 3000).
This shouldn't just be an example for creative or advertising job submissions - if you're going for a position anywhere at the moment you'll have to stand out. If your best competition for standing out is a blue folder it can't be that hard.
I blame the universities more than anything, they supposedly teach you what you need to know to do you chosen career, very few actually teach you how to get that job.
My experience is more digital than creative, but I wouldnt hire a designer, programmer etc without them having enough passion to build stuff online - whether it be their portfolio or silly micro-site just because they are passionate about online.
I am sure similar rules apply for creatives as Stan suggests, but if universities do not educate students as to what the real world is all about, they start off behind the 8-ball.
I just hope every budding creative has enough sense to be reading this blog - not my comment - but Stans thoughts - who know they may graduate university with actual knowledge.
I like Anonymous suggesting what you should include as constructive advice, I think up and coming people should be happy that they are getting some advice - why get fussy - take every bit of advice you can get...
Just my red wine induced thoughts.
Definitely some good debate going on. It's obviously a contentious topic. But we knew that of course, that's why we started Junior.
The bottom line is this: Folios are only one part to the equation. You gotta add talent, passion, luck, persistence, patience, and a whole heap of networking in there too.
It's just the way it is. Surely everyone would agree just dropping your folio at reception isn't going to get you a job no matter how great the work inside is. Truly.
The best thing to do is talk to people. Talk to lots of people. If you don't know where to start or what to ask, read the interviews on our site. It'll get you in the mood.
Really, nobody is going to have the 'golden' answer. There is no wrong or right way to go about it. But if you really want a job, you're going to have to work hard for it. And if you do, trust us, it'll work every time.
I think it's harsh to blame universities. The industry has to shoulder the responsibilty in my opinion.
Agencies need to play more of a part in educating not only their future staff, but also the institutions that are rearing them.
I like the fact that you are almost forced to make yourself stand-out when looking for your first creative opportunity. It's telling you something about the job before you even get it. It's making you think.
And likewise, you have the chance to really tell an employer something about yourself.
How many other industries would be up for something like that?
I didn't get my first job on my folio alone, a big part of it was my approach.
Wow, thats alot of portfolios! I assume an entire crate of Red Bull was consumed in the creation of those little black books.But why are Young Creatives leaving their portfolios at reception?
They will learn nothing! They wont have that 'special' time with the C.D when constructive criticism is unleashed which is one of the best ways to improve your prortfolio.
I've had my porti ripped apart by many C.D's but everytime it happened, they improved my idea's and which gave me an advantage when meeting a new C.D. Whatever you do meet the C.D, learn, befriend and inspire...only then will you land a position.
Before I begin my rant, I am a fully time copywriter at at a leading agency. I love the passion creative juniors have. It's inspiring. Sadly that passion gives those who are in positions of power in agencies more power as they have something you want and they know it, namely a job. Creativity is about pleasing the soul not the market. And don't listen to young creatives speaking about the industry as though they know it back to front, it's surprising how akin young creatives talking about the industry is to year seven kids going back to primary school after a week and reveling in the awe they receive from the grade six kids. Those year sevens then go back to their "kingdom" to receive wedgies and the like. If you want to be creative, make something out of nothing. If you truly are creative the industry will suck the life from you as you spend more time proving and discussing your creativity than you ever will doing anything. Forget the hype. Advertising is a job. Creativity is more than that. More than a black book of ideas. I know, I know listening to CDs is great cos they will change your ideas. Wonderful, we can all talk with the same voice. What a snooze-fest. Go and do something creative that does more than allow you to tell your graduate mates you got a job. Follow your passion. Try. Get a job as a means to a end. For gods sake, because when you do, it will inspire me to do the same. Above all don't watch Gruen Transfer, it represents the advertising industry as much as Blue Heelers does the Victorian Police Force .
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