Waaaat (job related)

"Nibby" (nibby68)
07/16/2014 at 23:29 • Filed to: None

I hate interviews and whatnot. The past few ones I've had, all for graphic design, video editing, art-related jobs... they tell me we'll be in touch or we'll send you a project as a test, etc. They never do. All I've been trying to do is find a summer job or internship. I even offered to work for free at a real estate agency, in response to a video editing internship. They told me they'll send me a demo project to edit before last weekend and they never did. At this point, even my parents are telling me just focus on making connections at school with professors cause it's not about what you know, it's who you know.

Fuck the economy. I do what I want.

DISCUSSION (36)

thebrothernamedbigsby > Nibby
07/16/2014 at 23:31

Starting up 6th year of school in a couple months (worst major change ever) and I can't find a job or internship because my GPA is shit and I'm too busy trying to graduate to have a job. Fuck. /vent

I know how it goes, bro.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Nibby
07/16/2014 at 23:36

You could always try what the spam bots are telling you to do. After all, my brother's friend's sister-in-law made $9,837.56 just last week by sitting at a computer!

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Click here for more!

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ly2v8-Brian > Nibby
07/16/2014 at 23:36

I actually got the line about how I seemed like a good worker, but I didn't have enough experience. Seriously, how the F$&k do I get experience in the field if no one will hire me.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/16/2014 at 23:39

Please tell me that's Rick!

Nibby > ly2v8-Brian
07/16/2014 at 23:39

EXACTLY! Or even entry level positions are like impossible to get.

Nibby > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/16/2014 at 23:40

You can't fool me with that XcQ link. Nice try, buddy.

Nibby > thebrothernamedbigsby
07/16/2014 at 23:41

Yeah I hear ya. My GPA in undergrad was pretty decent and my GPA in my first semester of grad school is... well, the best grades I've ever gotten. Still having issues finding shit. Good luck with you, buddy!

Zibodiz > Nibby
07/16/2014 at 23:43

I never did get a job in my line of work. Instead, I worked lousy dead-end jobs and saved every penny until I could just open my own business doing what I love. If I hadn't, I'd still undoubtedly be working retail or something.

Not to be a downer, but I've learned that some jobs are just really hard to get. And my field of work is not as hard to break into as yours — I feel really bad for you. Art is an awesome thing, but impossible to make a living at. Which is why I never pursued it — I actually to a bit of art myself (I'm partway through inking a comic book, among many other projects), but I decided when I was young that it just wasn't worth the heartache to try making a profession out of it. Instead it's just a hobby, for me.

Best of luck landing a job you'll enjoy. Have you ever considered doing something like a webcomic to build a name for yourself, in the meantime?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
07/16/2014 at 23:43

It is.

ly2v8-Brian > Nibby
07/16/2014 at 23:47

That was back when I was trying to be a construction equipment mechanic (I got an aas for that right out of hs). That was 09 (that long already). I didn't get any where so last year I decided to go back to school. I really hope I don't deal with that again. But I can't believe you are having such a hard time. Graphical design is something that I think would be in demand.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Nibby
07/16/2014 at 23:47

Drat! You win this time!

Nibby > Zibodiz
07/17/2014 at 00:00

I do have a webcomic... http://gameoeuvre.net84.net/csite/

GhostZ > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 00:08

This is what you need to do, take it from someone who sees this all the time at a liberal arts college:

Work on projects. Get your own website. Find some computer geek who can make it look like this: http://droga5.com/

Whore yourself out to anyone who wants free work online, or create the work yourself, for free. Build a portfolio, a twitter account, and a decent facebook following.

When you call someone at the business you want to work at, if they're a graphic design company, show them your portfolio. If they're another company, prepare a small example of what work you would do for them if you were hired, something slick (like a logo redesign, a website graphic, or some kind of advertisement) and then show them that. Then, show them something for several competing businesses that you would design too.

Beforehand, call all of their competitors and offer yourself to them first. Even if turned down, at the interview for where you really want to go, make sure to mention that you've contacted XXX company as well and you're trying to find a place where you really fit in.

Why do these things? First off, it shows them you're serious about this career because you've already invested time and money into it, and you won't just leave in a year.

Second, it shows them that if you aren't hired, you'll still be doing work for others . Maybe their competitors.

Third, it allows you to snowball anything you do into further stuff. Even if it takes you 3 years to get a job, by then you'll have 3 years of experience and work with tangible results . That's better than 3 years of internships or coffee-running, and it will at least pay off in skipping the introductory jobs later on.

Fourth, designing something for them already for free gives them an idea of what they're missing out on. It's a double-edged sword, in case they don't like it, but just keep it cool and interesting. Don't try to convince them that it will improve sales, if they like it, they understand how it will improve sales. If they don't, they're not really looking for a graphic designer.

In your part time, learn how to code for websites, because that's what most small businesses want nowadays: a web developer who is also a graphic designer, so they don't have to deal with the nightmare it is trying to get the two to work together.

"Making connections with professors" is terrible advice. I mean, sure, you can do that, but that's like being a prostitute in hopes that one of your clients will pick you up because he likes you so much.

GhostZ > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/17/2014 at 00:10

The frightening thing is, quite a lot of top-end programmers make more than that by, indeed, just sitting at a computer.

ly2v8-Brian > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
07/17/2014 at 00:11

yeah that's rick

ly2v8-Brian > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/17/2014 at 00:11

Classic

GhostZ > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 00:16

Oh, and in the way of getting/creating work? Content is key.

Start off with simple things: design posters, images, logos for businesses or cars, advertisements, basically throw a dart at any brand you like, and do free advertising for them in the coolest way you can possible. People love seeing something familiar from a new perspective.

But never stop creating. Never stop. You don't need to fight for twitter followers, if you keep making things, they will come. Content. Is. King.

Nibby > GhostZ
07/17/2014 at 00:16

I'm a fucking *terrible* programmer. I can do HTML and CSS, and I have my own website and whatnot, with my artwork on it (digital media, sculpture, games, paintings, etc.). Coding just isn't my thing. I don't have the mindset for it. I'm trying to squeeze my foot in the door and that's damn near impossible. A lot of people my age and/or from my program (both undergrad and grad) are in the same boat as I am currently.

Maybe Jalopnik needs a Photoshopper? :P

Thanks a lot for your help.

Nibby > GhostZ
07/17/2014 at 00:17

I'm always making weird shit. :P

GhostZ > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 00:18

Which is why you need to go find some mouthbreather comp sci college student for $500 who will throw you up a nice HTML5 site.

Would you mind linking me to your website?

Nibby > GhostZ
07/17/2014 at 00:20

Uhh, can I email you a link to it?

GhostZ > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 00:24

If it's a matter of privacy, no problem. I don't need to see it.

But just remember this. All businesses seek graphic designers for basically the same reason, and it can be summed up in one sentence:

"We want art that makes us money ."

So look at your portfolio. Is it art? And would it make someone money (by showing it, not by selling it)? If those two criteria aren't fulfilled to the fullest, then you need to rethink your strategy.

Kailand09 > GhostZ
07/17/2014 at 06:20

I saved this, good advice to give my Fiance who will be graduating with graphic design. Thanks!

Brian Silvestro > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 07:12

1. Get CCC internship (unpaid)

2. They'll probably hire you at the end of the internship

3. profit(?)

Nibby > Brian Silvestro
07/17/2014 at 08:55

brb using jbh and Aaron Brown as references

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 10:20

What region you in buddy?

Nibby > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/17/2014 at 10:38

New York.

Brian Silvestro > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 10:52

I know I will when/if I ever try to go there.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 11:25

Damn, if you were out in Michigan I could refer you to countless places. I got nothing out that way though.

I did 2 unpaid internships, 1 during college and 1 after, for basically start up tiny ad agencies. It looked good on my resume.

Though I'm a "jack of all trades" ad guy, so I had a lot less focused of a career path haha, it helped because I could apply to anything.

Nibby > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/17/2014 at 12:53

brb moving to Michigan... in a year after I finish grad school.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 13:06

what is your BA in and what's your grad degree you're completing?

Nibby > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/17/2014 at 16:28

BFA in studio art, Masters of Science in digital media.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 16:32

Damn dude

NYC SUCKS

Come out to Detroit, you'll be surprised at the job market.

When do you complete your degree? Make sure you contact me as your completing it, I can refer you to my own company and a few other recruiters I know at different ad agencies.

I have a feeling Automotive Advertising would be a section of Advertising you'd be interested in? Lol

Nibby > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/17/2014 at 17:16

Wow, thanks a lot! I finish in Spring 2015.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibby
07/17/2014 at 23:00

Keep in touch my friend!

Nibby > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/17/2014 at 23:10

Will do!