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Can't even get an interview. What to do?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Work & Study
I've got over 5 years experience as a graphic designer. Know all the software like photoshop, illustrator, flash and even video editing.
Yet when i send my CV off to recruitment agencies they say my skills don't even match the most junior of positions for graphic design. Generally because i've never worked at anywhere calling themselves a graphic design agency, so the recruiters wont send my CV on. I can do the work easily, have the skills and experience yet its the sodding recruitment agencies stopping my CV from reaching the companies. What can i do?
I've tried contacting companies directly in the past which is a waste of time and money as my CV just goes in the bin before it gets past the secutary.
My CV is pretty good, made it stupidly easy and clear to read after having recruiters calling me up for building work and programming work even though thats not listed in my CV at all.
Im close to tearing my hair out because i can do the work, yet recruiters seem to think i cant because of a company title rather than my skill.
Yet when i send my CV off to recruitment agencies they say my skills don't even match the most junior of positions for graphic design. Generally because i've never worked at anywhere calling themselves a graphic design agency, so the recruiters wont send my CV on. I can do the work easily, have the skills and experience yet its the sodding recruitment agencies stopping my CV from reaching the companies. What can i do?
I've tried contacting companies directly in the past which is a waste of time and money as my CV just goes in the bin before it gets past the secutary.
My CV is pretty good, made it stupidly easy and clear to read after having recruiters calling me up for building work and programming work even though thats not listed in my CV at all.
Im close to tearing my hair out because i can do the work, yet recruiters seem to think i cant because of a company title rather than my skill.
0
Comments
Also, you need to contact the agencies again, either by phone or sending in CV. Get some work experience from them and see where it leads.
Bad news about you having problems with getting a new job.
If, despite you having five-years experience of graphic design, people are turning down before interview then your CV obviously isn't selling you properly. I'd suggest you find a friend or someone who deals with recruitment to give you an honest assessment of your CV. And not your mum who'll say nice things regardless..
"Five-years experience" could mean that you've completed a degree and then worked at a top company for two years: it could also mean that you?ve sat in your bedroom creating doodles on your computer. So make sure you are specific about what you have done and where. Where is your work being used, how much value did the company you worked for get out of your work?
Design companies are like all talent-agencies; they want to see potential. They want to see work that you?ve done - so can you put some stuff up on your own blog or website, or something like Flickr or MySpace?
And remember that design is about the whole product? if your CV looks badly designed, or it has spelling mistakes or errors on it, then that is a huge no-no (although it does irritate me how many designers can't do grammar... and conversely how many grammar-pedants can't design).
And don't feel bad about asking for the person specification for a particular job, most reputable organisations should provide it. A person specification lists the qualities an individual will need in order to do the job, and it's used to choose who to short-list. And then make sure your CV explicitly matches the criteria.
Hope this helps!
Olly
usually a top class cv will be read by who you want it to be read by.
and go to 'graphic design forum' too.