Looking for creative work in Chicago?

So you want to advance your career, work for top creative companies, and earn the pay you deserve...but where should you begin? Monster is always good start, but there are many other opportunities in the city if you know where to look. Industry specific staffing firms such as Creative Circle can help you make that connection with employers who are looking for you.

We asked Elizabeth Wells, Recruiting Manager at Creative Circle, what trends the company is seeing in the work that is available today, and her advice on creating a more attractive portfolio...

What kind of talent is in demand right now?

Flash! Flash! Flash! Mid level print/web designers.

Do you see employers raising compensation for any particularly desirable skills?

It really depends on the size of the agency and their clientèle. Smaller--less money, bigger--more money. Candidates need to remain flexible. We understand that bills need to be paid, but sometimes experience is worth more than money.

What advantages does a staffing firm offer the job seeker in today's creative job market?

• Staffing firms pay their talent whether or not they get paid by their client.
• Staffing firms (or at least Creative Circle) are on the side of the candidate. We want to build a long term relationship with our talent.
• We take taxes out, so that the talent does not have to deal with that. We also provide insurance to the candidate while the candidate is working onsite with the client.
• Creative Circle has a team of people who work as the talent's marketing department. As an actor would have an agent, we act as the talent's representative. We are able to cover so much more ground through a database of thousands of clients and prospects. We can market talent specifically to clients or on a much broader base.
• Creative Circle internally employs recruiters and salespeople who have worked within the creative industry. We feel that we have an understanding from both the client and the talent side. Personally, I have worked as a graphic designer and in a major advertising production services house. We try to employ internals from a variety of creative areas to cover all the bases.

Any tips for polishing up a portfolio?

Craftsmanship! Print designers should be extremely meticulous when it comes to showcasing work. It's their calling card. Print outs should be good quality. Book should not be oversized. It's difficult to view and to carry. Print things smaller. They always look better. Make sure the work is current. Something over five years old can look very dated.

Show initiative! If you haven't produced any work that you really want to include in your portfolio, rework older pieces, do spec work. However, unless you are fresh out of school, your book should not be purely spec.

• Resumes: keep them short and simple and clean. Don't get too creative with paper. It's a distraction. Don't list too many softwares or skills on your resume. It will seem that you are a "jack of all trades and a master of none." Instead, have several versions of your resume.
• Web Designers: Try not to make sites too flashy. Simple is good. You don't need to showcase every skill that you have.

Get opinions! I always ask candidates if they mind my opinion. Usually candidates are willing to listen. I also tell them to get other opinions about their work and take the advice they feel most comfortable with. There are no rules as to how many samples you should have in your portfolio. You will hear something different every time you ask an interviewer.

This entry was posted by Christoph, on November 30, 2005. You can leave your response.