Hi everyone!

As part of my photography course, I have to track my development on a blog. The posts from September 2011 until January 2012 are part of a module called Project Management, for which I was required to work in a group of eight students to create an exhibition. The blog followed every step we took in order to create a successful gallery. The blog posts starting from September 2012 follow my final year on the course. I'll be documenting my research and analysis of my final year projects, as well as include notes of my Professional Practice unit - which prepares us for a range of post graduate options. Finally it also looks at a project called New Creatives, where I'll be working alongside an artists to help college students get more involved with art.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Looking Beyond Your Degree


Paul Barnes came in to speak to us about CV writing and what we need to do in order to secure a job when we’re finished with the course.

He started off by explaining that there is a small number of large companies that look for photographers, but there are a lot of smaller companies (SME small to medium sized enterprise) who are looking for photographers. Research shows that only 25% of graduates sought SME opportunities (5/1/12)

First Steps
·         Lateral thinking and back up plans
o   Very useful as it may take time to find a job
·         Work experience
o   Really important to gain experience of a commercial industry
·         Speculative applications
o   Gamble application
o   Opportunities that aren’t advertised
o   Could lead to work experience
·         Likely need for a good CV

Need for CV
·         A vital sales pitch – not narrating a story
·         Relevant to role and organization
·         Stand out and show added value
o   What can you bring to the organization
·         Appropriate evidence, use positive language

CV Writing in 2 Minutes
·         Concise
o   Generally 2 sides max a4
·         Clear sections
·         Introductory profile, objective, personal statement
·         Choose style
o   Chronological, skill based, academic
·         Reverse chronological order
·         Bullet points
o   Brief ‘bites’ of information
·         Good font and letter size
·         Positive vocabulary, excellent presentation
·         Must provide evidence of skills and achievements
·         Needs to be adapted
·         Outside interests
o   Significant or especially relevant ones only
·         Referees – references available on request
·         Creative styles are popular and can work well but images must add something

Different Styles
·         Chronological
o   Events are the main part of the sales pitch
·         Skill based
o   Relevant skill types are the key here
·         Creative styles
o   Using images of work to convey message
·         Academic styles
o   Specific details of specialised learning and research

Creative Styles of CV
·         Very common
·         Watermark of border can be effective
·         Landscape shaped CVs harder to format correctly but can work well
·         Care needed for content
o   Need for clarity
o   Relevance
o   Originality
o   Avoid overcrowding
o   Remember copyright
·         Lots of freedom
·         More suited to many roles and employers

What skills and qualities do recruiters require?
·         Technical skills
·         Design skills
·         Ability to work in teams
·         Customer service skills
·         Flexibility
·         Capacity for attention to detail
·         Able to manage own workload
·         Strong communication
·         Problem solving

Key tasks in CV writing
·         Linking skills, achievements qualifications and so on
·         Possible use for records of achievement of portfolio


Speculative application
·         Taking a gamble
·         Applying for a job might lead to work experience
·         Need a good CV and covering letter
·         Might need samples of work
Other considerations
·         Personal website
·         E-portfolio


Agency
·         Aswift.com
·         Opmjobs.com
·         Associatesgroup.co.uk
·         Profilescreative.com
·         Agencycentral.co.uk
·         Rec.uk.com

Networking
·         Sedf.org.uk
·         Applecart.org
·         Cib.as
·         Cafeculture.org.uk
·         Everycreative.com
·         Creativeboom.co.uk
·         Mediavolt.co.uk
·         Linkedin.com
·         Facebook.com

Showcasing
·         Allourbestwork.com
·         Artsthread.com
·         Behance.net

Where are the opportunities
·         Prospects.ac.uk
·         Ccskills.org.uk
·         Local and national press
·         Bipp.com
·         Rps.org
·         Bapla.org.uk
·         Region based resources
o   Graduatejobsouth.co.uk

Postgraduate
·         Art therapy
·         Medical illustration
·         Journalism
·         Law
·         Human resources
·         Teaching
·         Findamasters.com

Self employment
·         Seek early accurate advice
·         Lot of preparation
·         Networking is important

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