Ian RutterDirector, Argent Ram Media Limited

What do we do at Argent Ram Media?

Website Design and DevelopmentEmail Marketing

Digital Screen MarketingDesign-for-Print

PRExhibition and Conference Services

What do we do at Argent Ram Media?

What do Employers look for when recruiting Design Students

And Graduates?

Or...to be more precise, what attributes do I look for when I recruit Design Students and Graduates?

Some DOs and DON’Ts

Gloomy Bits first.....

The unemployment rate for 18 to 24 year olds increased by 0.7 percentage points on the quarter to reach 18.0 per cent, the highest figure since records for this series began in 1992.

Unemployment for 18 to 24 year olds was 746,000 in the three months to September 2009, up 24,000 from the three months to June 2009.

Office for National StatisticsNovember 2009

According to Hesa’s performance indicators, the proportion of graduates who were unemployed six months after they left university rose by more than a third, from 5.7 per cent to 8.2 per cent, in 2007-08. Since then, the economic situation has worsened.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said the Hesa figures made for “grim reading”.

“The fact that graduates are entering such a tough job market with record levels of debt must be a cause for concern for all of us.”

However, Keith Herrman, deputy chief executive of the Council for Industry and Higher Education, noted that there had been a positive side-effect on undergraduate attitudes towards skills and work.

“The recession has forced many graduates and students to think critically about how they equip themselves with the necessary skills for the world of work,” he said.

Wendy Piatt, director-general of the Russell Group:

“Now more than ever, employers want graduates who are good at problem-solving, are entrepreneurial and able to handle uncertainty.”

Times Higher Education

DO everything you can to get an interview...

You are a Commodity - Market yourself!

A - ATTENTIONI - INTERESTD - DESIREA – CALL TO ACTION

Look at the advertisement or job description CAREFULLY. Pick up on the wording and try to understand what the Employer is looking for.

“Creative Graduate Designers.”

What am I looking for?

DO tailor your CV.

Make sure it grabs Attention and creates Interest.

Engage!

DO provide what is asked for...

If the advertisement or job description asks for examples of your work MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE SOME.

COMMERCIALLY AWARE

ENTREPRENEURIAL

PROBLEM SOLVING

DO ensure that the employer knows you are a great candidate.

Specific Job?

What makes YOU the perfect candidate for that job?

An Employer wants you to help him make money.

Desire....make the Employer WANT you.

DO tout your wares

DON’T rely on others to find you work.

As Students and Graduates of the UKC, you have unique skills and talents that ARE sought within the industry.

Capitalise on that.

What have you done today, to make you feel proud?

One of my pet hates is the CV that lists every hobby the candidate has done since the age of 3.

DO show pride in your achievements

I am interested, though, in what you have done outside the normal University course work that SHOWS YOUR TALENT relevant to the job on offer.

CREATIVITY

CREATIVITY

CREATIVITY

DO demonstrate your Unique Selling Points

Show me freehand drawings, life drawings, sketches you have done during the holidays, photographs you take; any example that shows me you have CREATIVE FLAIR.

Remember: the one unique thing that sets you apart from your competitors is YOU.

Examples form great topics of conversation that help you to relax and will immediately grab the attention of the Interviewer. Talking about work you have enjoyed doing allows you to come across enthusiastically, which is a massive PLUS.

Engage!

Be yourself...

Show the following attributes:

• Confidence and self-belief

• Commitment

• Enthusiasm

• Willingness and ability to learn

• Capacity to listen and take instruction

DON’T worry...!

EVERYONE has strengths and weaknesses.

No one person can do EVERYTHING.

DON’T demonstrate the following...

• Overt cockiness or arrogance

• A distinct lack of personal hygiene

• A disregard for sensible dress codes

• Spouting of irrelevant drivel

My Top 8 Attention Grabbers – 90% of the way to being offered a job:

1. A great CV with examples of work that really shows creativity;

2. Punctuality; don’t be late for the interview;3. Smart dress. That doesn’t always mean a suit, but try to

look as though you have made an effort;4. Politeness, and articulacy; don’t mumble;

My Top 8 Attention Grabbers – 90% of the way to being offered a job:

5. An enthusiasm to show your work; don’t be shy as this will give you something to talk about;

6. An indication that you have at least looked at my company website so know a bit about what we do;

7. An understanding of what the role might entail. For example, knowing that a position for a website designer might involve some website design.

8. Ask questions. I love it when a candidate asks questions as it shows they think.

My Top 8 Horrors – 100% of the way to being shown the door:

1. A dull CV that looks like everyone else’s. I employ people because they stand out as individuals, so make your CV reflect your uniqueness;

2. Lateness with no apology;3. The “I have just climbed out of bed” look;4. Lack of cleanliness;

My Top 8 Horrors – 100% of the way to being shown the door:

5. Being slightly too frank;6. Being asked a question to receive the reply “Dunno

really...”;7. Not having any examples of any creative work – sure fire

way of drawing a blank;8. Spending the interview clearly dreaming of stacking the

shelves at Tescos.

Conclusion

• You are UNIQUE

• You have TALENT

• You have SKILLS

• You are EMPLOYABLE

• MAKE IT KNOWN

Any Questions?