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Posts Tagged ‘artisan’
How to Stand Out at Creative Staffing Firms
10/17/2011 1:14 PM By William Pirraglia
Millions of words have been written with advice to help you ace job interviews, but less has been explained about interviews or presentations to creative staffing firms. Remember employment agencies owe their first obligation to their clients to recommend the best talent that fits their companies’ needs.
Instead of restating 5 or 10 tips to deliver a fabulous job interview performance, here is just one: Treat your approach to creative staffing firms just as you would for an employer job interview.
For example, assume you seek lucrative production artist jobs and opportunities.
- Research creative staffing firms to find those that seem to offer the exciting assignments you like. Seeking freelance or fulltime web design jobs with a staffing firm that specializes in accounting and finance personnel may not be the best option.
- If you’re a newer freelancer, practice, practice, practice your approach and presentation to experienced recruiters. You should practice until you are totally comfortable with discussing your qualifications and convincing creative staffing recruiters that you are a reliable, skilled and dedicated professional.
- Create a career resume that sparks sincere interest in you, not just your qualifications. If you were seeking talent for creative jobs, what resumes would trigger your interest? Put yourself in a talent representative’s shoes—if you received dozens of resume each day, what information, layout and highlights would make certain candidates stand out?
- Always remember that your recruiter (interviewer) is on your side, but has deeper obligations to their client (employer). Present yourself as a “likeable” candidate. However experienced and clinical, recruiters and hiring managers prefer to work with people they like. Recruiters understand what their clients want and do their best to match the ideal candidate for them. However, you’ll always stand out if you are cooperative, talented—and likeable.
- Remain calm and professional. Creative staffing veterans understand that you may be a bit nervous when interviewing. If you develop the ability to remain calm and professional during the “getting to know you” process, you’ll stand out, as it will be assumed that you will project this attitude during your assignments.
- Display confidence, not cockiness. People, recruiters included, respect confidence and control. Few, if any, enjoy big egos. Being thoroughly prepared for a telephone or in-person interview with a staffing recruiter should give you the encouragement you need to make a strong impression.
Creative staffing firms (and their clients) want to deal with professionals. Even if you are a fairly new graduate or beginning a freelance career, display professionalism, commitment and dedication to your craft. Experienced creative staffing recruiters will respond with more confidence and belief in your abilities and talent.
Less Obvious Ways a Top Chicago Staffing Agency Can Help You
10/13/2011 4:58 PM By William Pirraglia
Assume you’re a graphic designer seeking freelance assignments in the Chicago-metro area. You have some contacts that occasionally advise you of potential client opportunities. You’re ready to expand your horizons and wonder how a Chicago staffing agency could help you.
Some answers are obvious. The best freelance job agencies, like Artisan, list new opportunities, often with daily personal updates. These agencies have more contacts in a number of different industries than one individual probably could ever have. If smart creative recruiters see something they like in you, chances are they will want to place you again and again.
Other creative staffing agency benefits may be lesser known. Here are a few additional benefits of which you may be unaware.
- Some of their employer clients have been partners for long periods, becoming regular and consistent sources of new jobs. Is there ever enough “marketing time?” Not likely. When you’re marketing, you’re not producing. When you’re producing, you cannot market. A good staffing agency can become a consistent source of interesting jobs because of their reputation with many active clients.
- Top freelance job agencies are a valuable resource and dispenser of knowledge that makes you a better performer. Many of the best creative employment firms offer articles, blogs and other reference information that help you become a more polished and knowledgeable freelancer. These resources help make you a more effective—and busier—freelancer.
- The best creative agencies handle many administrative duties for you. This can include providing direct deposit, collecting out-of-pocket expenses on your behalf, keeping a record of your assignments, etc. While money is like time—there is never enough—creative staffing agencies can negotiate rates for you and help manage your assignments more efficiently.
- Freelance job agencies help you become a more confident and effective marketer of your skills and professionalism. As you complete more assignments successfully, your agency will better understand your ability and, when possible, may recommend you, should clients ask for their opinion. Consistently working for new and repeated clients builds your confidence, which further develops your personal marketing ability to sell your talent better to future clients.
These advantages, beyond simple job board listings, can generate upgrades in both short- and long-term lifestyle and professional success for freelancers, whether in major cities like Chicago or smaller markets. Let superior freelance job agencies expand your influence and your bank account.
Creative Staffing: Not Your Average Job Placement Agency
9/1/2011 3:47 PM By Vince FontDespite what you may have heard to the contrary, the job outlook for people with creative skills is no less viable than the job market for people with mechanical ability. But if you’ve been struggling for quite some time to land gainful employment that makes better use of your creative skills, you’re probably understandably frustrated.
If this is the case, maybe it’s time you looked at what a creative staffing firm can do for you. Creative job placement agencies can offer quite a bit by way of giving you increased visibility and preferential access to job listings.
So how does it work? First you have to understand that creative staffing agencies put a special emphasis on helping people with niche abilities like yourself make money doing what you do best. Whether that’s designing websites or managing fast-paced interactive projects, the answer is yes – there are placement agencies for people in your line of work. Here are just a few of the benefits of working with them.
• Creative job placement firms have existing connections with companies that employ individuals in your professional field and can leverage those connections to help get your foot in the door.
• Creative staffing companies can give you access to job listings that haven’t been publicized yet, precisely as a result of these connections. Very often the staffing agency may be under an exclusive contract with the hiring company, in which case the only way to go about getting an interview is by going through the staffing company.
• Using a creative staffing agency broadens the scope of your search and can clue you in on job opportunities you might have otherwise missed if you went about the hunt on your own.
Are you ready to find a job that will actually use your talents and training? Stop banging your head against a brick wall and get yourself registered with a creative job placement agency. You may soon find a job doing something that you love.
The Distinct Advantages of Working With a Creative Talent Representative
8/8/2011 11:37 AM By William PirragliaThere are many excellent employment recruiters in the US, but high tech professionals are wise to deal with a creative recruiter. For example, a strong experienced financial recruiter may lack some expertise with matching talented professionals with creative jobs. Experienced creative talent recruiters, however, understand the nuances of your profession and market.
For example, creative recruiters seeking Chicago freelance talent know their area clients and understand their preferences. They further realize that, even in a large metropolis, the creative community is typically tight and many people know each other. Just as a successful sales recruiter knows the players and can be an outstanding performer for clients and candidates, experienced creative recruiters have a distinct advantage in making successful matches.
These top recruiters, like those at Artisan, offer another priceless advantage: Effective interviewing tips and resources. For example, a recruiter knowing graphic design firms in Indianapolis might know which employers prefer clean or flashy portfolios and which favor more understated resumes. Neither freelancers nor full time candidates would receive this important knowledge without experienced creative recruiter assistance.
Another common interview benefit is the recruiter’s knowledge of those employers favoring a “be yourself” policy and those preferring a more traditional interviewing climate. For example, if your typical work uniform is a plaid shirt, blue jeans and boat shoes, some employers are now comfortable with interviewing you as yourself. However, other clients may still prefer that candidates wear classic gray suits with white shirts or blouses.
Working with a creative recruiter that knows their market and clients can help you perform better during the always critical interview process. Communicating the superior level of your talent, while forever important, may be easier and less stressful by having the helpful inside information an outstanding recruiter can provide. Use this information to focus on discussing the exact employer or project needs without added stress or distractions.
Chicago Creative Staffing Agencies Save Time and Energy for Both Parties
7/29/2011 2:21 PM By William Pirraglia
Entrepreneurs and businesses emerging from the recession are gaining confidence in the coming economic rebound in the Chicago market. With their professional plates full with startup requirements, marketing strategies and new (often conservative) growth plans, finding Chicago freelance talent poses some interesting challenges for area employers.
Enter the top creative employment search firms, like Artisan. The depth of the recession and slow moving recovery has generated even more risk to employers during the hiring process. However Chicago freelance talent firms are bridging this gap for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Understanding that employers can ill afford the risk of making unsatisfactory hires, the best creative talent organizations are better qualifying and preparing their candidates.
However, Windy City employers are also aware that proper candidate preparation directly benefits them just as much. For example, prepping candidates with pertinent job interview questions delivers more complete answers to employer interviewers, saving them time and money. Terminally overworked entrepreneurs and hiring managers are better able to conserve their precious time and make better quality hiring decisions.
Meanwhile, talented candidates, freelancers or fulltime job seekers deliver better to-the-point presentations, making their interviews more meaningful and successful. This becomes a classic win-win result which pleases both parties, as it should.
Author Adam Robinson, in his recent article “How to Hire in Chicago” published in Technori (January 2011), offers some keys for employers to hire the best candidates and maximize the benefits of a top creative talent firm. Mr. Robinson recommends that Chicago-area employers do the following.
- Be prepared to invest 30 to 50 percent of their available time to complete interviewing, evaluation and selection of the best candidate.
- Establish a standardized interview and evaluation process to make fair and equal hiring decisions.
- If possible, begin the recruiting at least 60 days before they must fill the given position(s).
Using a top creative talent search firm should ease the time investment and recruiting period, as these professionals pre-screen candidates for you and typically have an up-to-date group of qualified candidates, many of whom will meet your preferences. Their experience streamlines the process and lowers the hiring risk for both parties.
Where To Find Freelance Web Designer Jobs
7/22/2011 12:34 PM By Jeff OrloffFinding freelance web designer jobs has become increasingly difficult over the years because of advancements in technologies that have made it much easier for people who haven’t necessarily mastered the same skills as web coders to put up a working website. Add this to the fact there are so many freelance web developers and designers out there, it’s no wonder so many talent prefer a fulltime job over freelance work to secure employment.
Even though web design opportunities may not be as easy to find as they once were, there are still many avenues to connect with potential clients.
Networking
Most freelance work is found through word of mouth. A friend of a colleague needs a website for their new business or your Aunt Sally wants to start a customized blog for her book club. Talking to people and letting them know you are looking for clients can have a huge impact on your business. Add this to referrals you have from existing clients and you may quickly find yourself with more work than you can handle.
Clean-up work
Another way to find clients is to look for people who need their website redesigned. Websites that are built on old frameworks or have outdated design and capabilities are perfect places to start. Many freelancers also find work from people who didn’t get the quality they expected from a less expensive “designer” they hired.
Freelance talent agencies
One of the best ways to find work is through freelance recruitment firms. They not only connect you with quality clients, but they can be a huge help with billing, communicating and interceding if there are any problems or disputes. Working with reputable agencies also allows the company you are working with know that you too can be trusted to perform the job at hand.
Why Using a Creative Staffing Agency Makes Sense
6/16/2011 3:47 PM By Jeff OrloffWhen a company is looking for a freelancer or full-time employee to join their team, it’s understandable why one of the first places they go is a creative recruiting firm. By promoting an open position or project through an established staffing agency, a company is able to attract some of the best freelance talent out there.
As a freelancer, it’s important to make use of the tools an agency like Artisan offers to help you find work. Whether you are a professional copywriter, web designer or interactive project manager you can take advantage of all the following resources:
Web Presence
Freelance talent agencies use their websites to post jobs and the even better ones provide profiles and portfolios of the talent they represent. With the latter, a website can be a great resource for freelancers since companies looking for talent are likely to learn about your background and work experience. This allows freelancers to dedicate more time to lucrative assignments and less time looking for work.
Education
Another thing that quality freelance talent agencies offer is education. A good agency will offer valuable training or information on topics such as finding new clients, time management, marketing yourself, etc. Talent representatives can make wonderful advocates for talented professionals.
Security
Most importantly, using a freelance talent agency helps both the company and the candidate gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing the person they’ll be working with has been screened by a recruiter. Payment and deliverables are more likely to be transferred in a timely fashion and to the expectations of the contract when there is a third party involved who has vouched for both sides.
Artisan & AIGA Chicago Support City’s Vibrant Design Community
6/10/2011 1:38 PM By Julia ShiplettAs proud sponsors of AIGA Chicago’s Design Week, Artisan had a wonderful time mixing and mingling with Chicago’s design community during last night’s Annual Members Meeting at Park West. With hundreds of talented creatives and industry leaders in attendance, the evening was an overall celebration of design and collaboration within the city. Below are photos and highlights!
Keynote speaker Liz Danzico, a top design consultant, educator and co-founder of the MFA in Interaction Design Program at the School of Visual Arts, explains the fascinating way communication has evolved over the past centuries. Whether it’s writing in the margins of books or commenting on a friend’s Facebook status, people have always felt the need to express themselves and share it with others. Learn more about Liz’s work at bobulate.com.
Our talent Ezekiel Binion was the lucky recipient of Creative Suite 5.5.
Former AIGA President Marcia Lausen is celebrated for her long-time achievements within the design community, including leading the election design initiative of AIGA Design for Democracy. Learn more about Marcia’s work at Studio/lab.
Our very own Kristin Rupert introduces Artisan to the crowd.
Chicago’s Job Market: The New Solopreneur
6/8/2011 4:11 PM By William Pirraglia
However exhausted we are of a turbulent economy, there are many new opportunities for freelancers, and as usual Chicago is a hub of activity. Freelance agencies in the city like Artisan are currently offering expanded opportunities.
As a direct result of the recession and our new fiscal environment, people should also realize that along with more design jobs in Chicago, there will also be additional competition. During the bleak recession, many talented professionals were downsized from their full-time jobs.
Numerous skilled professionals chose to begin Chicago freelancing careers as solopreneurs. While it’s true many decided to work alone not because of a strong entrepreneurial spirit but simply to maintain some cash flow, it appears that a significant number of these new independent workers found that they liked the environment.
Premier freelance companies offer resources to help these newer freelancers reinvent themselves. Moving from a corporate to an entrepreneur mentality manifests various challenges to newcomers. These recruitment firms, informative blogs, news updates and valuable links can all assist those moving from salaried to Chicago freelancing careers.
For example, former full-time graphic and web designers may be unsure of how to prepare an effective freelance resume, set up a simple business bookkeeping system or use their own websites and social media to market themselves. Another area of common concern involves the pros and cons of freelancing. While someone may lose those precious three-week paid vacations, he or she also need not miss achild’s little league or softball games in the future.
Reinvention often takes time and effort to become comfortable. However, the expanding job market in Chicago is a cash flow resource not to be overlooked. Newer freelancers must learn how to market themselves properly to take advantage of these exciting opportunities. Top freelance recruiters can help keep the process as painless as possible.
All Graphic Design Recruitment Agencies Are Not Created Equal
5/17/2011 1:36 PM By William PirragliaOne graphic design recruitment agency may work for you but not for some of your peers. Is luck involved? Sometimes, yes. Over the long-term, however, your response might be much different. Companies seeking to hire graphic designer talent on a freelance or full-time basis always want the best of the best, whether or not they can afford top level talent.
The best creative talent agencies repeatedly attract the best employers and the most lucrative opportunities. These firms offer more than just job boards. They deliver value-added resources and information. This helps freelance graphic designers become even more professional and valuable to employers.
As job opportunities are finally expanding, graphic designers must develop a strong belief in their value as translated by available jobs while incorporating a strong dose of reality. While hiring managers are expressing levels of optimism after a long drought, most companies, large and small, still face budget challenges. Until business revenues display more consistent increases, employers will probably continue to be conservative in their hiring efforts and compensation offers.
Whether you favor a Chicago talent agency or another top geographical creative staffing firm, you should place your first allegiance with a professional recruiting entity. Unless you are universally recognized as one of the elite performing graphic designers in the U.S., your desired compensation rates may conflict with some of the new freelance jobs currently offered.
Resist the temptation to adopt derogatory impressions about employers offering less than you know (believe) you’re worth, as companies are still trying to conserve cash until the recovery displays longevity. This is the short-term reality. This situation is also the reason why you should seriously look to a top graphic design recruitment agency, like Artisan, to expand your options—and, hopefully, your bank account—to keep your cash flowing. Every business, however modest or dominant, needs consistent cash flow to operate profitably.
Graphic designers and all other creative freelancers are subject to the same cash flow principles, as are Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Your ideal cashflow level may, or may not, be achievable in the short-term. Stay focused and confident. As the recession rebound escalates, the demand for freelance graphic designers will follow suit.
Sure, even the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16 percent growth, but also predicts equally increased competition for the best freelance creative jobs. So? If you believe you are among the elite at your chosen profession, stay the course.
Be firm and flexible at the same time. Use New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Chicago talent agency resources to the maximum. Continue to perfect your craft and skills, while extending your freelance marketing efforts. Your ability and persistence should be handsomely rewarded.
