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Posts Tagged ‘career guidance’
Are Creative Placement Agency Jobs “Real” Jobs?
3/19/2012 3:26 PM By Artisan
When you obtain a job through a creative placement agency, you may wonder if you should consider it the same as any other “real” job you have worked in the past. While some jobs you obtain through creative staffing agencies are not salaried or permanent, they are still real jobs. You will work under similar expectations of other creative jobs in the industry, and you will be paid for your time. The only difference between creative placement agency jobs and other jobs is that the job search process is much easier when you use an agency.
Creative placement agencies can place talented individuals in temporary, permanent and contracted positions. Depending on the nature of the position, the structure of the job will be different. Temporary and permanent positions will operate similar to temporary or permanent positions you have worked in the past. Contracted positions will function according to the terms of the contract you sign.
Working with a boutique staffing resource is an excellent way to land real jobs without engaging in an extensive search process. Instead, you will simply provide the placement agency with information about your skills and experience. The agency will then compare this information to the needs of its client base in order to find you work that is best suited to their needs. When you have fulfilled the responsibilities of your position, you can return to the agency to find more “real” jobs that are compatible with your skills, experience and preferences.
If you are a talented professional looking for an easy way to get jobs without hours of research, creative placement agencies are the way to go. In fact, some creative agencies, including Artisan, even offer valuable benefits such as health insurance. Creative staffing agencies allow freelancers to enjoy the benefits of a real job without the stresses that accompany standard full-time work. For this reason, many creative talent are choosing to work with these agencies instead of looking for jobs on their own.
Amanda M is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
Three Myths About Interactive Design and Web Development
1/19/2012 2:52 PM By Vince Font
Being a full-time Interactive Designer doesn’t mean you know all there is to know about building the perfect website. Believe it or not, there are tons of professional ecommerce Web Developers out there operating on totally false principles, completely obliviously. The real trouble with this is that buying into certain myths can turn a potentially fabulous designer into a mediocre one. Here are three common myths that Web Developers all too often take as gospel.
Too much white space makes a website look empty.
Wrong. While we’ll admit that too much white space can be a bad thing, it all depends on what your definition of too much is. Some people’s idea of the ideal website design is one that doesn’t waste a single solitary pixel. But as you might imagine, taking this approach can result in an incredibly unattractive and cluttered site. When used properly, white space can make a web page more digestable and leave a user with a far more positive impression of a brand or product.
Quality content isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Occasionally, you’ll hear someone ranting about how unimportant online content is by pointing to a popular website with zero content as a perfect example. The only thing is, situations like these are total anomalies and ecommerce Web Developers have to understand this. Effective interactive design balances quality content with quality layout and visuals. If one or the other falls out of balance, the whole site’s integrity is shot. Well-developed content may not be the only determining factor that gets someone to come to your website, but it can play a huge role in keeping them there long enough to make a purchase and often ensures they’ll come back again.
Copying a proven model will work every time.
This isn’t really a dangerous myth as much as it is a time-wasting one. Far too many people believe that they can take shortcuts to website preeminence by blindly following the example put forth by far more visible websites. The only problem is, that’s breaking one of the very basic tenets of organic interactive design. The most successful websites got to be that way as a result of trial and error, and years of making tweaks that not only took user feedback into account but that also anticipated the wants and needs of future users. Copying someone else’s model is like copying someone else’s Bingo sheet pattern. It just doesn’t work.
If you’re having trouble finding work as a full-time Interactive Designer, take heart. Even though companies hiring Interactive Designers and ecommerce Web Developers may seem few and far between, there are still ways to make money on the full-time or freelance market. Artisan is a creative staffing company that has established clients who are regularly seeking developers and designers for full-time and lucrative freelance projects.
How to Answer the Most Frequently Asked Job Interview Question
1/16/2012 3:13 PM By Vince FontEveryone’s always looking for new and innovative job interview techniques. But the fact is, job interviews haven’t really changed much; they have no need to. Therefore you’d think it wouldn’t be that tough to learn how to ace them, but still we all struggle sometimes. For example, one of the most frequently asked job interview questions—“Tell us about yourself”—is one that many people find the most difficult to answer.
Why? Because very few people are comfortable divulging personal details to strangers. If this sounds like you, then it’s very possible you’re going about answering that question in the entirely wrong way. Your potential bosses don’t want to know how you like to spend your Saturday nights. What they’re asking for is a fleshed out picture of the “professional you.”
Here are a few tips to help you answer the most common of all job interview questions.
• Come up with a list of talking points that speak to your work life and leave out personal details.
• Include statements and circumstances that exemplify your passion for what you do.
• Discuss what drove you to pursue your career, and what’s driven you to apply for the job you’re applying for.
• Work in a statement about your talents and abilities without sounding cocky, but don’t shy away from letting a potential employer know that you think you’re worth hiring.
It’s also important that you not go on too long with your answer. One of the most effective job interview techniques is to give them what they want without overstaying your welcome, but also without being monosyllabic or too short. Aim for an answer that takes you a full minute to deliver and you’ll nail it.
Tips to Keeping Your Resume Locked and Loaded
1/4/2012 2:01 PM By Vince FontA lot of jobseekers aren’t aware that keeping their resume up to date is critical. The fact is, if you’re a freelancer for instance, you can go for months at a time from one job to another, not needing to provide your resume. Then all of a sudden, a potential client asks for it. If you haven’t worked on your resume in nearly a year, this can induce something akin to panic. But if you take action now, you won’t have to rely on scouring the web for freelance writing resume samples at the last minute. Here are a couple of tips to help you out.
• Get yourself signed up with a creative staffing agency. One of the benefits of being represented by a recruitment firm like Artisan is that we’ll assign you a Talent Representative who will go through your resume and make suggestions on how you can improve it. They may also remind you what key points to mention on your resume from your last gig. Having this free service at your disposal can be an invaluable tool to helping you land future copywriter freelance jobs, graphic design jobs or any other kind of gig you’re qualified for.
• Dedicate an hour per week to working on your resume. This may not seem like much, but in the long run it can make all the difference between being able to spring a job opportunity and missing out because you didn’t have your act together.
• Keep a text copy of all job postings for projects you get hired for. Even those who specialize in editorially-oriented fields like copywriting or technical writing need help with their resumes from time to time, and having these pre-written job descriptions can come in handy when updating your resume. The less thought you have to put into it, the better.
Even if it’s been years since anyone last requested your resume, don’t take this as indication that nobody ever will again. Use all of the tools at your disposal to keep your resume updated frequently so that if and when a potential employer asks for it, you won’t have to delay your response or rely on cheap resume samples to get you through.
Embracing the Unconventional: How to Be a Unique Presentation Specialist
1/3/2012 11:00 AM By Vince Font
In order to become a truly successful Interactive Presentation Specialist, you not only have to think outside of the box, but you also have to be willing to live your entire professional life outside of it. What exactly does this mean? It means that you have to look at innovation as a daily goal and not just something to strive for once in a while. You have to be willing to adopt the kind of daring that’ll get you noticed by creative staffing recruiters eager to scoop up unique thinkers, as well as by the high profile companies they represent.
So what’s the first step to escaping the confines of the box? The answer’s simple in concept, if not tough in practice: embrace the unconventional. If there’s anything about your past experiences as an Interactive Presentation Specialist that screams predictable, you might have to take drastic measures to break away from boring conventions.
• Deliver a lean, mean presentation. If you’re given an hour, shave your time down to 45 minutes. People love brevity, especially when they’re a captive audience. Your ability to deliver a trim presentation that hits on all points and still leaves your audience an opportunity to let it all sink in before having to race off to the next important meeting of the day is critical to your aim.
• Infuse your presentations with wit. Just because your audience is dressed in business attire doesn’t mean they don’t laugh or appreciate well-timed humor. Why so serious, anyway? Your audience will appreciate the occasional joke more than you can imagine. The trick is to keep it in context and good taste.
• Take risks. This isn’t an invitation to go insane, but it can be seen as encouragement to take-off-the-wall approaches that people don’t expect. Like launching your presentation by telling a story that captures your audience’s attention and primes them for the nitty-gritty details of your presentation. Or incorporating physical props, as long as your audience is in-person. Just remember both the story and the prop have to be contextually tied to your presentation, otherwise they’ll come off as distracting.
Above all else, you have to be willing to stretch yourself constantly by exploring new methods and seeking out inspiration that could possibly lead to your next great idea. If you’re not at least trying to incorporate state of the art software and methodologies into your interactive presentations, you’re stagnating. And there’s no worse fate that could befall the professional Presentation Specialist than that.
Self-Employment Advice: The Importance of Mapping Out Your Work Schedule
12/22/2011 3:20 PM By Vince Font
If you’re working with a creative staffing firm to find freelance job assignments, you’re still self-employed. Even if you work through a recruiment agency like Artisan, where you may be granted access to actual paid time off and benefits, you’re still essentially a free agent, which to is music to many freelancers’ ears.
But beware, there are some pitfalls that you might fall into, and the need to manage your time properly is one of the most critical bits of self-employment advice you’ll ever get. It’s also the one that can make the biggest difference in determining whether you succeed beyond your wildest expectations or end up taking a job you don’t want at hours that conflict with your life.
Your first step to tackling the issue of time management is to assign yourself specific office hours. Don’t work around the clock or you’ll burn out. Likewise, by working around the clock you run the risk of slacking off and not getting things done by misusing flexible hours. Failing to keep a regular work schedule is one of the biggest mistakes that self-employed people make, and it can lead to a pile of messes including backed up work, missed deadlines and killer stress.
To help you accomplish this, get a day planner specifically dedicated to your freelance life. Every few hours of your work day, from lunch breaks to max productivity time, should be mapped out in advance so that you don’t fall behind on a project or deliver a substandard end result. It’s also important to plan days off for yourself even if you’d rather work. Taking a break from the stress of a job you love is another vital piece of self-employment advice that’ll help ensure your longevity and continued passion.
Freelance Design Job Opportunities in Indianapolis Buck Unemployment Trends
12/16/2011 11:30 AM By Vince FontWith Indiana’s unemployment rate hovering just under nine percent, hardworking Indy residents could use some good news. Fortunately, there’s a silver lining in every cloud and what sometimes looks like rain is often the precursor to a brilliant rainbow. Flowery language aside, the great news is that there’s plenty of work to be found, especially if you broaden your search to include Indianapolis freelancer positions being offered by major companies in the Hoosier state capital.
If you’ve got experience in web or graphic design but have had a tough time finding employment, or if you’re gainfully employed but simply checking out your future options, there are opportunities in the freelance market that might point the way to significantly greater earnings—even in a down economy.
The fact is, there are many high paying Indianapolis web design jobs waiting to be discovered. The trick is knowing just where to find them and utilizing all of the right search methods to gain access to them. One method of doing that is by going through Artisan, a creative staffing agency located in Indianapolis that can put professional web
designers and graphic designers on the fast track to landing lucrative projects with high profile corporations seeking local talent. Visit Artisan today to learn how you can discover Indianapolis graphic design job opportunities right under your nose.
3 Important Things to Know Before Pursuing a Freelance Marketing Career
12/15/2011 3:11 PM By Vince Font
Marketing Director jobs aren’t exactly what you’d call a dime a dozen, but there are ways that you can improve your chances of finding work if you’re willing to explore the opportunities that exist in the freelance world. Being successful at finding freelance work, however, depends on knowing three very important things.
- You won’t always be your own boss. In fact, you’ll have many different bosses as you move from one project with one company to a different project with another company. If you don’t thrive on constant change, perhaps freelancing isn’t your bag.
- Just because you no longer work for “the man” doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly have a lot of free time on your hands. Quite the contrary—because your success rate at lining
up future assignments is dependent on your work quality, you may find that you’re putting in more hours than you would in a permanent office environment. - Finding work will become a full-time job in addition to your marketing director duties. You can make this a lot simpler, however, by working with a third party creative staffing agency like Artisan, which will help you line up assignments that you’re uniquely qualified for.
Working in the freelance world can be just the thing the doctor ordered for many fledgling marketing careers. Not only will it open the doors to a whole slew of employment opportunities you otherwise wouldn’t have had access to, but it’ll also help you rack up the kind of experience that it takes many people years to accumulate. If you want to try your hand at starting a freelance marketing career, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Artisan Download Center Offers Additional Resources
10/19/2011 3:49 PM By William PirragliaAlong with some of the best creative jobs in the country, Artisan recruiters offer valuable resources to improve your professional achievement. Whether you are an employer or a creative professional, our Download Center offers tips that help you make better decisions related to your career and business.
Artisan is a graphic design recruitment agency—but it’s also much more. As the recession finally seems to ease up a little, hiring managers are expressing more confidence in the economy. As a prominent Chicago talent agency, Artisan enjoys the expanding job market in the area. We also maintain a commitment to help both employers and candidates construct a successful match. Generating consistent win-win results depends on more than just procuring job and candidate listings.
The company’s Download Center, with valuable tips on web design, print design and career advice, can be an important feature to expedite more profitable matches. Even the most seasoned freelancers will learn useful tips to make them more marketable. Employers can learn how to become more specific in their listings, write better positions and project outlines, ask better questions when vetting candidates and better target the right professionals.
Topics of interest to candidates include techniques for negotiating offers, constructing impressive resumes, using the best references to showcase your expertise and discussions targeted to different opportunities in major markets (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc.).
Employers can learn how to publicize web design jobs, better understand the qualifications of a superior web designer, increase their knowledge of the newest web technology and learn how to use social media to leap over their competition. Knowledge is power for employers, just as it is for candidates.
Use Artisan to find what you need to become a better professional creative freelancer. Instead of simply listing creative talent needs on job boards, employers should consider premier talent agencies to have access to the best creative freelancers. They can then use the added value options to make even better candidate decisions.
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.
