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Posts Tagged ‘creative recruiter’
Avoiding the Major Pitfalls of Brand Marketing
4/5/2012 11:23 AM By Artisan
Brand strategists are the people in charge of doing the heavy mental lifting when it comes to “selling” a company. They’re the individuals who are charged with operating effective marketing campaigns that convey a company in a certain light, and the people who are ultimately in charge of shaping a brand’s image. Having a brand marketing expert on the payroll can be very advantageous, but even companies who do can sometimes make serious brand marketing strategy mistakes.
The good news is, you don’t have to be one of those companies – not if you identify where the most perilous pitfalls of brand marketing are and what to do to ensure you don’t fall in headfirst. Here are the three most common mistakes made in trying to develop an effective brand marketing strategy.
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Not Being Obvious About What You Sell Whether you’re a green plumbing service or billion dollar insurance firm, your first imperative is to be able to readily communicate what your product is or what services you offer. Being vague is about the worst possible thing that you could do, and something that far too many companies – the megalithic corporate giants included – do almost on a daily basis. Put it in plain English in a manner that ensures there’s little ambiguity about who you are and what you offer.
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Trying to be Everything to Everyone This should be obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many companies try to expand the reach of their services and fail. Think of the aforementioned green plumber who’s known far and wide for his unique approach to environmental conservation and good service. Then picture what a bad idea it would be for that same entrepreneur to expand into the area of manufacturing scented soaps. A company that tries to stretch itself too far is also in danger of spreading itself too thin, losing their appeal as a provider of a niche product and losing quality in former areas. Trying to be everything to everyone is one of the most common brand marketing strategy mistakes that has the potential of turning a good thing in on itself.
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Attempting to Compete with Perfection. First things first, there’s nothing wrong with trying to take on the “big boys.” It displays tenacity and the kind of chutzpah that customers really admire. But there’s absolutely no way that you can accomplish this by offering the very same service or product that’s already much more successful (and probably far more competitively priced) than your own. If your company doesn’t have any idea how to improve on a product or service and can only offer the same-old with a different logo, that’s no brand marketing strategy – that’s a waste of time.
Brand marketing strategy experts aren’t perfect, but the best ones learn from their past mistakes. On the other hand, the best of the best not only learn from their mistakes, but also from the mistakes of others. Choose your brand marketing professionals carefully; take a long hard look at what they’ve been able to accomplish for other companies before bringing them into the fold in your own.
Vince F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
Creative Recruiters Aren’t Just for Finding Temporary Assignments
3/26/2012 3:27 PM By Artisan
If you are a job seeker, you should know that a creative recruiter is not just looking for someone to fill a seat or “get the job done.” More and more, a recruiter is looking for somebody who actually has real concepts and passion to offer. The job market has changed. When it comes to creative job placement, there are three key points to bear in mind.
1. Clients Can’t Always Spot Quality Work
Some clients know quality when they see it, but another client might not know what makes a programmer effective, they might not know what makes a graphic designer talented. They don’t always have an eye for this sort of thing. This is why you often see the lesser candidate landing a job, not because they turned in better work, but because they had a longer resume. It’s silly, but not everybody understands the job that they’re hiring people to do.
This means that these clients have to rely on others to judge who is and is not qualified. What is and is not a good resume. This is why a creative recruiter is so important: Somebody who identifies the clearly apparent value in a candidate’s work can be the gatekeeper between a skilled designer and a client who may need some quality work done but who might not know how to spot it when he sees it.
2. Selling Yourself is a Full-time Gig
Whether you’re a web designer, content developer or a freelance programmer, selling yourself to clients is a full-time job. Finding them, convincing them that you’re the one to hire, it’s really about 50 percent of the job. If we could sit back drawing coding, or writing all day, the job would be too easy.
By finding a lot of freelance gigs and even full-time positions for you, a creative job placement agency can make it so that selling yourself is just 25 percent of the job.
3. Recruiters Can Save Both Sides a Lot of Time
How many times have you applied for a position, sent in samples of your work and so on, and been told that it’s just not a good fit? Creative job recruiters help to clarify what a client is looking for and they can connect you to those jobs that are, in fact, a good fit. This saves both sides a ton of time by offering a little bit of clarity to a job market often plagued by poorly worded job posts. In other words: No more posting a proposal to every single ad you see. With the right job placement company, you only get connected with employers who might actually have some work for you.
In short, creative agencies are not just about finding temp jobs. They can help sell you to clients who might not otherwise “get it,” they can help you find full time positions and they can even get you access to a lot of jobs that don’t get listed in the trade.
Gilbert S is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
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.
Freelance Creative Directors Must be More than Creative
12/8/2011 3:03 PM By Vince Font
There are two kinds of creative people in the world: those who play well with others and those who don’t. The latter may have talent coming out of their ears and the ability to create jaw-dropping deliverables– but without the kind of cooperation that translates well to a professional environment, it’s a talent that no one wants to work with. On the other hand, a Designer who has command of his or her people skills can make one heck of a living as a freelance Creative Director.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that just anyone with a penchant for creating beautiful campaigns and the ability to communicate well can strut their way to a Fortune 500 company or top digital agency and pull off the kinds of killer marketing campaigns that freelance Creative Directors are hired to orchestrate. A buildup of specific skills is also required. By far, the most important are brand development skills.
Being a Creative Director isn’t just about being, well, creative. There’s more to it than being able to communicate your visions to multiple teams of people. It’s also about understanding brands and markets, and what makes consumers view a company in a certain light. In other words, a Creative Director is an artist who understands their audience and knows what they will respond to. The successful ones are also those who can listen to their peers, consider new ideas and effectively collaborate.
There are numerous freelance and long-term Creative Director opportunities available out there in both digital and print – it’s just a matter of knowing where to find them. By working with a creative staffing service like Artisan, you’ll be put in touch with companies seeking out only the most qualified and capable talent in the country.
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.
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.
Finding the Right Creative Talent Agency
10/11/2011 3:10 PM By Jeff Orloff
Chicago is one of the best places for freelance designers, writers, developers and marketers because like most big cities there are more opportunities to find work with equally ambitious people. Yet like in other places, there are people who take advantage of others and this seems to be happening more often when it comes to freelance talent.
Finding the right Chicago-based talent agency doesn’t have to be difficult though. If you know what to look for then you can certainly find an agency that will connect you with clients and help you build your career. Here are some questions to consider asking them:
What are some of the companies you have placed freelancers at?
Obviously you want to know who an agency has relationships with. If you prefer working with smaller companies and the agency only works with large corporations, you may not find them to be a good fit, or vice versa.
How long have you been in business?
A company that has been around for a while is likely one of the more well reputed Chicago talent agencies. They may help you get in the door with established clients quicker. On the other side, a new up-and-coming agency may attract local start-ups that are looking for less traditional talent who are looking to grow with them. Consider both sides when determining the worth of an agency’s age.
Do you offer any professional development?
Good recruiting agencies know that as much as they represent talent, their talent represent them. By providing access to learning tools, they make their freelancers more marketable and productive. Obviously, you want to work with an agency that understands and encourages this.
How do you handle problems your freelancers have with clients?
Not all freelance workers are going to get along with their clients. You need to find out if the agency will intercede on your behalf or if they take a hands-off approach when it comes to dealing with disputes. The answer may help you decide what kind of agency you want to work with, and also make you aware of how you handle conflicts yourself.
Fulltime Web Design Jobs Require More than Technical Expertise
10/6/2011 2:12 PM By ArtisanFulltime web design jobs require as much cognitive and interpretive knowledge as general creative/design skills. Web designers may or may not need cutting edge technical ability, depending on the nature of employer’s requirements. Typically, however, the design task list requires the following:
- Clear screen resolution
- Efficient image compression and maximum loading speed
- Consistent browser display
- Good navigation and architecture
- User friendliness
- Good CSS, HTML and JavaScript skills
To take maximum advantage of this job growth, web designers should also become proficient in, or at least familiar with, these disciplines:
- Interactivity designs and techniques
- Features that make websites “sticky”
- Branding strategies and campaigns
- Social media design and analytics
- Components of graphic design
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth knowledge
- General understanding of information architecture components
Whether you are a freelance or fulltime web designer, your value
will dramatically increase by having the full menu of skills. For
example, while you may not seek information architect positions,
understanding the components of the structure, capture, massaging and
measurement of data architecture helps you design better websites.
Web design is no longer simply a creative endeavor but an integral
business function too. The expanding dependence on e-commerce,
including other revenue sources (i.e., membership fees, subscriptions and newsletters), branding campaigns and content that informs and
entertains requires web designers to be business persons along with
efficiently using creative talent.
The blurring of the sales and marketing functions by social media
sites creates the need for designers to understand the vagaries of
business and commerce. Only then can they properly incorporate their
employer’s business and marketing strategies into web design functions.
Working with an experienced creative talent firm, like Artisan, will
help you take advantage of the many freelance and fulltime web design
jobs now open. These agencies often have a better understanding of
employer preferences beyond a simple job description. While you can
learn much researching employers via the internet, you seldom
capture inside information that is often available to creative
recruiters.
Why Indiana Design Companies Love Creative Staffing Agencies
10/5/2011 2:29 PM By Vince Font
If you’re seeking a website design job in Indiana, there’s nothing that says you need to pound the pavement in downtown Indianapolis with resume in hand to find employment. To the contrary, more and more companies these days are starting to lean heavily in favor of third party staffing agencies as a way to find talent. Why? The benefits of doing so are obvious.
- Companies who work with third party staffing agencies have to spend far less money on their own internal human resources. This isn’t to say that the job function of HR is totally outsourced. But an Indianapolis web design company can stand to save a significant amount of money in overhead if the duties of pre-screening applicants is already done for them by an outside agency. Considering that having an employee tasked with the job of fielding questions from prospective employees and weeding out resumes is a full time job, that’s one additional resource freed up to perform other important company tasks.
- Creative staffing agencies can afford to be choosy about who they represent. This can be an added benefit to an Indiana graphic design company that only wants to entertain offers from the cream of the crop of job applicants.
- Job hunters can be persistent. And when an Indianapolis design studio uses the services of a creative staffing agency to handle all follow up inquiries for them, they’re not just hiring someone to do the applicant screening – they’re also paying for someone to provide cover from overly-persistent candidates.
If you’re serious about finding a job in website design in Indiana and want to get your resume seen by as many employers as possible, double up your efforts by teaming with a creative staffing agency that can get your foot in the door with the highest number of hiring companies.
