A Step-By-Step Guide to Landing Your First Creative Role
Are you applying for creative roles but not hearing back? Landing your first role in the creative industry can be tough, especially if you’re just starting out or transitioning from another field. The creative sector is highly competitive, making it feel nearly impossible to break in without experience.
One of the most frustrating hurdles is the ‘experience paradox’: employers want you to have experience, but how can you gain experience if no one will hire you? It’s a vicious cycle that we’ve all been victim to - including myself!
But, I promise, there’s a way out. I’m evidence of that! I was trying to land a creative role for a long time. I’d send emails to people and companies begging for experience, with hopes that it would lead somewhere. Now, I’ve had multiple jobs that I’ve loved and opportunities keep coming my way!
So, if you're stuck wondering how to get a creative job without industry experience, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a guide to landing your first creative role in five simple steps:
Identify Your Career Goals
Start by being crystal clear about what you want.
What creative industry are you aiming for?
What type of projects or roles excite you?
Knowing your specific career goals will not only help you focus your job search, but it will also give you a clear direction to build the right experience, connections, and portfolio.
Work to Your Strengths
This is a step many skip. Working to your strengths means creating opportunities to showcase your skills, even before you land a job. Yes, we’re suggesting you create work for yourself!
Start by crafting your own live brief:
Draft an outline of the project.
Define the deliverables and goals.
You can also work on passion projects that align with your career goals. I started writing for no one other than myself - because I loved it. This led to me securing my first freelance role!
Whether it’s designing, writing, or video editing, these projects will demonstrate your talent, creativity, and initiative. This is key to standing out to potential clients or employers, showcasing that you’re a self-starter with a genuine passion for the field.
Document the Process
Once you’ve started working on your projects, it’s essential to document the process. Share your progress online for potential employers and clients to see. LinkedIn is my favourite way to do this - it's a professional platform where recruiters actively look for creative talent. I’ve been scooped up on here before so you can definitely be recognised too! Here’s what you should do:
Create a plan to regularly share updates about your work.
Be consistent with your content.
This step helps demonstrate not only your skills but also your persistence and commitment to finding a role in the creative industry.
Build Connections
Networking is vital in the creative sector. Make it a habit to connect with professionals in your desired industry:
Send up to five connection requests a day to people who inspire you.
Engage with their content by commenting and learning from their work.
Building these connections can provide insight into the industry and even open the door to future job opportunities.
Share the Results
Don’t just highlight your success - share the lessons you’ve learned from your passion projects and self-starter initiatives. Add these projects to your portfolio and repeat the process to build more experience.
Sharing this with your network will allow potential employers and clients to see not only the quality of your work but also your ability to reflect and grow. It’s about showing what kind of creative professional you are and the value you can bring to the table. Plus, I always feel inspired when I see people smashing it!
By following these five steps, you can break the cycle of needing experience to get experience. Creating your own opportunities, building connections, and consistently showcasing your work will help you stand out and eventually land that coveted first creative role. Good luck, and remember - persistence and creativity will get you there!
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