Worried About Landing Your First Job? Follow This Advice From CAT’s Top Instructors and Alums
The job market is better than it’s been in a long time, but finding employment remains tough for many college and university grads. If you’re still seeking your first career job, you have every right to be apprehensive about what comes next.
The good news is, you’ve got company. And Centre for Arts & Technology’s talented instructors and alumni have your back. Here, they share assorted job-search wisdom for grads and soon-to-be grads seeking that first big break.
Remain Open-Minded and Recognize That Your First Job May Not Be Your Best
Matt Redmond recommends keeping an open mind and not setting expectations too high for your first job. You don’t need to follow your career’s blueprint to a ‘T’.
“My first job wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, but it led me in a wonderful direction,” he says. Perhaps yours will too.
Network Like Your Career Depends on It
The best jobs often come outside official channels, which is why networking is so important.
“None of the jobs in my entire working life were awarded based on application/resume. In fact, I have never applied for a single job I had in my entire career,” says Martin Theiss, whose own career is the poster child for successful networking.
“You need to get yourself in a position where you are hearing about the jobs before they are even advertised,” agrees Deborah Lampitt-McConnachie.
Gabby Urban, another CAT alum, recommends attending every industry night you can.
Be Persistent
Recruiters “will not always go out of their way to contact you, even if they want to hire you. You have to make the effort first,” says animation alum Stephanie Richot. She would know — Richot likely wouldn’t have landed her current job if she hadn’t followed up with the hiring team.
Make Time for Personal Visits
Persistence means showing up, rather than hiding behind email or LinkedIn messages.
“Visit every agency, every producer, every art director and every editor, whose work or ethos you admire,” advises Grant Robinson. Taking this step will automatically set you apart from candidates who don’t take the time to meet face-to-face.
Pursue Mission-Driven Employment
At CAT, we advise students to “make passion your profession.”
Dale Berg certainly takes that advice seriously. He tells students to focus on pursuits that trigger their passion, even if they’re not second nature.
“Hone in on what you are most passionate about; then pursue it wholeheartedly with everything you’ve got,” he says.
Don’t Just “Spray and Pray” Applications
Take the time to personalize your job applications. Don’t just “spray and pray” as many applications as you have the time to send out.
“Most people now just blanket the postings found on any of the myriad job sites out there,” says Ryan Campbell. In his experience, personalization (and persistence) go a long way.
Take Skills Tests and Sample Work Seriously
Most creative employers require candidates to submit sample work or take practical skills tests, sometimes on very quick deadlines. Don’t slack off on these examinations, even if taking them seriously forces you to shelve other priorities.
“If you have to decide on getting a job in a studio or making it to your 8 am grocery store shift, follow the path that will lead to where you want to go,” says animation alum Vanessa Woodford.
