AD2 DC | Young Professionals in Advertising

Tips & Tricks: A Creative Cheat Sheet | Review Series Part 1 by Michelle Hurt

Let us start by THANKING everyone who showed up to the Tips and Tricks educational program on January 19!  We really appreciated speaking with several of you after the presentations ended, and have enjoyed the feedback we’ve received via Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks in the days since then.  From what we can tell, the event was a total hit and we look forward to doing it again in the future!

Stay tuned to this BLOG as each of the speakers post a review of their discussion topics over the coming weeks.  We kick off the series this week with Michelle Hurt’s presentation on:

Michelle Hurt: Staying Confident and Relevant in a Competitive Job Market

Based on some of the discussion that took place after my presentation, I’ve taken the time to compile a list of useful resources for you to download and reference at will.  You can find this and other tools from my topic at the bottom of this blog post.  (Please leave a comment if you have links you would like to share!)

I indicated during my discussion last week that I have been out of school and navigating the real world for a pretty short time–which is one of the main reasons I was asked to speak at this event.  I know how hard it can be for us newbies, especially with the economy we’ve been dealt at this early stage in our careers.  Below is a summary of my tips and tricks for making the big transition during these challenging times.

• START HERE

  “Action is the foundational key to all success.” -Pablo Picasso

  The main thing I want you to remember is that your career is more than the job you have or don’t have right now.  Go beyond updating your resumes and applying for jobs when you’re in-between.  WORK at your career even (and especially) when you are not working by ADVERTISING YOUR SKILLS and NETWORKING.

  ADVERTISE YOUR SKILLS

  -Keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date and get your portfolio online

  -Post links to your portfolio EVERYWHERE  (Twitter, Facebook, email signature…)

  -Create a business card if you don’t have one.  Something compact that quickly indicates what you do and how someone can get a hold of you.

  NETWORKING

  -For the obvious reasons: exposure and finding a job

  -But ALSO…

  Networking teaches you how to interact on a professional level — which is important as a young person just starting out.  The more networking functions you attend, the more experienced and confident you will feel as a professional

  Once you have established these two things – your skills are visible to the public and you are out there meeting people – you will be armed with a solid base to build upon your confidence and professional relevance in the job market.

TIPS ON PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENCE

Confidence feeds off itself

With each small step you grow a little more comfortable and willing reach a little higher

See yourself through the eyes of your colleagues

Take note of what they expect out of you, trust their confidence in you

Important side note—STAY ORGANIZED

Scrambling to find things breeds stress and anxiety.  You will always feel more confident when you are organized.

TIPS ON STAYING RELEVANT

Understanding you have more than one skill

Don’t pigeon-hole yourself.  Allow your path to change if necessary.

Figure it out when you are not sure

Avoid saying “I can’t.”  Ask for advice, look up online tutorials (click here), contract things out if you must.  You CAN figure out most things with a little research, and you should.

Volunteering and Pro-Bono work

This includes communications and artwork for local causes, as well as organizations like Ad 2 DC and DC Ad Club (email templates, flyers…).  In return, many will happily credit you publicly for your work—another reason to have your portfolio online for quick reference!

Honing Secondary Skills and Hobbies

Find ways to exercise those OTHER things you are good at.  SUGGESTION: Ad 2 DC Public Service Committee – volunteer to help them with their annual pro-bono marketing campaign. (Click here for more information on Ad 2 DC Public Service)

Contact Sarah Polli if you would like to get involved: publicservice@ad2dc.org.

Take brush-up courses and workshops if you feel like you need a refresher

Use your resources.  Many times your employers will pay for things like this.  Some of your colleges may offer free alumni workshops as well (The Art Institute of Washington does this).

“Before the reward there must be labor. You plant before you harvest.” -Ralph Ransom

Remember that your career doesn’t begin and end with a successful interview.  As a budding young professional, you should be exposing yourself to career-building activities on a regular basis so you can foster the confidence and relevance needed to achieve your goals!

• PRINTABLE MATERIALS:

  Print this blog post (PDF)

  Print slides from Michelle’s presentation (PDF)

  Click here for a list of tutorial links and other resources (PDF)