Feedback

As you may or may not know, the job seeking process is made up of an application with 3 potential outcomes: application progression, application rejection, application future consideration.

 

 

Definition of application : a formal request to be considered for a position or to be allowed to do or have something, submitted to an authority, institution, or organization.

 

Definition of rejection: the dismissing or refusing of a proposal, idea, etc.

 

To gain tailored micro feedback requires something sperate - a consultation. Some job seekers expect this and some do not.

 

Definition of consultation: the action or process of formally consulting or discussing.

 

Unfortunately a very low percentage of applications are suitable for the role they apply for, resulting non relevant / non-qualified applicants bottle neck and clog up the system and slow the process for genuine quality candidates.

 

The Freelancers' Ultimate Survival Guide during Covid-19

The Freelancers' Ultimate Survival Guide during Covid-19

Some simple, effective and actionable steps that might help 😊

Step 1

Visit the following Websites to find out key information about what support you are entitled to:

GOV UK Universal Self-employment credit

Citizens Advice – Struggling with living costs

Step Change – Emergency funding

Step 2

Get your work/life schedule and routine set up. We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep and regular good habits. https://www.coachingpositiveperformance.com/power-positive-morning-routine/

Daily, weekly, monthly planners can be easily found online.

Step 3

Signup to relevant job alerts and work based social media such as: https://www.creativerecruitment.co.uk/job-search and

@Creative_Rec

Apply accordingly but be mindful of applying for non-relevant jobs as this clogs up the system for quality qualified candidates.

Step 4

Review your CV and folio and follow these principles:

CV – What am I? What do I want to be? How am I perceived? A great way to test this is by sending your CV to 3 or more people and asking them ‘What do you think I am?' without influencing or persuading them in any way. This will give you a true reflection of how and what you are on paper.

Folio – If using a PDF, ensure you have an average of 5 pages that showcase relevant case

studies to the roles you apply for. Always have your strongest work at the

front, middle and last page with either 1 or 2 extra case studies either side.

Remember, if your work isn’t Pintrest quality then it’s probably not strong enough to showcase.

Step 5

Utilise your personal and professional network. I’d recommend at least one WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Hangout meeting or phone call per day - I was Zooming every day, now I recommend quality over quantity - maybe 2 or 3 well placed Zooms per week coupled would a few quality phone calls seems to work best for me. This can be with friends or co-workers. Make sure you are ready for an e-meeting at any time.

Bonus tips:

1.      Don’t watch more than 1 hour of news per day – try to only keep tabs on the positive outcomes. Use apps such as: https://nextdoor.co.uk/ much better for you!

2.      Try and mediate for 5 mins at the start of the day: https://youtu.be/inpok4MKVLM Ideally in a pocket of natural sunlight.

3.      Try to spend at least 5 minutes doing some kind of exercise – dynamic stretches, energy yoga, rotations, high knees, etc. Tune in at 9am for: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1 and try to go out if possible for 1 hour of exercise.

4.      Have as much of a nutrient rich diet as possible and get some good background music on if you can. Open your windows and get fresh air circulating.

5.      Be ready for when the market picks up! Now is your chance to research and get ahead of IR35, review your kit and home working conditions. Make an action plan for what you need to have ready and need to upgrade e.g. new software and additional skills to learn for when things pick up (and they will)!

I hope some good comes from the Covid 19. Experience, learning the importance of our health and sensitivity to those in need and more vulnerable. Better work-life balance and more home working for general well-being.

For regular updates you can follow me on: @deancousin

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CV of the week

Hi guys,

Been a while since I've had one of these....

This was actually a CV someone sent me for a Creative PM role.

East London

Saw some nice stuff down the road.

What do you think? Art or vandalism...

@deancousin

Liz Earle Packaging and POS

Hey guys,

I was in Boots the other day and look what I spotted - the new Liz Earle Naturally Active Active range.

I was really impressed with the high quality branding and packaging. Reminded me of premium alcohol packaging (which always looks nice IMO). I'd love to know the agency behind it.

Anyone know?

D&AD New Blood 2017

It's been many years since I participated in a D&AD competition brief, but love to attend the festival whenever I can in the hope to find some of the creative industry's best new talents.

What is the D&AD New Blood festival?  Ultimately, students from all over the UK participate in real briefs. The students are able to showcase their work, win the recognition of the D&AD organisation and hopefully snag themselves a job or internship. Find out more here. 

Here are some of my pics:

Surprisingly, the digital and motion graphic seemed to lack a bit of life and energy - from a design standpoint I was left a bit underwhelmed. 

Overall, advertising, illustration and branding stood out the most for me, but folio review is always subjective.

Special mention to the guys at: Edinburgh College of Art BA (Hons) Illustration. The work work high quality. The layout of work was stunning. All the students were on hand to answer any questions I had. They all had CVs, cards and websites. I asked who the tutor was and found out he is from a print background - I'd love to meet him or chat with him!

The only issue with the show being moved from Spitalfields was how hot and sweaty it was. I think the conditions made it quite difficult in the heat for the students - some of whom had traveled from all over the UK. 

Good luck to all who are involved. Feel free to contact me if you want your work showcased on my blog or follow me on twitter for the latest digital, design and creative news, reviews and jobs!