Last night I gave an impromptu presentation to a group of students learning the basics of Flash. Thinking of how to title the presentation, I came up with “Your Road and Mine”. My initial thinking in giving the speech was to give the students a look at how I came to be in the position I am now, illustrating how Flash played a role in it and how it could play a role in their life. After a few students started asking questions during the presentation, it became clear to me that technology wasn’t a good basis for the discussion. Their main concern was how do I get a job at company X. So I diverted my talking to cover that topic. Below are the main points, which I think are beneficial to anyone looking for a job.
Who you know is everything. The more people you know that are in the industry that you want to be in, the more opportunities you can have. You never know if the person sitting next to you is going to change your life.
Resumes are nothing in design/development jobs, an online portfolio is a must. In looking at canidates, the first thing I want to see is a portfolio. Where you worked, who you worked with, it doesn’t matter. The quality of your work is the determinant.
Typically, if you have sent in a portfolio and the company contacts you, you have a chance at the job. At this point a company has already looked at your work and is interested, it is up to you to sway them. I pointed out if you interviewed, find out what they are about, go home and design or develop something for them, then the next day follow up with them and send what you created.
Show enthusiasm. If you want a job, let the company know. People want to work with someone that is eager, excited, and willing to put forth a great effort. To the opposite of that, don’t show lack of enthusiasm or an ego. No matter how good you are, people won’t work with you if they don’t like you.
Develop your core knowledge and constantly expand it. As with anything, the deeper your knowledge of the subject the more valuable you are. If you truely grasp what you are doing, you will stand out versus someone that understands just the surface layer.
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