Top 5 ‘Next Steps’ Tips from Employers
Creative Arts East are heading up Kickstart East Anglia, a consortium of 50 creative and cultural employers across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire who are offering 6-month work placements for young people on Universal Credit.
During our recent ‘Meet the Employer’ sessions, delivered through the Kickstart network, we’ve gathered five top tips from featured employers to help you get started in your search for roles in the arts sector.
1. Do your research
If you’re invited to interview, help the employer see that you’re keen to work with them and that you know something about the organisation already.
Claire Somerville, Babylon Arts – www.babylonarts.org.uk
2. Go to arts events
If you’re looking for work, try hanging out with other creatives, putting as much of your own work out through social media as you can and making it known you’re available for work. If you can, pick up some freelance work by doing favours / design jobs for friends and family. You can add this to your portfolio and gain experience which might lead to referrals. If people can’t pay you, insist they give you creative freedom and share the work instead.
Amanda Rigby, Paper Rhino – www.paperrhino.co.uk
3. Make your CV stand out from the rest
If you’re creative, make it creative! Tailor your CV to each job you apply for and include links to examples of your work (if appropriate) such as a website or Instagram.
Ruth Campbell-Ekins, Metal – www.metalculture.com
4. Pick the work you love
When curating a portfolio make it a great portfolio! Consider quality over quantity. Select high-quality pieces that really show what you can do. Pick the work you love and try to tailor your portfolio to suit the job you’re going for by selecting content that relates to the job you’re applying for.
Amanda Rigby, Paper Rhino – www.paperrhino.co.uk
5. Networking can be fun!
Most people are just as nervous about chatting to new people, as you might be feeling and are grateful that you have struck up a conversation with them. Prepare a few open ended questions to get the conversation going.
Claire Somerville, Babylon Arts – www.babylonarts.org.uk
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