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03.12.08 | Posted by Scott Pryor
Where has all the care gone?
If you can't brand you, how then can you expect to brand them? |
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As is the case in our business, we grow our staff carefully. Of late, we've proven that our current and future workload is growing at a pace that requires us to add staff. Specifically, we're looking for designers. Not being located in one of the "design cities" (i.e. New York, Chicago, Minneapolis) we tend to pull from talent that's in our area. So we do the usual: talk to peers, spread the word, make mention on our site, and place postings on CA and AIGA. We like to think we're pretty well-known in our region and that we present ourselves in a way that makes working here attractive. Add to that the current state of the economy in Michigan and the U.S. in general, one would think that interested candidates would show lots of care. Not so...
It's amazing how little care people take when they reach out to potential employers. And it's especially surprising in our category where the "details" are often what set you apart. Granted, we ended up with a handful of very talented individuals to fill our void. But it was the mass of mediocrity that really got me worried. As requested, interested candidates were asked to submit (via email) a resume and PDF work samples. Naturally, the resume is the first thing we evaluate. Out of every 10 resumes, I'd say no less than 8 of them repulsed me. And it had nothing to do with content... most were a typographic nightmare. And, to me, it's indicative of those that are now the face of our industry.
Granted, in the design field, I'm a bit of an old-timer. Back in the day, I lugged around a portfolio to show potential employers rather than the usual attached PDF and resume. But even "back then" I conjured up a level of care that got me an offer on my very first showing. Containing what I thought was pretty good student and freelance work was a portfolio case that I made from scratch out of solid oak. Dove-tailed corners, clear-coated just so, piano hinges, the works. Yes, it weighed enough to be simply dangerous, but it showed I cared. I cared about my future. I cared about the work contained within it that I poured over for years. And that I cared deeply about the design profession in general.
Please know I care less about the fact that we had to try so hard to sift through loads of candidates that were sub-par. I'm much more concerned about the fact that we are all representing the design field as a group. And if we care so little about the impressions were making when showing who we are and what we're capable of to peers and potential employers, how can we possibly convince clients that we care enough to passionately make their brands better? •
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