Professional Practice IV – Writing a CV – Part two

In the Career e-modules there is a section to look at for more information regarding how to write a Creative CV with examples and useful links: CV & Cover letters

We begun the session by starting to discuss about the different important points covered in the previous lecture about writing a CV:

1. Visual Style – Important for a creative person but also important not to abuse it
2. Cover Letter – No more than one side of an A4. Is an introduction of yourself that tells why do you want to work in that specific company. Why they should take you and how can you benefit them;
3. The creative CV can reflect a mix of styles such as chronological, skill based and creative, but the most successful are the all in one;
4. Length and content: it is good if the CV is 1 page but if it is not enough to give all the information, write no more than 2 pages;
5. Straight to the point and clear, put bullet points for the reader. In average people look at a CV for a couple of seconds before deciding to take the next or read more;
6. Education – it is important to describe what you gained from the Uni experience, #(summery of that)

We divided in bigger groups. Each group had to discuss on a potential CV preparation depending on the sector of interest to work for such as:

• Work for a design Company while Freelancing (my group) I would be interested in gaining experience of the design sector by working for somebody either part time or full time. In the meantime I would love to test the market with my own style and designs as a freelancer.
• Teaching
• Working in the Movie/Theatre industry
• Others

Work for a design Company while Freelancing, key elements of discussion:

1. Search for potential Companies to work for and select the interested ones
2. Write a Creative CV and cover letter to reflect that company: different design, typo, more accent to some motifs than others depending on the specific Company etc.
3. Be on LinkedIn either for employment or as a Freelancer – build connections
4. As a Freelancer it is important to have a Website/Blog that showcase your designs, description of who you are etc.
5. Be active and constant on social media in general: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter etc.
6. At least in the beginning I think it is important to contact some Agents that can represent you. It is a good way to get to know the market in a more secure way even though this means, at least in the beginning, less money due to the fee of the intermediate.

Fashion/Custom making:

•  Talk about specific fashion related skills

Creative Cv:

• Cad visual interior for your designs

Education:

• Important to communicate skills in writing rather than visually
• Important to highlight experience in this sector rather than other

Identity/Branding:

• Important to have own font

People look for enthusiasm and skills but key is team work, look how you can highlight this

While the groups were brainstorming we also had the chance to discuss for some minute with Es about our own CV, for those who started it already. I was pleased to have a positive feedback for my initial draft, and I am planning on finishing it in the next weeks for a more in dept feedback from her.