Reflective Journal Entry 4 - You've got to start somewhere?

Week 4's online lecture asks us to think about our mentality towards finding jobs within our creative industry. It asks us to think about the way we will prepare for and handle an interview in the future and gives advice and insight into the kind of things we can expect. It also asks us to consider the more unconventional methods of attaining an interview with a potential employer and details the benefits and opportunities that putting yourself out there can yield.

The idea of gaining employment through a more informal method is really interesting. I like the concept of stepping out of your comfort zone and making it happen through sheer will and determination, rather than the formal process of searching job find websites, calling numbers and organising interviews. I think pursuing possible jobs with creative and unconventional methods shows the employer your passion and your potential for innovation. This too would make you stand out from the crowd of potential candidates as memorable and unique,

giving you a better chance of attaining the position.

This lecture reminded me of how Steven Spielberg began his career. At the age of 17 he forced his way into the film industry, no resumes, no interviews and through relentless determination and dedication he was given a chance to prove himself.

Where were they before?

Steven Spielberg

Networking is also an important aspect of gaining employment, though its hard to network with no prior experience in the industry. Industry meetups are a good idea, it would definitely be worth befitting from and I will surely take that into consideration when looking to begin my career.

Its more than likely I will get a job through the procedure of sending resumes and attending interviews, this isn't generally a bad thing, though its not too exciting.

I'm not entirely confident I would be comfortable in a formal interview type situation, I feel it would affect my performance during the interview. I think if the interview was hosted at a cafe and was light, casual and relaxed I would have the confidence to connect with the interviewer on a higher level.

The abstract questions that are sometimes asked during interviews came as a surprise to me and I can only hope my future employer asks me to design a coffee machine for astronauts.

I will definitely be looking at more innovative and creative ways I can approach career opportunities in the future. I now understand the importance of being passionate about your work and having a strong working knowledge of your industry. Also showing confidence, being open, likeable and presenting yourself as naturally as possible is key to creating rapport with interviewers, colleagues and employers.

References

Drullinger, D. (2011, July 12). Where Were They Before: Steven Spielberg. Retrieved from http://www.internships.com/eyeoftheintern/news/famous-interns/steven-spielberg/

Happy-Monday-Fortune-favors-the-brave [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cdn-media-1.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2014/10/Happy-Monday-Fortune-favors-the-brave.jpg