What Does it Take to get a Job with Creativity

Boring jobs tend to be unhealthy jobs. Many employees find themselves dreading Mondays, and describe their jobs as no more than an unfortunate necessity for a universal cause – to avoid the bleak fate of starvation. Yet some of us realise that we have a degree of creativity inside of us. It may be literature, moving images or music, most of which have people already living off these activities as a profession. So if you are confident enough turn your passion into a full time investment, maybe you should consider an entry into the creative industries. The creative industries are broader than the typical ‘music, writing, art’ trio that are bandied about. You could be taking car photos, trimming topiary bushes, or coming up with ideas for new toys. Education can be the answer, but it isn’t going to guarantee your personal success in these types of industries.

To start off, you need to narrow down your passion. It is always more advantageous to specialise in one skill, then to try and pass yourself off as a jack of all trades. Within the extremely encompassing range of fields, including dancing, acting, singing, writing and filming, it is crucial that you can demonstrate what you are especially good at. It is easier for the employer to hire several specialists, instead of somebody who demonstrates a mediocre capacity for a range of related job skills.

It is also likely your passion is not up to employable standards, and this is what draws the line between a pastime and a profession. Consider further tertiary schooling, but take great care on the teaching contents that they provide. Universities are infamous for their promotion of programmes that claim to help prospective students obtain a creative career. But the truth is they are usually too reliant on academic details, and the only way to receive actual practical training is by doing postgraduate studies – and this basically lengthens your time in schooling and more financial burden. It is much wiser to look into a respectable polytechnic school where the focus will be on technical training, which is what the industries actually need.

Keeping a good portfolio is of utmost importance. An employer will only be able to judge your potentials based on your own record of your passionate activities. Videos, sound recordings and images are what they will be looking for to determine if you have reached industrial standards. A great way to enrich your portfolio is to include entries to competitions, regardless if you have won anything at all.

Also, know that available positions within the creative industries tend not be advertised, as they are frequently filled by people that have been recommended within the circles. Should you find yourself lacking contacts within your desired fields, you need to start making impressions. Volunteer yourself as unpaid assistants for promising employers. Outdoing your competitors in a reputable festival can also draw interests from distributors.

Be advised, the creative industries is a job sector defined by stiff, passionate competition, and chances of episodic joblessness is all too common. Make sure you still hold another consistent employment before you start making that transition towards a more innovative career. Going hungry will not help you make greater art to impress.

Writing lyrics can be a therapeutic, and ultimately quite lucrative, way of getting into creative writing. With the right contacts you can get your songs recorded and they can supply ongoing royalty income if successful.. Unique version for reprint here: What Does it Take to get a Job with Creativity.