How to get hired: Advice from creative directors
You'll learn what recruiters and creative directors are searching for in an interview in this video. Learn the best ways to get ready and the major blunders to avoid.
The unpleasant truth is that there is competition in the employment market. There will be dozens of other excellent applicants for every job you apply for.
The fact that you might not be hired even if you are the most talented person makes it worse. According to research, half of interviewers form an opinion about a candidate within the first five minutes of the interview. Numerous elements are taken into consideration, including how you show your portfolio and shake hands.
We'll look at what recruiters and creative directors are seeking. You'll learn the best ways to be ready, what to do, and the major blunders to avoid.
After all, you are skilled. You've put in a lot of effort, and you know that if given the chance, you could do well. Thus, increase your chances of overcoming the interview's last, uncomfortable obstacle.
1. Have a viewpoint
Stephen Gates has conducted hundreds of interviews in his role as Senior Creative Director at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He anticipates one thing from them:
"Show up with something to say, some insights you want to share and some ideas of how you are going to make our work better."
He commented on his LinkedIn profile that having an opinion demonstrates that you have done your homework and are familiar with the business and its operations. It also enables him to observe how you convey your ideas and how you approach branding and design.
Immersion in the work of the organization you are interviewing with is the first step. Investigate the webpage thoroughly rather than only perusing it. Examine as many of their efforts as you can in order to begin developing a constructive, candid impression.
The next step is to figure out how best to express your views. You don't want to disparage their effort and come out as conceited. However, you don't want to merely provide generic compliments.
Accept constructive criticism. Take in what they have created and recognize its merits. Give a few suggestions on how it may be expanded or enhanced as well.
2. Take care of your portfolio.
Simon Manchipp writes, "I own a business." It's difficult. intricate. incredibly time-consuming. I lack time. So, the only goal of your portfolio is to dazzle me.
How is that accomplished? Manchipp, a co-founder of SomeOne, a design firm located in London, outlines his requirements:
"Ingenious concepts that are well created. And don't worry, even while that always garners extra credit, it doesn't have to have been approved by the customer. Give me your cut. The one that appeals to you.
The founder of the former design firm SuperFriendly, Dan Mall, shares this outlook. In his opinion, there should be more than "all the shiny results that everyone has on their portfolios." He would like to view "all the previous versions before you got to the final version that’s live."
"What makes me want to hire you is knowing how you think," he informed me via email. He went on to say:
"Show me every prototype you have. Show me the pictures of your whiteboard drawings. Show me how you repaired the version that the customer detested. Show me every variation that was left out. You'll probably receive a job offer if you can demonstrate to me that you can solve any kind of difficulty."
3. Discuss the rationale
Be ready to discuss why and how you made your work after showcasing some of it.
According to Nate Morley of Skullcandy, "it's not only why you're doing it but the strategy behind it as well, how you tell the message," in an article published in Inc Magazine.
"A large portion of it is the energy that someone gives out. When someone has a lot of creative energy and starts discussing a concept, it's almost as if they are overwhelmed with possibilities.
Manchipp suggests considering each project in the following ways:
What was the difficulty and how did you tackle it?
where it worked, why it worked, and what the outcomes were
Although it's a straightforward framework, it might assist you in explaining what he refers to as "the creative work behind the creative work."
Finding applicants who can explain why is another important consideration for Gates. One of his helpful hiring suggestions for landing a job is as follows:
Finding someone who can produce a fantastic visual design isn't particularly difficult, but finding someone who can contribute innovation, experience, and thought to the design's conceptualization is. Therefore, there is a 98% possibility that I will not consider you for a position on my team, even if you have the greatest portfolio in the world and you are unable to justify your actions."
4. Give them a direct look.
Do you recall the statistic that interviewers form opinions within the first five minutes? It comes from a CareerBuilder-sponsored Harris Poll conducted in 2014. We have little reason to think that this has altered much, even in 2025.
That number increased to 90% by minute 15, according to the aforementioned poll. Therefore, initial impressions do matter.
5. Express your desire for it
Despite its apparentness, this question frequently comes up when creative directors discuss what they're seeking. In an email, The Fix Creative's director, Louise Coaker-Nugent, informed me:
"Freelancers have a tendency to be overly relaxed. Sometimes it seems like they don't want the job. That has happened a lot lately.
"Get excited," Manchipp says.
"If you don’t want it more than the next person, the next person will probably get it."
It's time to attempt these recruiters' tips!
Although it's a challenging industry, new hires are being made on a daily basis. There's no reason why you shouldn't be the next one!
The good news is that there is a hint of frustration in a lot of the creative directors' remarks. Many applicants make simple mistakes that disqualify them. They frequently forget their portfolios or arrive late. You're on the other side if you fulfill these prerequisites!
Additionally, you may always go above and above. Use Envato's tools to improve your CV and portfolio. You may download as many graphic templates, typefaces, and other materials as you like to enhance your portfolio for a little monthly cost!
Of course, nothing can ensure success. Sometimes the opponent is simply a more qualified applicant. You could occasionally be interviewed for a position that has already been filled for non-qualification-related reasons.
I am aware that you most likely desire a job quickly. Don't stress over that too much. You'll have a better chance of getting recruited and starting the career you deserve if you heed the advice of recruiters provided in this video. I wish you luck!
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