How Not to Get a Job!

Image courtesy of Thinkstock

A week ago now I got a call amongst the numerous ping of new email and every other bleep beep that goes on in the studio. The entire conversation lasted only a few seconds...

Ring Ring...

Me: Hello R27
Caller: Got any jobs going?
Me: Not at present ca,
- and before I had time to say anything else
Caller: Cheers Mate.

Dead tone......

Now I don't know if this was a joke, if it was fair play. However if it wasn't I hope you're reading this...

I'm not your mate and I don't care to be, I could have been your future employer for all you know.

How about you introduce yourself by telling me your name, what you do and what kind of work you're looking for and then waiting for me to ask you something in return. Even if there wasn't a suitable position/opening for you now they may be next month. So you could have told me what you were interested in, left your details with me and/or emailed your details over with your CV. At least I could if I wanted to, get in touch with you again. What you left behind was an anonymous memory of a call without making a connection, maybe it's best I don't know who you are... You sounded like you were in your 20s so you do have time to change, please do so quickly!

Is it just me or am I asking for too much?

Whatever area of employment you're looking for manners and communication skills go a long way. It's what we hear or see before we've even met that can make a difference and it won't be found in your portfolio.

Don't forget to focus on your basic skills.... creating great designs is only half of your job for the most part it's about communicating, negotiating, building relationships that have a chance of lasting and leaving crumbs that someone will hopefully want to follow.

Your thoughts?

Any similar experiences?

Please tell me this doesn't happen too often and restore my faith in people....

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