Tracey Fuller's Session Previews
by Bennett Holzworth, (0 comments)
Tracey and The Creative Group gave me these excerpts from two different articles that relate to her sessions (Portfolio Perfection: A Never-Ending Quest & Dollar Dialogues: Successfully Negotiating Rates and Salaries). These articles originally appeared in Tracy's column that she writes for Graphic Design USA.
Do You Have a Fabulous Book?
by Tracey Fuller
Does your portfolio make even the most aloof creative director sit up and take notice? Do those who view it immediately recognize your creative genius?
Consider the following questions:
Is your book well organized (or are your logo designs affixed to the actual t-shirts packed into your portfolio)?
Do the first few pages make an employer want to see more (or are they flipping pages faster than they are speaking)?
Are your samples conversation-starters (or do you keep hearing, ÄúAnd this is Ķ Äù)?
Assembling a portfolio that will win over potential employers is a complicated task. Your samples must be diverse enough to demonstrate a range of skills and expertise, yet the pieces you display also should work together to reveal your particular ÄúbrandÄù of creative talent. Following are some tips for crafting an impressive book:
Select the right number of samples. Too many pieces make your portfolio appear disorganized; too few suggest inexperience. What's a creative to do? Advertising executives polled by our firm said they expect to see an average of 11 samples in a creative portfolio, and they know whether someone is qualified after viewing as few as nine pieces. Thus, showcasing 10 to 12 items is a good bet.
The Compensation Quandary:
What To Do If Your Paycheck Is Coming Up Short
by Tracey Fuller
The Creative Group recently released its Salary Guide for creative and communications professionals. Inevitably, when people receive the guide, they quickly search for the average starting salaries for their own positions Äî and some discover they're making less than others who possess similar experience and expertise.
Then comes the question: What can I do to raise my salary? While it's important to earn the pay you deserve, compensation is a complex issue Äî some forms don't involve money. You may have more vacation time than is standard, or your employer may support your efforts to acquire new skills. Since most salary data doesn't take into account benefits such as these, consider the bigger picture: Given your work environment, earnings and perks, do you believe you're adequately compensated? For many, the answer is Äúyes.Äù For others, however, it may be time to build a case for a raise. Here are some tips:
Timing is everything. Take note of current economic conditions within your company. If your firm has undergone budget cuts or layoffs, it's not the best time to ask for a raise, unless you've recently been promoted or have assumed additional responsibilities. Even then, you may want to wait a while before proposing a pay adjustment. Instead, begin putting together a strong case for increased compensation. Then, when your company is on firmer financial ground, you'll be prepared to present a compelling request.
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