The Insider Archive
The Creative Worker Toolbox
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 25 - November 18, 2009
In October, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 10.2%. In Philadelphia, the rate has risen to an astounding 11%. A Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia survey of private economists this week did not offer much hope, "The job market looks weaker now than it did three months ago." What does this general gloom and doom mean for the creative worker? Opportunity. Creatives are seeing new contracts for freelance work and increased resources to find creative work within a company.
Obviously, creative workers have seen their share of layoffs as budgets for marketing and communications have been the first to go. Weathering the unpredictable nature of the global economy is a marathon, not a sprint, and creative workers are arguably equipped with the best arsenal to pull through successfully. Creative professionals have always been society's idea generators by their very nature. A hunger to innovate, to change a product for the better is part of a creative's natural talent. It seems now there is a shift of power to these idea generators. Those in the creative industries have an opportunity to truly unleash creativity and to change business, products, and services as we know them today.
Trying out Freelancing
The demand for freelancers and independent contractors has increased. As budgets tighten and employee seniority matters less and less, contractors are looked to for a fresh perspective on projects without adding much to the bottom line. By 2019, 40% of the American workforce is predicted to be independent contractors. That will be up 26% from today's number. Local companies in the Philadelphia region are responding to this change by creating new resources to find freelance work such as Technically Philly's job board and PhillyCreativeJobs.com . These sites publicize freelance projects to local talent and continue the growth of consulting dollars available in the Philadelphia region.
Following the nationwide increase in temporary jobs, creative contracts are also increasing, but not yet translating into permanent positions. Maria Sommer, Philadelphia Branch Manager for The Boss Group says, "We are seeing an increase in the number of freelance positions for creative talent. We actually increased our placements by 18% in October, and from what we are hearing from our clients, the need for creative contingent staff in 2010 will greatly increase over 2009. Companies now are finding themselves in a position where their work is increasing, and they do not have the staff to handle it. Â They are more likely to turn to freelance or contingent staff before adding full-time headcount so that they do not find themselves in a lay off situation again."
Not surprisingly, interactive media is the industry creative talent recruiters are seeing the most opportunity in. "The major trend I have seen as a recruiter is the drastic shift into Web and Interactive Design and Development. Designers are now expected to be well versed in both the front and backend software and languages so clients can hire one person to do it all. I receive job orders asking for a Web Designer but when it comes to listing what skill sets the associate needs to be proficient in, the fine line between designing and developing is blurred. Designers are expected to work in the Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign but also the Flash and Actionscripting, HTML, CSS and Javascript etc. Clients want the best of both worlds for a fraction of the cost and from one person," says Emily Nomland, an Account Executive for Adecco.
If you are creative freelancer, but not quite in the interactive space, the best way to position yourself to acquire new clients is to assess your skill strengths and especially your weaknesses. Ask yourself, "What skills do my projects require that I have to ask someone else to do." For example, print designers could take classes in web design to broaden their skills. Many area institutions are offering free classes to the unemployed. (See resources section of this article for programs.) "I always encourage candidates that I meet to continue their education if financially able to. If you're a print designer, take a course in HTML, CSS etc. Any web skill sets will only make you that much more appealing and in higher demand," says Emily Nomland of Adecco. Maria Sommer of The Boss Group adds, "Whether you learn web design skills, understand writing content for the web, or analyze best SEO/SEM practices, having a deep knowledge of interactive media will make you a more marketable candidate."
Tools and Resources to Find a Creative Position
For full-time creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and creative workers in transition, the best way to open yourself up to the most opportunity is to take advantage of networking, industry events, job boards, job fairs, and social media platforms. These are tools and resources for building relationships, which in turn, become an interwoven support network you can turn to at any time.
In addition to in-person networking, social networking through LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter is a huge facilitator for career relationship building. Not only do these platforms enhance your ability to communicate with a vast global network, but they also aid in building your personal brand.
Having a career-oriented blog allows you to communicate and share your experience, resume and portfolio. Blog content can often serve as the "central point of information" that others on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn direct to.
The ultimate job source and connector is Linked In as it is career-specific social networking. Try searching for your dream job title and check out the people in your network with that title. How did they get there? Connect with them and schedule an informational interview. Use the job search section. Keep connecting.
Twitter is great source for job postings and industry news. It serves as an alternative to the informational interview. By following someone on Twitter, you can observe their content and interact by responding to tweets and re-tweeting (or re-posting) their content. Tweet-ups (or events where Twitter users meet up in person) are valuable events for connecting with the community face-to-face without the awkwardness of a first-time meeting.
Ultimately, to weather this job market, a strong network is key. Building this network comes from a mix of in-person encounters and online connections. Use your skills to help people either while you are talking with them or by forwarding them an article they would be interested in. Be helpful and share your knowledge.
Following are a list of resources that Innovation Philadelphia has gathered to help someone to build a in-person and online network. This list isn't everything, but a great start to busting onto the creative industry scene. Good luck!
Local Job fairs
CreateAdelphia
JobCircle.com
Job Hob Nob
Philly Magnet Career Fair
Professional Diversity Career Fair
Low and Free Tuition for Unemployed
Bucks County Community College
Community College of Philadelphia My Degree Now
Community College of Philadelphia Opportunity Now Program
Montgomery County Community College
Mt. Airy Community Computer Center
Northampton Community College
Additional low tuition programs available in all of the region's community colleges.
Bucks County Community College
Burlington County College
Camden County Community College
Community College of Philadelphia
Cumberland County College
Delaware County Community College
Delaware Technical & Community College
Gloucester County Community College
Mercer County Community College
Montgomery Community College
Salem Community College
Job Boards
American Marketing Association
Coroloft (for jobs and online portfolio hosting)
Creativehotlist.com
Creativejobscentral.com
Dice
Idealist (for non-profit and volunteer positions)
Indeed.com
Krop
LinkedIn Job Postings (access through personal account)
Mashable Social Media Jobs
PANMA
Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
PhillyAdClub
PhillyCreativeJobs.com
Scriptlance
Startupers
Startuply
Events from groups with specific interests…
AIA Philadelphia
AIGA
Build Guild
Center City Proprietors Association
Creative Connects (The Boss Group)
Empowerment Group
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Industrial Designers Society of America – IDSA Philly
Ladies Who Launch
Mobile Monday
NET Nights at Moore
NetSquared: Net Tuesday Philly
PANMA
Philadelphia Flash Forum User Group
Philadelphia Standards Organization
PhillyCHI
Philly Ad Club
PhillyCreativeGuide.com Mega Social
Philly Startup Leaders
Product Development Management Association (PDMA)
Refresh Philly
Social Media Club of Philadelphia
Society for Marketing Professional Services
Sustainable Business Network
Usability Professionals' Association-Delaware Valley Chapter
Twitter Personalities Devoted to Jobs and Careers
@alisondoyle
@barbarasafani
@Barry_at_IMPACT
@careerdiva
@CAREEREALISM
@CEOCoach
@chandlee
@CrisJobCoach
@DailyCareerTips
@DaisyWright
@HotJobs_editor
@JobConcierge
@JobHuntOrg
@JobSavants
@JobSearchGuide
@JobSearchNinja
@KCCareerCoach
@OneJobHunter
@susanwhitcomb
@VaultCareers
@wendygelberg
@WorkWithIllness
@WSJCareers