January 29, 2010, Newsletter Issue #203: Types of Graphic Design Agencies

Tip of the Week

The word "agency" covers a lot of ground, and that means freelancers need to do their homework before deciding to let a graphic design agency market their skills. Here are some of the different kinds of agencies you might encounter:
Advertising agencies: Hire designers (full-time or freelance) as part of providing comprehensive advertising solutions to clients. May also include marketing and PR divisions.Design shops: Often small companies that specialize in one aspect of design (such as Web design or trade-show booths). May hire freelancers on a contract basis when extra work piles up. If you join one full-time, you'll often be expected to give up your freelance clients -- or bring them on board with you.Design staffing agencies: Provide companies with creative staffers much as a temp agency provides paralegals or bookkeepers. May provide some interesting work and a chance to scope out multiple organizations in your market, but ask questions if your real goal is to bring in freelance projects.Freelance directories or networks: Often Web-based, these groups can be small or large, banding together to increase their presence in the market and share work. May be beneficial, particularly if you land a project that includes work outside your area of expertise, but most are informal and have no one in charge of marketing their services.

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Jumping Ship or Jumping In: Making a Job Work for You

Sharon Potsch, Talent Representative with Artisan


You’ve officially designated your lunch hour—and every other hour—as Surfing Job Board Time. You’ve had it with your current gig. The fluorescent light is blinding you on a daily basis, you can’t stand your boss, and you’re sick of trying to beat your all-time-high-score on Solitaire during the dreary three-month long downtime.

Surfing a job board during your downtime is a piece of cake. You imagine yourself in these dream job descriptions in a much happier place: a peaceful work environment where coworkers always see eye-to-eye…an office where heated political discussions and awkward relationship dramas never unfold…a job where you move your bed into your office just so you never have to leave.

It’s easy to surf for jobs—the actual application, interviewing, and transition periods are not as easy. Writing a resume that gets you noticed (in the right way), putting your best foot forward in an interview, and settling into your new gig each pose their own challenges.

So before you wildly hit every “Submit Resume Here” button, let’s investigate why you want to leave your current gig so that you don’t wind up right back where you started from.

I Hate My Boss

Do you honestly think that Tattoo from “Fantasy Island” really liked taking orders from Mr. Roarke? I’m sure that he dug working on a tropical island but the walkie-talkie order-taking part was a drag. Lesson: every job has its pros and cons.

You hate working for your boss. She’s as warm as an Ice Queen. The work you’re doing couldn’t entertain a monkey. Are there other aspects of the job that could maybe be your version of Fantasy Island? This might take some soul searching and innovative thinking. Maybe your job offers you flexibility with your hours. If you have children, freelance on the side, or just enjoy being home before dark, that is the equivalent of Tattoo’s miles of lush green grass, beautiful women, and big tips.

Think about the parts of your humdrum nine-to-fiver that supports your lifestyle. You might find there are more benefits to staying rather than going.


I’m Bored

Boredom, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. You know you’re bored at work if your mouse-hand is cramping at 2:00 in the afternoon from web surfing. Come on, you deserve more than that!

Curing job boredom is up to you. Career advancement and job challenges are not served up in the company cafeteria. If your eyes are turning red from reading The Onion, it’s time to talk to your boss. If you’re saying, “Sharon, I can’t talk to my boss…” then it’s time to turn inward and think what you can do for, well, you.

Think back to your job interview. Remember all those snazzy attributes you proudly promised to bring to the table? What happened? Try and make getting up and driving to work everyday worth it by giving it your all.

Volunteer for extra assignments or conjure up new ways to make a positive contribution. If you love to write, but you find yourself proofreading, think of departmental newsletters or special-interest groups that could use your talents.

Think about career possibilities offered with your current gig. What about transferring to another department? Are there any great networking opportunities within your organization? Try to reap the most of your current situation by actively orchestrating change and career advancement instead of just hanging out waiting for things to change. You’ll know if you’ve tapped your resources dry…and then it’s time to move on.

Making the Jump

Once you’ve looked internally, volunteered for special projects, and offered help beyond the normal call of duty—and you’re still bored and miserable—it’s time to start looking. But make the days that you’re still working at your current gig worth it. You’ll feel satisfied for not wasting away 8 hours of your day. Maintain your cool, professional demeanor. Don’t throw away the time you’ve invested in your current job with mysterious absences for job interviews, or a slacker attitude. Even though you don’t care much what your boss thinks of you now, a good review will do far more for your career than a bad review. Don’t let a surly attitude prevent you from reaching your nirvana-of-a-job.



My next newsletter will help you with preparing your résumé so you can look crisp, polished, and professional for your next resume submission. Meanwhile, drop me a line and let me know if this article helped you out! You can reach me at sharon@artisantalent.com.

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