Portfolio
pmathews (77 points) | Sun, 2010-01-31 14:57Alright so i wasn't sure if this is the place to post this but I've gotten some great feedback on my other work here and would really like to get some idea of how to make this stronger before showing it to potential employers.
I graduated a year ago so some of the work here is student work but most is not I find that I tend to leave out my student work as I feel I have come a long way sense. The first four pages are probubly going to be included with my cover letter and resume in printed form mailed to the company. Currently I am looking to apply to some ad agencies for entry level design positions. After that are some pages of work that I wasn't sure to enclude. Some of it is just to simalar to work I have included. Just wanted an opinion as to if some peices I haven't included have a place.
Im sorry if this isn't the place to post something like this I would just like any feedback on my body of work. thank you for taking the time to look at this I know its a lot.
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| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Portfolio1.pdf | 1.6 MB |
Interesting. Here are my observations - you can take them as recommendations if you wish (or not:). Your included work seems fine to me, but I wouldn't include the woodwork (hey - nice table, though) or the gas tank art. While both are creative, I don't think either will help you get a job (except maybe at a sign shop) and they confuse the issue a little - someone might wonder if your real love is graphics or woodwork. The other "optional" pieces are also the weaker ones - so don't use them unless absolutely necessary - more (quality) schoolwork would be a better idea.
So far as the resume, you're making the classic student mistake - putting the education at the top. That's residue of your former life when school was the number one pursuit in your life. Now you're a graphic artist and your job experience is most important - put that at the top. Then order the work related stuff differently - the 2 graphic jobs at the top, then the freelance stuff, then summer employment last - the graphics jobs are most important so freelance work outside jobs. Remove the roofing assistant and bagger jobs - they won't help at all and just make you look inexperienced. After you land your next graphics position and add it to the resume - drop all the summer jobs from the list. What you have labeled as "experience" (at the bottom) is actually your skill set. Not sure what the label should be - but not "experience". Experience is your job history - not your skill set. I'd put that list under "Studies" or include all of it in one whole idea somehow - either way it belongs near the bottom somewhere.
You might also include an objective statement at the top - something like "My objective is to learn everything in the world about graphics, become a millionaire and sleep with Jessica Alba" only more serious and leave out the Jessica Alba part. Objectives are useless imho, except when it comes to filling space on a newbie's blank resume - just make it sound intelligent and motivated - like you can't wait to get to work in their sweatshop. Then at the bottom you can add "Portfolio and references available upon request" or something like that - just another line to beef up the page a little. Another page filler could be to add a description line about the companies where you worked - "RSD Graphics is a sign shop in Hoboken that specializes in Port-O-San advertising - they've been in business for 30 years." (or whatever). You could also flesh out your duties on the job a little as well - that's what potential employees want to know - what you've done in the business. They don't care that you were a roofing assistant for 3 months.
In general, you want a resume to include all the important info, no extraneous stuff and don't bore the reader with filler. In the beginning, you need a little filler to make it look good - but trim the fat and keep it lean once you get your career going.
As always - jmho.
That's awesome advice. I totally agree with everything you said.
Mara
Thank you for the compliment, Mara. Someone was questioning my critical input, so I figured it was time to step up the game a little. ;-)
BTW, I do have a nice streak going when it comes to resumes. Every resume I've ever done has led to the job offer. That's every resume - for over 20 years now. It's gotten so I'm afraid to do resumes for people because eventually one will kill the streak.
First at all, get life for your business!
Your BC was very 80's I can't believe you're younger than Mr. Qwertyale. xD
Please try to create more vivid stuffs.
Why not your background could bring us action like this:
forgot for a while the boring Apple black&white box view of life. sometimes it doesn't work.
yes I'm brazilian xD
First, ditto everything Art said, with one exception. "Objective Statements" are the norm, and truthfully are a little done to death. The essentially communicate what you are looking for. I prefer the "Professional Profile." Instead of starting your resume/portfolio with what you want, lead with what you can offer. See: http://landing-the-job.learnhub.com/lesson/2455-writing-a-professional-profile
It's another approach, and may not be appropriate, especially if you haven't racked up any solid achievements yet, but why give the hiring manager the same old same old that they expect?
Second, I dig the slick look of your snowboard, but do you really want to lead your portfolio with something as basic as racing stripes? The book is the most telling work, in my opinion. It involves the largest amount of varied design. Is there more of that you can show?
Actually we agree in that respect - objective statements are the norm. It is my opinion however, that they are worthless. And I think you're coming around on that one too when you say they've been "done to death". These days there really is no need for one - I haven't had one since my first job and nobody misses it.
Thank you for your comments. They helped a lot. Art I hope that record goes for resumes you crited as well.
SASA
Hi Paul,
Could you please tell me HOW you got your portfolio down to only 1MB? The pictures have not rasterized on you and are still legible. I'm trying to put mine together and even though I have 1mb images imported into InDesign the quality is awful. It's driving me insane. If it is ever resolved I hope to post it here and have some feedback.
Cheers.