sweetums

Hi all,

I've been applying for many jobs over the last few months and most of them want a PDF of some work samples so I have been sending out the attached file. I have not had much luck so far, in fact I'm lucky if I even get a response at all, so I was wondering if there is anything I could do to improve it?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Liam

sabian1982

Welcome to the forum Liam- perhaps tell us a little more about yourself (perhaps via the introductions section of the forum) and perhaps link to some online examples of your work.

Its impossible to say why you aren't getting responses at the moment; it could be any number of things from your cover letter and cv to the actual work you're submitting as examples of your portfolio.

Pixels Ink

Hi Liam,
I don't see anything wrong with the PDF folio, you have a nice range of work in there.

Before sending off your PDF, maybe try looking at what your potential employer specialises in and angle your PDF more in that direction. If they specialise in logo work then make a big thing of your logo experience and so on.

I can't stress enough how much difference a good cover letter makes. It will often mean the difference between getting an interview and not getting an interview. Employers don't often have the time to look through every applicants folio so they will look at a cover letter first in order to gather the relevant info as to whether your portfolio is worth looking at.

In a similar way to the PDF, make sure you state in your cover letter that you have experience in the areas that the design company spend most of their time doing. Don't write an essay, make it short and concise. Its often worth speaking to a copywriter if you're not confident in your own writing skills.

Hope that helps a bit.

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dot design

Hi Liam,

Like Pixels Ink has already said, your portfolio is fine.

It might just be down to the huge numbers of people going for graphic design jobs these days, but don't let this put you off.

There is a post on my blog which might help: How to get a job as a Graphic Designer | Dot Design

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sabian1982

Ahhh i can see the link now- obviously some site tinkering goings on!!!

Lovin' the logo samples on the 10th page.

sweetums

cheers for all the help and advice.

I think I was just getting a bit worried that my portfolio was below standard
because of the low amount of responses that I have been getting.

I notice that several of you mentioned about cover letters and c.v's.
I have always thought that both of mine were fine but I could upload them
for people to make comments on if you think its a good idea?

Boss Hog

Sure why not, let's have a look.

Just out of interest, instead of working for somebody full time, have you ever thought about going freelance?

sweetums

ok here's my c.v and here is my covering letter.

Please check them out and let me know if there is any improvements that i could make to them
(please note that I have removed my contact details from the bottom of each as I prefer not to
have all my details spread over the net but that they are there when I apply for a job).

Yes I have thought about going freelance (in fact I have done a few freelance projects) but as
I only recently graduated, I would like to work in a studio around other designers as I know that
I still have a lot to learn, and I don't think I could handle being freelance just yet!!

sweetums

oh btw please also note that I do normally research the company I am applying to and tailor my covering letter to match what area of design they specalise in, but the covering letter I have uploaded
is the main foundation to what I send out!

Maddy

I would say that you have things in your CV that should be in your covering letter and things in your covering letter that should be in your CV.

Employers like clear concise CVs so should basically only list qualifications and work experience. Keep it very factual. I tend to keep it to one page in total with work experience detailing where, how long and what postion and education detailing where, how long, exam title, grade.

Your letter should be concise too just saying you are interested in the job and explain which of your qualities help you fit the criteria and say you see the job as a way of challenging yourself and as you wrote, you have supplied CV and portfolio. I wouldn't go into lengthy details of where you see yourself and what you've done.

To save space I have my name central at the top with my address, phone, email below all on one line.

That's just my opinion