how do you improve your career?
- Started
- Last post
- 27 Responses
- animatedgif0
"Always do more than your asked."
Doing less works better in some companies
- Haha, yep I know those types.
Depends on what you do with your time.qTime - I find this mentality to be so backwards. An efficently run operation will ask you to do exactly as much is needed. When you've met that, you should ask for more, not just do more than asked.orrinward2
- , not just do more than asked.orrinward2
- Haha, yep I know those types.
- monoboy0
Try this...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obido…And this...
http://www.amazon.com/Making-Ide…And this...
http://www.amazon.com/Rework-Jas…
- BaskerviIle0
Despite some of what's been said already, I don't think it's about being seen to be working all hours of the day and staying late/getting in early.
I think generally what people want is someone with good ideas, the ability to challenge others etc. People that just put in hard graft and don't really think much won't get far, they'll just get taken for granted.
I agree with 'make yourself indispensable' learn new skills that no one else in the studio has, learn 3D software, motion graphics, type design, whatever you need to expand your use. Then you become good value for money.
Also, it sounds silly but a boss of mine once told me that as a designer you have two clients: your actual client, but also your peers. Don't forget that part of your job is to impress your superiors. A bit of self promotion within the company can't ever hurt. Being too quiet about your achievements will never help, despite how awkward 'bigging yourself up' can be.Being know as the guy that always has interesting links and references to share is also a good thing
- shellie0
Just read this by Julie Greenwald and remembered this thread. She's one of my personal heros. This article is music industry centric, but much of what she's saying here crosses over to any industry.
- monNom0
This isn't so much about how to advance in your career, as how to not burn out of your career:
If you really hope to advance up the food-chain, you need to stick around a long time. To do that, you need to learn to pace yourself. Nobody wins a marathon by sprinting, and nobody can pull the all-nighter circuit for very long without a break. (either a vacation, or a break down in work quality, and attitude).
Time for reflection and outside inspiration is a big part of being creative. So learn to be selfish with your time-off, and pursue your own interests, whether design related or otherwise. Be careful of taking on too much freelance work outside of your 9-5 --the same rules apply as pulling long days over and over.
Personally, I'd rather a consistent designer that works hard and clocks out every day at 5:00pm than a stressed out designer that works all hours and produces either shit or brilliance depending on where in the sleep deprivation cycle my project begins. And If and when there is an emergency that's going to require some extra hours, the 5:00 designer is going to be much better able to manage that strain, because they haven't been going full-bore the whole time leading up to the emergency. Do this and you'll be noticed for saving the day, rather than for your bad moods after a string of late nights.
- randommail0
Start your own business after 10-15 years of professional experience.
Work towards this goal.