Analyzing job and personal specifications.

Recently I`ve been searching through graphic design job offers which are available on numerous recruitment websites. I`ve been trying to understand what requirements are most commonly specified in this adverts and think about my own skills and abilities which could suit them. 

Analyzing a graphic designer`s  job offers I realized that a great impact is put on communication skills. Apart from obvious requirements  like ability to think creatively and relevant knowledge on appropriate level,  skills like ability to manage own workload and work within set time parameters, lateral thinking or the ability to work collaboratively are essential.

Because I didn`t give enough thought to this part of job specification before, this time  I decided to focus on the ones which concern team work, communication and management skills.

In my research I focused on job offers for  junior and freelance graphic designers- the ones I could be interested in.  The job specifications vary depending on  the character of the job, but analyzing a few of them I was able to find a common ground for all of them.

I separated the requirements into four parts- experience, knowledge, collaborative skills and skills and attributes which influence the individual work.

Experience.

Nowadays relevant experience is vital in nearly every job. It is no different in graphic designer world. Some of the job offers cites a very specific requirements concerning experience- which is often of 2-3 years whereas other job offers mention just the field of experience which is required, but not the exact time span i.e. experience in using CMS systems

I have no working experience in graphic design industry but I could get an experience in some specific area of graphic design through college or work placement.

Knowledge.

Depending on a company the requirements concerning the level of knowledge can vary. I noticed that the most wanted is print production and the relevant computer programs knowledge. Some of the job specifications mention school degree, but that  is just minority of them.

I think my college is going to help me to get knowledge on appropriate level. I`m going to have to expand it though home study as well (i.e. through on-line tutorials etc) The internet is a great source of information on graphic design. On this stage of my study I don`t think my level of knowledge would meet the requirements specified by employers.

 Collaborative skills.

A great impact is put on communication skills. This helps in team work as well as dealing with a client directly. The ability to present ideas or creative concept is important too.

I think I am a person who enjoys  team working which I could tell from my previous job experience. I am not a leader type, that is why I`m not able to manage people in their work.   

Skills and attributes which influence the individual work.

All the job offers I have seen emphasize the importance of the ability to manage your own workload, great  attention to details, excellent time management skills, self-motivation and enthusiasm.

Over the last 2 years in college I`ve been learning how to manage a project and organize my own work. Despite of this experience I think that there is still a big scope for improvement. Last year`s ppd task concerning time management skills made me aware of the techniques to learn it. I`m still learning how to manage my time. I`m going to take a closer look to my time management skills  and try to improve it.

Unfortunately I am not a person who pays attention to details. Being aware of this and knowing that this a precious attribute of graphic designer  I try to focus more on details.

Summary:

The typical work activities for graphic designers include:

-meeting clients to establish the business objectives and requirements of the job

-interpreting business needs and coming up with a concept to suit their  purpose

-estimating time frame for the project

-developing design brief

-thinking creatively to produce an idea or concept

-presenting finalized ideas to the clients

-working as a part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers etc.

To perform well in the industry graphic designer has to meet requirements listed in job specifications. The most commonly mentioned specifications are:

excellent communication skills

ability to sell/present an idea/creative concept

ability to deal with client directly

great attention to details

ability to manage own workload