Slightly questionable titles aside, the time has come where on Monday I embark on my final semester of University and after some 17 odd years in the education system the remaining four months carry a conflict.
On one side of the argument I couldn’t be more excited to charge into the big wide world and start living the dream that has been 17 years in the making. However this nervous excitement seems to be championed currently by what will no doubt be a punishing final semester punctuated by Red Bull and sleepless nights.
Designing products that people love and solving problems with creative thinking seems to be something I have been passionate about forever, and from the age of 15 there really was no doubt I would pursue Industrial Design as a career. I feel I have worked hard in the last 4 years for the grades I have recieved but my problem now boils down to “How do I get potential employers to see the metric butt-load of work that has gone into the projects and the passion I have for it?”
Thus, “Selling Yourself.”
First impressions count for a lot I know but a pressed shirt and a smile will only go so far. Everyone seems to know a fairytale story about someone who got picked up straight out of Uni and placed into his or her dream job. However the main character of these stories seem to be an ex-flatmate, friend-of-a-friend, cousins-friends-uncle-twice remove etc… anyway you get that they all begin to seem like urban legends.
My goal is to be a legend of reality, not fiction, and hopefully four months from now there will be a post informing you that my pressed shirt, smile, and one or two impassioned, articulate, speeches/interviews opened the necessary doors to meaningful and rewarding employment.
Must go now. Time to make it happen.
Jerry said,
July 11, 2008 @ 3:41 am
A pressed shirt? you have an iron?, I know, I’ve seen you use it. but your on the correct track. first impressions do count as you say, the market place now has special eye liners for people who have cancer and lost there hair (I should try that as I have lost hair but that maybe because I have a son at uni) this helps them make ones self look good and confident about going for what ever they wish to persue in life. with myself having had 16 years in sales you have four golden rules. They are:
# Look good and be confident.
# Dress appropreley for the type of interveiw (don’t over dress)
# Have examples/samples of what you have achevied
# And MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SELLING, yourself and your work. Remember ask open ended questions WHAT, WHY HOW, WHEN ect and you won’t go wrong.
Your attatude would indicate to me that in your last paragraph is the goal that you have maintained through out your uni life with outstanding results. good luck and enjoy life..