I know working designers are extremely busy people, even to review an email resume and some jpegs sometimes, but it it really that time consuming to hit reply and say “yes”, “no”, “cool stuff” or even “im busy right now”?
It seems I keep sending emails into a black hole, because i never hear back from them. To you working designers: what do you do with the email samples/resumes you get?
sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. in my experience, most of the times they don’t. i just got a reply to an email sent about 2 months ago, though!
I learned that you have to call them to get some kind of response…I got replied twice only, the first time it lead to an internship…the second time it also was leading to an internship, but then the company couldn’t open a visa for me…so I guess they reply only when they really-really-really like you. I can imagine how annoying it might get after a while to review all of those e-mail résumés…the cooler place is the more student junk they get. And they got work to do, too.
I learned that you have to call them to get some kind of response…I got replied twice only, the first time it lead to an internship…the second time it also was leading to an internship, but then the company couldn’t open a visa for me…so I guess they reply only when they really-really-really like you. I can imagine how annoying it might get after a while to review all of those e-mail résumés…the cooler place is the more student junk they get. And they got work to do, too.
I guess it depends on you luck of what kind of designer you send your work to. I have seen designers who can’t care less about pastering students. I have also seen designers who are keen to look at things outside their work because they think school stuffs give them surprises. Some are just plain helpful in nature. Some happened to graduated from your school thus becomes more helpful.
Yeah, you have to make the call. It’s important because even I don’t like to talk to someone I absolutely don’t know about. Even just voice can help you make the first big step.
Also, typically consumer product designers tend to be more short of time.
most times if job seekers don’t bother to follow-up, companies would naturally not reply…but looks like you are following up…
try calling the person you sent stuff to as well…sometimes that helps…
BTW love the head shots of your sunglasses project…
thanx guys. i really shy away from calling because im already sending them ‘unwanted’ email. but ive heard it again and again, so i guess ill just call to see what happens.
wish me luck!
I’m probably in the minority here but I don’t cold call at all.
-I’ll send in a portfolio teaser and email them 2-3 weeks later just to check if they recieved it. I give them time to let them respond on their own, they’re probably recieved 50 that week so it takes time for them to look at it, let it sink in, put it in their maybe pile, etc…
I also dont’ want to call and try to rush them into a decision. That just may be my personality quirk. I won’t shop at a store if salespeople approach, or I brush them off instantly. I like to be in control of my money and my shopping, and not being forced to make on the spot judgements due to salesman interaction. That’s how mistakes are made and you end up buying what you don’t want. If they have what I’m looking for, I’ll buy it. If I can’t find something or need more info, I’ll ask. My mentality is, if you have to sell it too hard, it’s probably something they don’t want or can’t buy at that time.
-Email is great because it gives people the choice of replying on THEIR time. It’s very “hassle free”. I would hate to lose an opp and get brushed off just because I called someone at the wrong time when they were in the middle of something or were in a bad mood.
-I’d guess that if my teaser shows what they need to see in order to compel them to contact me, then they’ll do just that and it did it’s job. If I don’t get responses, then it’s time to step back, critically reevaluate what I’m showing, and redo it so that it’s more appropriate. Either that or sometimes there just aren’t many projects available(for us freelancers).
-You have an even tougher job if you’re going for fulltime. You have to be seen as consistantly dependable for the amount of financial risk they’re taking and you have to catch them at the beginning of their quarters when they have new budgets to hire someone. All of your portfolio projects should be consistant in their quality level.
Now, the people I will call are those that I’ve worked with before (freelance) or have a direct personal connection (my friend/client/ex-coworker, etc… referred me to you…) That’s where that networking comes into play.
I wouldn’t really advise this for everybody. Some people have good salesmanship and could talk their way into a job without even having a portfolio (I’ve seen it done). I’m not like that so I tend to stay off the phone and try to let the teasers speak for themselves. Besides it’s probably a little easier psychologically, to read a rejection than to hear it.
As an exaggerated example: If you recieved that 2 page Astro spread from the 2004 ID review mag, I think you’d call them back if you had work available. They wouldn’t have to hound you.
D-flux, you’re corefolio looks nice, I dont’ see what the problem may be. I think some more “typical” ID type projects may be needed and I don’t think the offroad stuff is appropriate, but that’s for a porfolio review which this isn’t about. I think my portfolio is kinda crappy. My graphics suck so I keep them simple, drawing skills are just standard and I don’t have slick 3-d models. But my concepts are tight and appropriate for my “imaginary client”, and potential users. If you want to be hired to think and make decisions, make sure there aren’t blaring faults in design judgement. My teasers peak enough interest to get me callbacks and interviews. Then I get to smooth talk them in person.
-Make sure those teasers kick a$$ and don’t hesitate to do completely new ones and send them out every quarter. If it’s good, you should get some kind of response. Make sure you include a mailing address, phone number, and email for contact, some folks still send responses in the mail. If they give no response, not even a common courtesy email or form letter type rejection, I don’t think you’d want to work for them anyway. Good luck to you.
skinny, you just made it harder for me. since i dont like calling, you convinced me real quick 
thanx for the feedback though. I TOTALLY agree that the work must speak for itself, but so far the interviews ive gotten are from people i havent even sent my stuff to. the people i really want to work for dont reply. Is it because im emailing instead of teaser-mailing and its easier to ignore/dismiss?
What are the advantages of email over mailed teasers, and vice versa? ive resorted to email because of time and cost, just seems easier, gets there quicker, and its easier to just hit the ‘reply’ button in my opinion.
also easier to ignore email. and delete.
if serious, send sampler. nice nice nice one. design it. mail it - the oldfashioned way - direct to design manager. no one ignores nice mail. gets passed around discussed. use nice materials. your a designer. no store bought crap.
i wouldnt cold call for job. i’d select targets. maybe 20 places. make my samples and send with individualized letters. call after reasonable time. ask if received. if any openings. and opinions on work. then Thank You card for their time. more time and effort for that.
getting a job is a project. treat it like one.
Just like what ykh said. Teasers stand out, sit around, others get to see, etc. E portf is easily deleted, blocked as spam or screened out because of mystery attachments from some unknown person, etc…
Mail teaser then email confirmation or phone confirm after a little while. If you actually get to speak or e with them, then I’ll do an e-thanx. Don’t want to interrupt someone’s flow just with a thank you call, e is better for me.
I don’t send portf samples via e unless specifically asked to.
I don’t send portf samples via e unless specifically asked to.
Much better to send a link to your site or corefolio!
yeah thats what ive been doing and hasnt been working: my corefolio
i think ill get on the mail teasers, there is something about tangible samples and glossy paper that makes things look more interesting i guess
A lot of places wouldn’t even call my co-op advisor back. 
There are many black holes out there.
Oh my god…a co-op advisor, what a luxury!
Oh my god…a co-op advisor, what a luxury!