
The key to job success and satisfaction is understanding what type of work situation is the best fit for you.
Consider...
- What type of work do you want to do? Website design? Motion graphics? Photography? Create video games?
- What type of role do you want to play on a team and within a company or organization?
- What type of people do you like to work with? Outgoing and social? Quiet and focused? Somewhere in between?
- Are you looking for creative opportunities to run with, or are you happiest with assigned tasks?
- Are you comfortable thinking on your feet or on the fly, and making quick decisions?
- Do you want to work in the area or are you fine with moving?
- Will you need to further your education to get exactly the job you want?
The more you understand about your personal needs and goals the more fine tuned you’ll be when applying for and finding the work that's right for you. In a professional team setting work is a fluid dynamic and even the most solid constants can be get off course in some circumstances.
In the creative industries there is a level of sacrifice and compromise that school doesn't necessarily prepare you for. Focus on the average of what strengths you can bring to an employer vs. what makes you happy. Working in a commercial environment means you will be supporting the client vision, not trying to persuade them your vision is what's best for them. A smart freelancer may be able to choose clients that align with their own vision, but when you’re employed it’s not always possible.
Emotional intelligence and sensitivity in the creative industries is a very important trait. There are all levels of skill and ethic in the workplace. Understanding the nature of the workplace where you plan to apply, improves your chances of finding a good fit for both you and your employer. In the end, you must understand that the creative workplace is about gauging where your knowledge, skills, and abilities meets everyone else’s needs.