February 21, 2008 - by Craig Mounsey
Student Notes
We receive about six CV's a day from graduates looking for employment. No doubt about it it's a tough time. While the industry is buoyant, demands placed on graduates are higher than they have ever been. Positioning your portfolio such that it presents the right 'image' to a potential employer is a tough job. My advice is to pick a few carefully selected targets, research the hell out of them and write a very specific letter of introduction.
Having discussed this with peers in the Australian industry I would place emphasis on the following (in no specific order):
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Commitment to the Job
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Communication skills
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Sketch work - Ideation
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CAD (proficient in one or more of the big three SW, Pro E, or Alias)
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Thirst for knowledge.
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High levels of Innovation.
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Loyalty.
Of course these are well known, the trick is to demonstrate them and stand out from the crowd. Often you will be judged on the first three lines of your email or first images in your portfolio attachment. A good approach is to make an impact straight away then follow through with some substance. Good luck,over to you...
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