How to Land a Creative Job in the UK (Part 2)

How to Land a Creative Job in the UK (Part 2)

Hey everyone! It's been a minute since I last blogged, and since then, I've gotten loads of questions about how to secure a job as a graduate in the UK. So, I figured I’d answer some of the most common ones here. If you missed the first part, you can check it out [HERE].

As I mentioned before, landing a job in the creative field can feel pretty tough. With things like immigration policies, the recession, and loads of competition, it’s not exactly a walk in the park.

So, How Do You Make Your Application Stand Out? 

That’s probably the top question I get asked.

Honestly, it all depends on where you're applying. If you’re using platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, or anywhere that requires a resume, you’ve got to tailor your CV for the UK market and make sure it’s ATS-friendly (that’s Applicant Tracking System, in case you didn’t know). This means using keywords you see in the job descriptions you’re aiming for. For example, in my case, I made sure to highlight terms like copywriting, content, creative strategy, community management, and so on.

It’s super important to tailor your CV to each role. Don’t try to be a jack-of-all-trades. The hiring manager needs to see that your experience is directly relevant to the position they’re hiring for. And definitely run your CV through an ATS checker to make sure it’ll get picked up. If it doesn’t, you might need to tweak the format. You can find plenty of ATS-friendly resume templates online (Google and Canva are great for this). I personally had three different CV templates. Try googling sample resumes and it might help you assess better 

Also, don’t rely on ChatGPT to write your cover letter from scratch. It can be a helpful tool, but make sure you’re adding personal details about how your experience matches the role and why you’re interested in that specific company. Include some specifics about the company and how you’re a great fit for what they need. I once even added memes to my cover letter to stand out, but only do this if it suits the role you’re applying for! I feel that cover letters are the part where you can show your creativity and personality. 

What Should You Include in a Portfolio?

This one’s tricky because different people look for different things in a portfolio. If you’re in advertising, your portfolio usually includes campaigns for various brands. But no matter what, your portfolio should show who you are and highlight your best work. It should be easy to navigate and grab attention right away.

My tip? Invest time in creating a website portfolio. Make sure the first thing someone sees is your work or a clear link that takes them straight to it. If you want to tell your story, there are creative ways to do that. I once came across a portfolio where a person used a clickable map to guide viewers through different parts of their journey—a super cool idea. But, don’t spend too much time going on about what made you creative or your entire backstory. Hiring managers are super busy and probably won’t have time to go through all that. Keep it concise and focused on showcasing your best work. Personally, I had two portfolio websites: one for all my industry work and another for my university projects. If you need some inspiration, check out these portfolios that wowed me. Just a heads-up—these people have put a lot of effort into their sites, so use them as inspiration, but don’t copy their work!

• Chuckle Chums

• Steff Flynn

• HireShreya

• Oudotandleach

When Should I Start Applying And What Are The Best Platforms To Apply? 

If you’re an international student like I was, I’d suggest starting your job applications about 2-3 months before your course ends. However, I strongly recommend beginning your networking right from the start of your course and creating a portfolio website as early as possible. This will give you a head start and allow you to learn from any mistakes along the way.

Keep in mind that most companies won’t hire you while you’re on a student visa, so it’s important to switch to a PSW visa as soon as you can to make the process smoother. I was in the process of applying for mine whilst interviewing and made sure to communicate that with HR to avoid any issues.

When it comes to where to apply, there’s no one “best” platform. I’d recommend using a mix of LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and the UK Government website. You’ll likely see the same job postings across these platforms, so it’s worth checking them all!

You can also follow Instagram pages to keep receiving updates on open roles and positions: 

1. YCC 

2. Run The Check  

3. Creative Lives in Progress 

4. Brown Ink 

WTF is a Placement, and WTF is a Book Crit? 

A creative placement is basically just a fancy term for an internship. You can do these placements either with a creative partner or on your own. Typically, agencies hire people in pairs for placements, like an Art Director and a Copywriter. But when I was in uni, I teamed up with another Copywriter, and we created an awesome portfolio together. There’s no hard rule that you have to follow the traditional pairing. These placements are meant to help you discover your strengths, so as long as you have a strong interest in either role and can produce solid work, you’ll be just fine. If you think you work the best with yourself don’t be afraid to fly solo. ( The best way to find a creative partner is by reaching out to people and posting on your LinkedIn, there was also a website called Single Creatives that helps you find potential work partners but I am not sure if that is functional ) 

A book crit is simply a portfolio review. In traditional advertising agencies, graduates or anyone looking to land a placement are invited to present their portfolio for feedback. You might receive some suggestions for improvement, and based on your updated portfolio, they could offer you a position. While there’s a chance you could get hired based on your performance at work, it’s not a guarantee. 

Here are some agencies that offer placements:

• BBH Barn

• Adam and Eve - First Bite

• VCCP - The Den and Table

• Mother (The best way to find out who runs placements here is to contact someone who has completed or is currently doing one.)

• The Corner

• Edelman (Again, your best bet for finding out who’s in charge is to contact someone who has finished or is undergoing a placement.)

• Saatchi (Similarly, connect with someone who has completed or is currently in a placement to get the details.)

Additionally, you can reach out to creative directors or senior creatives at the agencies you’d like to land a placement at and ask for a book crit. Agencies like Mother, Saatchi, We Are Social, FCB Inferno, Grey, Leo Burnett, and Quiet Storm are great places to start, as I have seen people land Placements in these agencies before. 

Life Doesn't End At Creative Placements

Having said all of this, as a university graduate, it's easy to feel like you need to go through multiple placements before someone will finally hire you—I know I did for the longest time. But that doesn’t have to be the case! While placements can be a fantastic way to gain experience and earn some money, you should also consider applying for graduate-level jobs, especially if you already have some experience under your belt.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you shouldn’t apply for internships or placements. They’re valuable opportunities. But if you believe your experience qualifies you for full-time roles, don’t hesitate to apply for those as well. Don’t let the idea that you "need more placements" hold you back from going after roles you’re confident you can do. 

Have an Open Relationship with your Creative Partner

I’m going to make a somewhat controversial statement: while having a creative partnership is fantastic, I think recent graduates should keep their options open. It’s great to apply for jobs as a team, but also be on the lookout for full-time positions in your respective fields. This advice is especially for recent graduates and international students—not necessarily for those already working full-time as creatives. If you come across roles that companies are hiring for, I’d highly recommend applying individually as well. This way, you’re covering all your bases. My creative partner, Manasi, and I applied for positions both together and separately, which increased our chances of landing a job.

How Long Are The Interview Processes And What Should I Do To Prepare?

In the UK, most interviews have about 3-4 rounds, and they often include a task for you to complete. The whole process can take a month or even longer, depending on how quickly things move. When you get a task, make sure to put in the effort—research the competitors, explain why you made certain decisions, and maybe even suggest a few alternatives.

Also, get to know the brand you're applying to. Look at their past work for inspiration, and be ready to explain your thought process when you present. It’s a good idea to brush up on common interview questions and refresh your knowledge on any technical skills you might need.

They might ask about your favourite campaigns, the tools you use, or how you juggle multiple projects, so it’s helpful to have some answers ready.

Are There Any Tips To Get My Application Noticed? 

As I mentioned in my last blog, the best way to get noticed is by reaching out. Don’t be shy about sending a message, shooting an email, or even doing something creative like sending a box of doughnuts or making funny pamphlets—whatever it takes to grab someone’s attention. If you can double text your crush who’s been ghosting you for ages, you can definitely follow up with creatives who might be too busy to reply right away.

When it comes to feedback, remember you don’t have to take everything on board—just the stuff that really resonates with you. If you’ve applied for a role, try connecting with the hiring manager directly and send them a message. You could also reach out to someone from the office to see if they can assist.

Can I apply for a Job if I am not a student or a citizen of the UK? 

You can apply, but the chances of getting hired are usually less than 4% unless they’re looking for someone to fill a senior role or if you have skills that fall into “special categories.” But you can try your luck. If you are looking for courses to purse, I have listed down a few potential courses [HERE]

Lastly, don’t give up. It might take a while but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t land an opportunity. Keep evaluating your process at every stage, and ask for feedback wherever possible. Upskilling is also an essential part of the process, this could be software that you could learn, a course that you could take up; in short, anything that says, “Hey! I know how to do this too.” I’m not asking you to be a jack of all trades, but be a few of them. It's gonna feel overwhelming at times but hang in there you have got this! 

PS If you have read all the way here, thank you!