HR Departments

The hiring process when it comes to HR is unfortunately painful. The relationship between the employer and employee seems to be distant and based on reasons not related to the job or person. It's as if the game of "convince me" has to be played for entertainment purposes only. It's a sad world we live in but we can make it better.

I spoke with someone at an HR department recently about a potential job that I was very interested in and willing to do. They had me come in to a face to face interview. They grilled me with my resume and then asked if I was up for the job. I expressed to everyone at the table that my skills were adequate to get things done and I very much was up for the task. The person who was interviewing me later told me that he purposefully made it difficult to find out if I would not enjoy the job.

As I walked out the door one of the people who spoke with me said they are going to interview a few more people and then let me know the outcome in a week. In a week I called him up asking for results. He said they are working on getting some more work so they can pay the desired salary. Another week flew by and I asked him again how things were going. Not reply to the email message. After calling and talking with him directly he told me that it will take some more time but I could work as a freelancer. Possibly by next month. As the next month rolled by I got a hold of him again through email and asked if there are any new projects. It's been at least two months now and I haven't heard back.

What started as a job offer for a full-time position has resulted in no work as a freelancer. At least for now as I am writing this. For the job applicant (which is me) it's very humiliating and my faith in the company and the people has pretty much dissolved. I don't expect to hear back from them and if I were in their shoes I would think they would show enough integrity to be clear with me. If you are going to hire someone qualified then hire that person. If you are not going to hire the person you have interviewed then tell them directly. It's easy. I sometimes wonder if the case that the HR depart has such an easy job that if they did it correctly they might afraid of loosing their own job because they can't even see the value of their own actions.

Creative Note: Don't blindly trust those who work in HR. They usually are not clear and it's best to talk with someone who will provide answers. Disregarding if the message has a positive or negative effect.

Making It Happen

Sometimes in the creative world it seems as though "waiting" can be a very long moment. In some cases you just have to keep working towards the kind of work you want to do even if that result is not immediately seen by others. I decided to do that with a project that includes Tombstone candy. My goal was to create a thirty second spot and improve my After Effects and Illustrator skills. I was able to do that while staying diligent and focused on the desired outcome. In those slow moments it's good to try something new and see if it works such as creating something different in Illustrator.

Here is a one of the graphics that was used in the making of the final video:

Creative Note: Keep on refining what has been started. There will always be someone better or someone worse off but both kinds of people have the ability to collaborate and learn from each other.

Contructive Conversations

I've noticed a trend from both the insiders and outsiders perspective of communication when it comes to creative work. This will be mostly about the outsiders view of communication when it comes to trying to connect with a possible employer or person in the creative field. While submitting resumes and following up I've been looking at the time it takes to receive a response (any response). Most of the time a response will not happen (unless they want to work with you or hire you). The process of submitting an idea or a resume to a creative company takes very little time but hearing back takes an unknown amount of time that seems impossible to explain.

I once collaborated on a project with a someone for an ad agency and I filmed and photographed part of the event as a freelance videographer. After I was done with my work I dropped it off to my collaborator so he could edit it together. I had a copy of some of the work I did to use for my own resume since it was a very successful work opportunity! After about two months I wanted to check in with my collaborator/friend in the biz. I sent an email simply asking if the edit was finished. No response. I didn't know what to think so I went and focused on other activities. Another month rolled by and so I sent another email to my collaborator and again there was no response. The only reaction I could take was that of being puzzled.

Now I have found this to be a common occurrence in many forms of communication (email, phone, text message) when it comes to applying to a job or following up with someone on a project in the creative industry. There seems to be a loss of conversation since maybe everyone is too busy working to talk. What am I looking for? I'm looking for an answer. Either a"yes" or "no". Beyond that is something even greater and that is the creative constructive conversation. A conversation that builds on ideas such as "What do I need to do better?" or "That was great! Next time maybe this would work..." or "Sorry to hear that didn't turn out. Now we know for next time." These are the conversations I am always expecting and perusing when it comes to sending in resumes and following up on project. Why waste time? My hope is that the creative community and those that work in the field can carry a dialog like that. It's much better than just being ignored.

To end on a small positive note I do sometimes (very rarely) get feedback on what to improve on. Usually it's either "Sorry but.." or no answer at all. I try to email back asking what I could do better if they don't provide that kind of constructive dialog. From a creative field look it just seems like good solid constructive communication need to happen much more often instead of silence and the escaping time which we all share.

Creative Note: I don't want to be lazy in getting back with people. I want to keep a positive conversation with people but also understand that there are things happening with people and companies that I don't know about. Being patience and assertive can be like a high wire walk at times.

Wedding Edits & Edits & Edits

Recently I worked on a wedding video for someone. This was my first ever wedding video that I had the opportunity to create. I worked with another photographer at the event and we collaborated on the day of the big wedding event to capture some of the best moments on video and camera. The person I was making the wedding video for was the bride and she wanted to have a creative hand in the process. It sounded like a fun idea to me but I slowly found out that the wedding video turned into a belief of UN-realistic expectations and an edit that didn't highlight the memorable moments of the evening. It is very difficult for me to write this because I am thankful for the opportunity to shoot the video but I have learned how the edit and presentation of the wedding event can go in a completely opposite direction based on the desires of the client.

Here is a look at some of the notes I received while editing this project together with the bride (who very much wanted to give ideas to the creative process). I had some suggestions to make but it was driven mostly by the client/bride. I learned to edit in a very comprehensive way but as the weeks passed it turned into something very illogical. The edit's continued and would not stop. There did not seem to be a clear goal or understanding of satisfaction from her and it was just turning into "busy work". The project got done on time and it looks good to the client/bride but I do not think my best work was showcased. The final video turned into a story about two peoples lives and did not accurately highlight the "wedding day". For me the quality was diminished with the over use of graphics and quotes but the client was happy to see everything play out on screen.

Takeaway Note: Have a better idea beforehand and understanding of style. Clearer understanding of time frame and communication of what "works" and what "does not work" in the video.

Compassion and Creativity

A few days ago I attended a meeting in the city that I currently reside in. It was a meeting for those who want to do compassionate work to make a positive change. It was the five year anniversary for this idea/organization. I had the opportunity to talk with those who have been working in this area of compassion for years.

I talked with a college professor who explained in brief how he measures compassion in the city. He told me they do surveys and collect data to help understand the results of compassion through an academic measuring system. Example: Recording the number of people who volunteer to help each year here and around the city.

I also spoke with a man who works for at a healthcare company. He explained to me how technology is really changing the way how hospitals and the healthcare industry is working. We talked about how the human element fits into the system and how having a physical doctor helps a person understand the relationship of compassion when care is needed.

There were a few others that I was able to meet too. A UPS driver and someone that worked for the city government. We talked about how sometimes each person has a unique skills/talent and that in a group setting each person has something original to offer that will help. The event was about compassion but the longer I stayed there I learned that the way compassion was implemented made a big positive difference. It effects most everyone no matter what area of work or background. I found it interesting because it's the kind of work that goes a long way and is usually unnoticed. It not just making a cookie and then selling it for a dollar to make a fifty cent profit. It also isn't just making cookies for free and giving them away with a smile. It's a combination of both ideas for a purpose.

Takeaway Note: While working in the creative field it's good to remember the positive effects of compassion. Recognizing it in a way that helps others yet also staying truthful to the facts in present time. It's like a good attitude. Whether that is photography, writing, reporting or any kind of creative work.

Small Creative Agency

The other day I visited a small business here in the city that has been around since 1993. The owner was open to meeting me and we set up a time for me to stop in there at 8:30am. The entire visit lasted a few hours and I was able to meet a few of the employees there and also talk in detail with the owner of the company about who they are and how to get a job in this field.

After getting getting a cup of coffee we sat down and talked a bit. I was open to learn and he was interested in providing information. I asked a few specific questions but our conversation was mainly about what he is looking for in his work and how the job market is going. He knew people in this business who have been laid off after 30 plus years of work simply because of their age and their value has gone down over time. He also told me that it's good to have a really specific skill so employers know who you are and what you provide. I agree but I would also add that knowing more that one skill can be very helpful. For him when he looks at a resume he separates the "high degree" resume from the "no degree" resume. There is a difference but he doesn't think that one is better than the other. In fact for him he looks at the "no degrees" first because that lines up with his own background. Talking to the owner of this company really made me understand that some business owners who are looking to hire a new employee really bring their own "filter" to the table. Most higher end jobs do require a degree but it's not as if that degree is the reason for being hired. It's just  something that will stand out on paper. We both came to a common understanding that it really is about the individual. It's who you are now and if the skills fit. He did say to me that as the owner of this company he wasn't sure where he wanted it to go.

After that he showed me around the studio and I was able to meet the other employees there. There were a few graphic design artist working on their computers and one other person doing copy (writing). They seemed like a great group of people. Open yet concentrated on their work. I met with the video editor there and he showed me the edit he was working on with Final Cut Pro X.  That was my main interest.

After meeting everyone it was almost time for me to go. To end the meeting he gave me a list of names and companies to contact. He also suggested that I try to improve my work and find a way to work on bigger project. Impresses the next meeting I have with an employer with knowing all of the ad agencies around understanding what each of them do. The more work I can do with people and get paid for it the more trust an employee will have with me. I agree but I also realize it might be best for me to start small and then go from there.

What I really loved about meeting this company and talking with the boss was that it's the kind of place where they come up with the ideas for a commercial or story. They bring the creative idea to the client. It's up to them. To me that is one of the best parts of working on a commercial or project for/with a client. Knowing what the goal is on paper before it begins. Then once it is decided it turns into the fun process of creating it (graphics, video, editing, drawling).

Takeaway Note: Now I have a better understanding of what I need to peruse and how I can value my work in this kind of industry and marketplace here.