Aspiring creatives,

Every year thousands of hopeful candidates break into the creative industry. Competition is stiff, and the bar is only getting higher. But there’s one thing-

Everyone is doing the same things. Same portfolios. Same skills. Same interview tactics.

Those who land jobs break the mold.

They spend time developing skills that creative teams actually need. And guess what? Demand for those skills is higher than ever.

According to research from Robert Half, 93% of marketing and creative leaders say finding quality talent is difficult.

That means opportunity awaits candidates who come prepared.

Whether it’s working with a commercial video agency on branded content or pitching at a design studio, skill sets have expanded across the creative industry. Companies like any reputable video production agency aren’t just looking for artists. They want well rounded professionals who can think like clients and create with purpose.

Let’s dig into exactly what sets great candidates apart from the rest…

What you’ll learn:

1. The Skills Creative Employers Want
2. Why Being Great With Adobe Isn’t Enough
3. Building a Standout Portfolio (+ Actual Examples)
4. Soft Skills That Creative Teams Look For

The Skills Creative Employers Actually Want

Here’s the problem with most job seekers…

They try to become expert in one area and hope for the best. But times have changed. Employers want well rounded professionals that can handle multiple aspects of a project.

Here are skills that are in HIGH demand RIGHT NOW:

• Video production & editing
• Motion graphics / Animation
• Content Strategy & Storytelling
• AI-assisted creative workflows
• Data driven campaign strategy

Did you notice data was on that list? It should be.

Being able to quantify and measure creative impact is just as important as being able to produce it. That’s why most candidates who focus on hard data skills (designers, copywriters, video editors) will always stand out over candidates who lack them.

The lines between digital marketing, brand / UX strategy and commercial video production are blurring. Candidates who speak the language of business fluently will ALWAYS have an advantage over those who don’t.

Not too shabby of an opportunity for candidates, right?

But here’s the issue. Most people don’t know where to invest their time.

Why Technical Ability Isn’t Enough

If you’re reading this thinking, “Who cares about data? I’m a creative!” hold on to your hat.

While technical skills are necessary, they aren’t what sets candidates apart. Every single person that walks into a creative interview these days knows how to use Adobe Creative Suite. They know how to edit video. They can build a website.

But can they learn new skills quickly?

The best candidates are hungry to learn new tools and adapt to new workflows. The creative industry changes FAST. Programmers are learning new AI tools every month that simplify the creative process.

Some new skills will stick. AI is definitely here to stay. According to The Creative Industries Census, creative professionals who use AI workflows increased from 10% to 60% in a single year.

You don’t have to be an expert. But showing a willingness to adapt to these technologies is vital.

Think of hard skills as a foundation you continue to build off of. The creative industry changes too fast to get complacent.

How To Build A Portfolio That Gets Hired (+ Examples)

“Show, don’t tell.” They always say that. And it’s true.

When applying to creative roles, a portfolio is the chance to “show” potential employers what you can do. Here are some tips to ensure a portfolio packs a punch:

1. Quality over quantity. Hiring managers should remember you. Find 5-10 quality pieces that showcase your abilities. Don’t bombard them with dozens of projects they’ll skim over.
2. Showcase variety. Pick pieces from different industries, for different formats, that highlight different skills. Planning on working in commercial video? Don’t just show video. Show that you can create quality brand content in a variety of formats.
3. Include context. Every project should have a short paragraph that details the brief, the concept or angle, and most importantly – THE RESULTS. Hiring managers want to know that you understand how creativity impacts the business.
4. Tailor your portfolio to the job. Nice bonus points if the very first project showcased is specifically relevant to the job being applied for. Hiring managers notice these things.

Submit the same generic portfolio to a commercial video production company and it’ll be obvious that effort wasn’t put into the application.

These are just a few simple guidelines to ensure your portfolio is top notch. 

The Soft Skills Creative Teams Want

Hard skills might land you an interview. But soft skills get you the offer.

Let’s go over a few that will set you apart from the competition.

Communication. Able to communicate ideas clearly? Able to accept criticism and apply constructive feedback? These are traits every creative team needs. It’s not all about one person.

Project Management. Meet deadlines. Respect people’s time. Keep clients and stakeholders in the loop. These things should go without saying, but you’d be surprised at candidates who lack the skills.

Client Services. Speaking of clients… Clients can be sensitive. They can also be wonderfully rewarding. Understanding clients’ needs and being able to articulate them is something junior creatives struggle with. Client Services skills are crucial.

Problem Solving. There’s always a problem. You’re working with limited time, money, resources, and vague client preferences. Learn to problem solve. Learn to think outside the box. It’s what will separate you from someone who can merely do a task.

These are just SOME of the soft skills needed to succeed in the creative industry. Learning how to “play well with others” is necessary to not ONLY landing a job, but excelling at your position.

Wrapping Up

Breaking into the creative industry means being willing to go above and beyond.

Candidates with exceptional creative skills will always get noticed. But the ones who land jobs are the ones who:

1. Have more than Photoshop on their resume
2. Understand business and how to measure success
3. Put time into crafting a beautiful portfolio
4. Have the soft skills necessary to become team players

Got questions on how to break into the creative industry? Leave them below.

Got tips that should have been included? Even better, drop them in the discussion.