Where to start

[midnight_fantasy]

I work in a small printing shop, all though i am a sales assistant i get to design a lot of the orders such as business cards, letterheads, invitations well alsorts really, So I work with photoshop and Quark on a regular basis.

Anyway although I love my job I hate my boss, he makes my skin crawl, so I want to look for another job. Only problem is I've only been working there for 6 months and I only have an A S level in art and design. Not much experience to many employers, so how do I go about finding another job in the design area?

I can't afford to go back to college or go part time so I really am struggling for ideas.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be really grateful.

[balou]

Welcome to the forum first of all. Assuming this is your first job after receiving your AS in art & design, 6 months on a job doesn't show much longevity to a future potential employer. My first suggestion would be to stick it out until your 1 year mark. The bad bosses you meet along the road just make you appreciate the good ones and teach you how not to treat your employees if you become the boss. Unless it's an abusive situation, that's another story. Otherwise, get your resume polished and a portfolio put together and start applying. You can search posts on here using portfolio and resume and there's tons of great info in previous threads. Good Luck!

[midnight_fantasy]

some insight into my boss:

he is vulgar, sexist, racist, lazy.

How he has managed to keep his business for so long I do not know. A lot of people would like to punch him because of how rude and obnoxious he is. He thinks he is gods gift to earth and that he is irrisistable to women.

So it is a case of put up with the stress and hold out till the 1 year mark, which i did say i was going to do as it does look better on your CV or do i give in and find another job, which would probably mean it will have nothing to do with design.

[Buda]

Well, I dont know what an AS level is, but assuming you don't think too much of it, I would work on building your portfolio over the next month and start applying for jobs then.

Once you have a really tight portfolio, you can start interviewing.

I don't see only 6 months at a job a big problem. You can tell your interviewer that you are unhappy with the amount of design you do at your current positino as it is primarily a sales position and would like a position that is more design based.

In my first year of my degree I worked a small print shop. It was awesome until the owners sold the business to a man that ran it like a dictatorship. You would think that rules and a bit more relaxed for a company with 4 staff but no. He wanted everything by the book. Worse, he decided that he would be there every minute the shop was open and took away all our keys so we couldn't open or lock up without him. I used to have sole charge on Saturdays of that shop because it was super quiet and I could handle it by myself. Then he came and babysat me on Saturdays. It was horrible.

[midnight_fantasy]

i am doing a lot of the designing which i love but i am not getting the full credit from it as its his company thats getting the credit, i've designed logos for companies but i dont get paid any extra for doing so. my boss prefers to nip out the shop and chat to everyone rather than get the jobs done on time, we are behind on a lot of orders and he just doesnt care.

if i could start my own business i would, that would be amazing but i am only 19.

An AS level is just above a gcse level which you take in school, so i only completed one year of my college course due to moving.

[Drazan]

Honestly employers look for a solid portfolio. If you have the talent the portfolio will get you in the door. You don't need to put down your age on a resume. If you hold yourself with maturity and insight during the interviewing process then you have a good chance to get the job.

Start putting it together, "only 19" is no excuse to hold you back from what you want to do. I know people who've started and run successful businesses when they were 19-22 (three people) and they are still going strong today.

If your heart and mind are dedicated to your goal - you will succeed.

=)
Jade

[Drorain]

How bad is the environment, being racist, sexist and all that is a problem…but it is his business, and he can run it as he sees fit. One thing he can’t do is harass you though, if things become personal, if he makes unwanted comments or advances directed to you as a person, well that could be considered harassment. This could also allow you to leave and collect unemployment, I would investigate this. In the meanwhile, since you have experience in working in the environment, start applying to other print shops, small ad agencies and other companies that sell printed products. Also understand if your good at sales for one product, you might be good for another, just make sure it’s something you can be passionate about too.

I would say getting out of the place ASAP should be your top priority.

If you want a design job, the portfolio will be your top priority, feel free to ask us for advice, we’re glad to help on that end in the showcase section. Don’t let you’re young age or experience level deter you from succeeding. Many people in this industry go in self taught and are very successful at what they do. We’re plugging for you.

[midnight_fantasy]

thank you for all your supportive comments, they've helped me realise that maybe I can find another job in design. Only problem now is finding places I can apply to. I live in a small village in the country so it is hard. I will have to get things sorted but I will work on my portfolio.

I'm going to start taking some of my designs from work to build it up, it's just difficult when my boss is always there, need to find a way of doing it without him knowing.

So thank you again for all your advice it's really appreciated.

[Buda]

Be careful with taking things that belong to your company and putting them on your portfolio. It's generally a no go.

[bejamshi]

Please use normal text instead of italic, it is harder on the eye to read.
:)

[bejamshi]

Be careful with taking things that belong to your company and putting them on your portfolio. It's generally a no go.

It is okay to take the work you did for potfolio, at least that is what I know.
why otherwise?

[Buda]

It is okay to take the work you did for potfolio, at least that is what I know.
why otherwise?

I guess it depends on your contract. Your company may not be happy with you doing this because the work may belong to them and/or client. When I worked at a copy centre this was the case.

[bejamshi]

Yes it depends to their permission. you have to ask them.

[Buda]

It doesn't sound like Midnight Fantasy is like to ask their boss that they dislike to take work from the company to put into their personal portfolio...