http://www.netmagazine.com/opinions/how-get-your-first-job

My main tip would just be not to give up. You could apply for 200 jobs and be turned down for 199 of those, all it takes is for 1 person to like you and what you do for you to have the job of your dreams. If you don’t get a job you apply for it means you weren’t right for the position. Don’t take anything personally, and don’t get disheartened by rejection. Try and find out if there’s anything you could improve on for future interviews. See each interview as a learning experience and just try to improve each time.

I went skiing for the first time ever, had an absolutely amazing time, was doing really well in my lessons and picked it up really quickly. I was already going on the red runs by the 3rd day and that’s when it all went wrong – I had an accident on a tricky slope and ended up being stretchered off the mountain! When I got back to England I found out that I had ruptured my cruciate ligament and have now got to have surgery on my knee.

So while I’m out of action I’m looking for different ways to network, and obviously still applying for jobs! I was wondering if anyone out there has ever been to a networking event and if they work? Also how do I go about finding them and finding out if they are relevant to me?

If anyone can help please get in touch!

My freelance work has certainly taken off well, the project with the massage therapists has gone really well and everything has been printed and finished. There were a few hiccups along the way; it was my first printing job so dealing with printers was a new experience for me. I learnt so much, and really am very grateful that Fire+Earth gave me the chance to work with them. We are hoping to keep the options open to work together again and maybe they may send more work my way.

I have had a few other people asking for my skills and I’m keeping my eyes on the competition boards to see if anything catches my eye, so hopefully this is something that will continue and will become very successful!

They want me to do some more work for them, which is really positive, and I’ve really enjoyed doing it. I’ve learnt so much, but I know that working in an agency with other designers will be really beneficial to me in the long run.

I’ve also been working on some stuff for my dad, who is starting a mobile mechanic business. I’ve had quite a lot of fun drawing engines and ‘fluid cars’, I will post some images once it’s all ready!

If anyone else out there would like any design work doing for them, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can view my work at:

http://web.mac.com/jacquieverett

After the rebrand and a much needed improvement on the CV there seems to have been much more interest, which is all very positive. I had an interview at a company called Instarmac, I was called back for a second interview, and had to present some work that they set me. It all seemed to go really well and I was quite confident, however today I had the call saying that they were, unfortunately not going to be offering me the position and had offered it to somebody with more experience. I must admit and I am really quite gutted as the job seemed amazing and would have been an awesome opportunity. However, looking on the bright side, I also had another interview last week for a company called Campbell Marsh, in Leamington and I should be hearing back from them this week. I have really got my fingers crossed for this one as I think I could learn so much from them. It’s quite a small team, which I really like the idea of, as I’m used to working in a small team now, and you can easily fire ideas off one another. I shall let you know how that goes though.

I’m still applying for more jobs, my hope is to have a new job by the time of graduation. That is my aim and I think it is fully achievable.

I’ve waited so long for this and I’m so excited that I will finally be a fully fledged graduate! We’ve got an amazing venue too, it’s the Symphony Hall in Birmingham. I shall be planning a nice day with the family and a weekend to celebrate after!