Related Posts
More Posts
Living her warmest, cuddliest life 🔥
Bowl Leader
Additional Posts in Advertising
Which agencies are going through layoffs
Don’t email me (with questions!) on Saturday 😡
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Pro
Give some constructive criticism. That would be helpful so the designer isn’t wasting their time and prospective employers time if their book isn’t up to snuff.
Depends on your level of friendship and the effort you want to involve yourself.
For an acquaintance-ish friend, I’d say “I passed along to the recruiter lmk if you hear anything” and leave it at that.
For a real friend, I’d say “I’m at one of the better agencies in my field. I’m sure your friend is an awesome person, but just to be completely real, their work isn’t at the caliber that would get them an interview at my agency.” If you can’t have that level of candor w someone they’re not a real friend.
As far as their friend hitting you up, you don’t owe them anything. Especially if you’ve already passed them along or told them no, you don’t owe them a response, especially if they’re being pushy for more info on a “no”
Take one piece of work you think is worth something and give critique. Something that can be constructive and you explain that for this role you need someone that can get those details you are pointing right out of the bat.
Constructive feedback is always a solid way to go. Be honest that there’s room for improvement and that the demonstrated skill level isn’t there yet. Then explain where/what. If you have to time and desire to take it to a call instead of email, that lightens the blow too. We all benefit when we try to raise people up!
Chief
Honestly they would respect you more for your honesty. A few points where they need to get better for any serious consideration.
Rising Star
This happened to a friend of mine years ago. His response was to send him the portfolios of all the people he knew who couldn’t find a job, despite having very good portfolios.
Chief
He has a point.
I’ve been in this situation. It’s almost easier if they’re not in your field. Then instead of telling them what’s wrong with their book, you can tell them what someone would be looking for.
There are a lot of people outside the industry who don’t understand how agencies hire. It’s not a simple as “I have x years of experience dragging things around on Photoshop.” And for those select people, I simply say I passed their work along and leave it at that. If they are already pushing back, expect them to get defensive if you have any sort of critique. Just my experience.
The defensiveness of the critique is also a HUGE 🚩
Be honest, “caliber” is a great word. Also send them portfolio samples of the caliber of work you expect for that role. They will get the hint and advice that they need to scale their skills or work towards more high-end opportunities.
Chief
I literally had this conversation last night with someone I was mentoring. He had just graduated from a boot camp for product design and I had to tell him that the design quality was off the mark completely. I showed him portfolios and agencies doing good work and the gulf between his portfolio and what a viable candidate looks like.
I’ve participated in multiple portfolio reviews at events. When someone shows me a poorly done book, I point out the problem areas. I also show examples of great entry-level portfolios and say, “This person could be competing for that same job. Who has the stronger book?” They tend to get it right away.
That's weird you politely said they're not a fit and they're bugging you "why not?". Take a hint
is it bugging or is it just them wanting to get better enough to get a bag somewhere? come on
Chief
How can you constructively say that his book sucks? Just wondering…
I don’t think you owe this person anything. No is a complete sentence.
It really depends upon whether you feel this person has even the remotest possibility of putting a better book together and getting a good job in this industry. If you feel they don’t have what it takes, it might be the best thing for them to hear that. In the most respectful way of course.
I think for them to have a complete enough book for them to be a senior at most agencies they would need to spec out about 5 full campaigns as their current portfolio has no campaign work and is a collection of one offs. I'm not sure the quality they could achieve. Their current place is a small "agency" in an industrial park in the suburbs and work quality is very low. I'm sure he gets zero feedback ever
Tact is the answer here. Don’t tell them their book is shit. Maybe suggest ways on how to improve it and maybe include some design work samples your agency has produced and highlight why they’re the standard you’re looking for. There are ways to make a light shine brighter without having to dim it.
Doesn’t go well with those who think their book is great
Rising Star
I’d imagine nothing goes well with those who think their book is great
Send him a portfolio of the people your company hires and tell him that you asked about him but the management was looking for someone like this.
Agree with a lot of the comments here. Harness the power of constructive feedback that doesn’t feel demoralizing. Honesty with empathy in your feedback could change their life for the better!
If you were this person, what would you want to hear?