Wanted: Superman

Fri 28 Mar 2008 – 14.02

I found the following job post on Craig’s List and thought I should share. First I have to say that I did actually apply, but only because I felt that I honestly fulfill the criteria. Does that mean I have a high regard for myself? Does that mean that most people don’t?

Description:
Highly creative, conceptual designer with experience in advertising, branding, web design, business collateral, packaging and environmental design. Designer should have excellent interpretive and communication skills, with the ability to present ideas to staff. Individual will work with Senior Art Director to brainstorm ideas but must be a self starter with acute time management skills to keep projects on schedule. Individual must be able to deliver from concept through production in various media. Must be comfortable and clear communicating with vendors and have a clear understanding of the printing process including press checks.

Accountabilities:
- Creates and produces a wide range of design related projects while adhering to high standards of creativity and innovation
- Works with vendors to ensure quality and accuracy of deliverables, including mechanicals
- Must be able to work independently within a team environment
- Scheduling and resource management
- Excellent production skills in being able to bring ideas to life at every phase of the design process
- Must work well under tight deadlines while maintaining integrity in design
- Other duties include proofing and archiving electronic production files

Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- BA or BFA from accredited university in graphic design
- Proficient in InDesign, QuarkXpress, Illustrator and Photoshop
- Some experience with Flash required, HTML a plus.
- Minimum of 3 years experience in agency or in-house corporate creative department

Wow, anything else? I love how they use the oxymorons like “work independently within a team environment”. Do people actually read this any say to themselves “that’s not for me, I don’t work within a team.” I know job ads are supposed to be aspirational, but seriously.

I call ads like this the “everything” ad. They want everything. They want someone with all types of skills who can wear every type of hat. Generally, I consider myself an all-arounder so it’s not a problem. This sort of ad is common, but there’s also another sort of ad I see that is likewise common: the “specialist”. Here’s an excerpt from one I found:

Major Pharmaceutical advertising agency seeks a graphic designer to join them team in a fulltime capacity.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years experience at an ad agency servicing pharmaceutical clients.

In this case, they’re pretty much targeting seven people in the world. Do they think that most people who work in the narrow niche of pharmaceutical advertising want to stay in the field? And people from outside that world are automatically unsuitable? Cmon, get your head out of your arse.

Any thoughts?

posted by Scott in careers.

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