Logging on to your digital career – what are the options?

You don't have to be a computer scientist to work for a website.Amy Edwards looks at career options in the digital industry

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• Amy Edwards
• guardian.co.uk, Sunday 24 February 2013 11.00 GMT
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Coding is just the tip of the iceberg of careers in the digital industries. Photograph: Tom Till/Getty Images

If you went off headlines alone, you'd think that every part the British economy was sinking further and further into the depths of despair. But there is one industry that we all deal with every day, in one way or another, that's going from strength to strength, with new jobs opening up all the time. It's the digital industry.

From reading blogs and searching for jobs, to checking your socialmedia profiles and shopping, almost everyone has a relationship with some kind of digital media or online platform on a daily basis. And the more we use the internet, the more career opportunities we're inadvertently creating.

Websites don't just appear by magic – they're normally built over an extended period of time by a group of dedicated individuals. From design and user interface to the content and architecture, every element of a website has been carefully considered, assessed and strategised. Nothing is there by accident. And the sector is vast: Google alone employees almost 54,000 staff worldwide.

From analysing the journey a user makes when visiting a website, to managing customer interactions and planning for future digital trends, websites need an incredible amount of skill, manpower and resources to run successfully. And this means they need to recruit employees with a range of skills and experiences. So just because you're not a computer scientist, it doesn't mean you can't have a successful digital career.

Here is a selection of the main categories that roles fall into:

Online marketing

This is a blanket term used to cover more niche areas, such as search engine optimisation (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), pay-per-click (PPC) and social media. It includes any process involved in promoting a brand and raising its profile online. From interacting on Twitter to increasing a website's ranking on Google, there are lots of different elements which all require a number of different skills and experience. When it comes to SEO, PPC and SEM, a knowledge of the search industry and best practice is essential, while practical experience is favoured for social media roles.

Online content

The natural choice for anyone who loves writing, online content covers everything you see on a website. From blog writing to video production, creativity is the name of the game. It's about creating compelling material which strikes a chord with the website's target audience.

You can start to pick up the skills you need by creating blogs and other online content yourself. This is easier than ever thanks to free platforms such as WordPress and Blogger. A degree in a related discipline, such as journalism or creative writing, can also help.

Ecommerce

Jobs in ecommerce can be anything to do with buying and selling online. It could be digital sales and account management or more niche areas related to online advertising. The skills required depend on the role you're interested in. For instance, if you're interested in account and campaign management or sales, you need to have great people skills.

Web and software development

The web development industry is now more diverse than ever, with gaming, mobile and apps all being important areas. In this sector a degree in computer science or a related discipline can go a long way. However, it's a good working knowledge of things like coding and HTML, and experience with iOS, Android and Blackberry development that is really valued by employers.

Analytics and research

It's no good having a website if you don't know how well it's doing or how it can be improved. That's where analytics and research roles come into play. Professionals use tools like Google analytics to monitor traffic coming into the site and conversion rates – data that is used to make improvements and predictions to help brands plan and strategise for the coming months and years. Needless to say these particular roles are all concerned with data and numbers so a strong analytical and numerical mind is essential.

Web and graphic design

The perfect choice for creative types, web and graphic designers are responsible for creating compelling onsite designs, graphics and images which fit with brand values. A strong portfolio is a must, while a good working knowledge of popular programmes like Photoshop, InDesign and Fireworks is also usually essential. Some knowledge of HTML and CSS could also help to secure a web design job.

Location

Despite what you may think, being based in London isn't the be all and end all when it comes to digital jobs. Thanks to things like MediaCity in Manchester and the Cambridge Cluster, other cities all over the UK are becoming digital hubs in their own rights.

The future

The digital industry is growing at incredible rate and, with new platforms, websites and apps being released daily, it shows no signs of slowing down. There are a wealth of niche job boards, specialist recruiters and career sites dedicated to jobs in the sector, most of which weren't around a few years ago. So can you really afford to stand on the sidelines of the digital industry any longer? 2013 might be the year you get involved.

Amy Edwards is a search engine optimisation manager for Bubble Jobs

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/logging-on-to-your-digital-career

Becoming an entrepreneur: the skills you need and mistakes to avoid

Not everyone will be the next Richard Branson, but if you're prepared to take risks and avoid these common pitfalls then your dreams of being an entrepreneur could become reality

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• Neeta Patel
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 27 February 2013 09.30 GMT
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Not all budding entrepreneurs will make it to the same dizzy heights of success as Richard Branson. Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP

With celebrity status, thanks in part to programmes like Dragon's Den and The Apprentice, entrepreneurs have become a byword for wealth and glamour.

But we're not all going to be the next Richard Branson. Starting up a business requires certain character traits without which there is no point even considering it as a career option. At the New Entrepreneurs Foundation I meet hundreds of successful entrepreneurs, many of whom are household names. There are certain qualities they have in common and which you will need – or at least have the potential to develop – if you want to succeed.

You need to be hugely resilient. Many successful entrepreneurs have had to cope with failed businesses. Few make millions first time around: what a really successful entrepreneur does is learn from their mistakes and start again. You need to be able to take risks and jump off a metaphorical cliff from time to time – even if you don't know what is underneath. If you want to play safe, do something else.

You also need to be a world-class networker. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will have for help, advice, funding and expansion. You need to be an excellent communicator, too, so you can tell your story in a convincing, exciting and accessible way. Unflagging self-belief is also essential to get you through all the dark times when your business plan seems to have lurched into the realms of fantasy.

But even if you think you're up for the job of starting your own business, there are still lots of pitfalls you may inadvertently fall into when you apply for the support scheme run by my foundation.

On CVs, the same errors come up time and again. Although self belief is essential, you need evidence that justifies it, otherwise it sounds hollow and arrogant. Don't label yourself chief executive, founder, director or owner of a business you set up at school or university which has a turnover smaller than the average paper round wage. Last week, someone turned up at our offices with a mound of business cards stating his job title as "entrepreneur". He didn't tell us anything that backed up that title.

Grandiose claims will put you on the reject pile, too. For instance, many school and university ventures are in reality executed as a team, but many applicants recount the details, miraculously turning theachievements into the work of one person. This makes you look like you aren't a good team player, which is an essential skill for an entrepreneur.

Most CVs also contain grammatical errors, many have incoherent sentences and far too few run spelling checks. Even when you do check spellings, remember that wrong words won't show up if they are real words: public and pubic seem to cause a lot of problems on CVs.

Budding entrepreneurs also sometimes seem to think they have licence to be wacky and sometimes produce CVs to grab attention. But usually this is unnecessary and counterproductive, unless you're going for a job as a creative in an advertising agency. Often howlers are made around photos. When asked to send in a photograph of yourself, don't send something which could sit in Vogue. Recruiters don't want to see you sunbathing, water skiing or with a group of friends. A passport style photograph is all that's required.

Finally, avoid cramming in too much information into applications. When you are asked for a page about yourself, it normally means one page in standard font. It doesn't mean writing an autobiography in the smallest font available, removing margins and allowing no spaces between punctuation points. All that shows is that you can't collate or present information well. And you will need that skill when presenting to potential investors who don't have the time to read vast quantities of unstructured information.

But if you have the potential to develop the first set of qualities – and avoid the pitfalls detailed – you could be the next successful entrepreneur who becomes a household name.

Neeta Patel is the chief executive of The New Entrepreneurs Foundation.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/becoming-entrepreneur-skills-mistakes

Life in the graduate job market isn't as bad as you think

Graduate career prospects may be tough, but the challenges are in no way insurmountable, says an undergraduate Anirudh Mandagere

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• Anirudh Mandagere
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 March 2013 09.30 GMT
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It is possible to start a career despite the bad conditions. Photograph: Alamy

For current undergraduates, prospects after university might seem dire. Certainly the statistics suggest uncomfortable truths: 24.8% of 21-year-old graduates are unemployed, approximately 83 graduates apply for every job, and nearly a million young people are out of work.

Meanwhile, a recent report by the Prince's Trust has warned that youth unemployment will lead a generation to be trapped within a "miserable spiral," and Nick Clegg has lamented the "long-term scarring effects" of unemployment. This constant pessimism can damage the approach of graduates to their career and the ambitions for their working life.

But peel back the statistics and a more nuanced picture emerges. Let's take the big figure: 24.8% of 21-year-old graduates are unemployed. Of course, this is a disheartening figure, but one that misses several points as Charlie Ball notes: "In the case of graduates, this means that if you have a job or are starting a course in, say, September, but looking for a few weeks work in the summer, you're unemployed. If you waited until your finals were done, looked for a job, and have one to start next week – you are unemployed".

And the statistic only applies to 21-year-old graduates. But not everyone graduates at 21: people take gap years, foreign-language degrees require a year abroad, while some science courses such as chemistry last four years. For 22-year-olds, the rate drops to 16%, while falling even further to 8.6% for 23-year-olds.

Many applicants focus on big graduate schemes that are well-publicised and organise omnipresent graduate networking events. But small-to-medium sized companies (SMEs), the public sector and charities offer the bulk of graduate opportunities. In total, these firms offer 44,000 of the 60,000 graduate jobs available in the UK. These openings perhaps aren't as well-publicised as the big firms, but they offer just as rewarding careers.

For too long the SMEs have been ignored by graduates. Research by Icconyx shows that only one in five graduates are proactively looking at employment in SMEs.

And despite our generation's ease with social networking, research suggests some graduates stop short of using it to find career opportunities. While around a third of SMEs spend £525 a month on social media management tools, only a third of graduates have heard of LinkedIn and just 10% actively use it to find job opportunities.

Relative to their size, this investment in social media can be significant for SMEs, and reflects their increased emphasis in the area. This not only presents more job-seeking options for graduates, but it may also present career opportunities. Research suggests that many SMEs believe social media has been "somewhat helpful" or has helped their business "a great deal".

And opportunities with SMEs seem to be on the rise. Lucy Hawkins, a careers adviser for the University of Oxford, found that: "Three years ago small enterprises employed 235 Oxford graduates in a graduate-level role. Last year that number had risen to 493."

I have faith in graduates to navigate out of this spiral of doomed prospects – young people in Britain have faced tough times before and overcome the hurdles. Indeed, it was the class of 1984, not 2011 as commonly believed, that faced the high point of youth unemployment. It is wrong to underestimate graduates and treat them as passive victims who need help at every stage. Graduate prospects may be tough, but the challenges are in no way insurmountable.

Anirudh Mandagere is in his second year at St. Catherine's College, University of Oxford, studying history.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/graduate-job-market-career-prospects

Preparing For A Front-End Job Interview

Preparing For A Front-End Job Interview

• By Jake Bresnehan
• January 4th, 2013
 
• Business, Workflow
 
• 31 Comments

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Moving on from your current job or stepping out into the real world once you’ve completed your studies can be daunting. Taking time to do a little preparation goes a long long way.

If you come across the perfect job, you will need to portray yourself in the best possible light to show that you are the right person for the position.

It doesn’t always turn out as you expected. Image source: opensourceway.

Preparing for an interview as a front-end developer is hard. There is no “standard” interview, and what was relevant last year might no longer be relevant today. To make the process even more complicated, each company has its own way of interviewing prospective employees, its own desired skill set and its own duties for the incoming developer.

The interview process could be quick or drawn out. The process is out of your control, so don’t stress out too much about it. As long as you have given yourself the best possible chance of landing the job, that’s all you can do.

One thing to keep in mind: don’t be afraid to apply. Some job advertisements are worded to scare off some applicants and attract only the best of the best. If the job appeals to you and you meet the essential requirements, why not apply?

(Smashing’s note: If you enjoy reading our articles, you'll love the Smashing eBook Library. Get immediate access to all Smashing eBooks with 70% discount and vote on the topics you’d like to learn more about. We’ll prepare eBooks that fit your needs best! Subscribe now!)

Getting An Interview

Once you have found a job that appeals to you, it’s time to pour a big cup of coffee and knuckle down.

Read the job advertisement — read it again and again and again. The most important thing to do is really address the selection criteria. Submit exactly what they want; if you cannot do that, then do your best to show why you are the right person for the role.

Things To Help You Land An Interview

PERSONAL WEBSITE

For crying out loud, you’re a front-end developer: build a website! Take your time to learn while tweaking and modifying. If you don’t have the design skills, then pair up with a designer friend to help you out, buy a theme or even hire a designer.

UPDATE YOUR PORTFOLIO

How you incorporate your portfolio into the website comes down to personal preference. Showcasing the work you’ve been involved in can increase your chances of getting an interview. There is no need to show all of your work, just your best.

If you are a newcomer to the field, you might find it hard to fill out a portfolio. This is not a big concern. It might just take a little more preparation. For example, you could do the following:

• Ask around to see if any family or friends need a website,
• Build a website for your local sporting club,
• Create a WordPress plugin,
• Create a splash page for an imaginary application.

The possibilities are endless. It requires just a few more hours at your desk, but the effort will pay off.

COVER LETTER

Not all job advertisements ask for a cover letter these days. Generally, the body of the email will suffice. If you are required to supply a cover letter, though, make sure to address the given questions, and write in a professional yet friendly manner. There’s no need to be over the top, but don’t be too casual either. Before hitting the “Send” button, double-check your spelling and proofread the email to make sure it reads well. Better still, get someone to triple-check it.

RESUME

This is generally a one-page document and one of the first items an employer will look at. First impressions count, so make sure it conveys your skills, values and experience accurately.

If you are required to provide an online version, LinkedIn, Zerply and Stack Overflow are all great services. Whichever you use, ensure the resume is up to date and sets out your skills, values and experience.

GO THE EXTRA MILE

If the company you are applying to is outstanding, you will certainly not be the only one applying. To stand out, why not take the time to put together a personalized website specifically for this application? Doing this not only shows that you have gone above and beyond what is required, but shows off your repertoire of skills and shows that you really want the position.

Another great draw card is to be active in the community. Participate in online conversations, answer questions on Stack Overflow, fork GitHub repositories, dig through code, and keep on learning. If you find you need a tool or resource that doesn’t exist, try to build it. Open-source the code and add it to GitHub. Having a solid GitHub account that showcases your projects and involvement in the community can add that “Wow” factor to your application, especially with more technically oriented companies.

KEEP YOUR ONLINE PROFILE CLEAN

Once you have submitted your application, there is a high probability that the employer will search online for you. Make sure your Twitter feed, Facebook page, LinkedIn profile and so on are clean and represent your professionalism.

Possible Pre-Interview Step

An extra step in the normal recruitment process is not unheard of. This often involves a simple coding challenge or a phone interview. Companies tend to do this in order to shortlist applicants.

Don’t be afraid of a coding challenge. Treat it as an opportunity to show off your skills. Go the extra mile — take your time and execute it to your best ability. Show them that you know your stuff.

For example, I have been asked on several occasions before an interview to code modules that were currently being used on the company’s live website.

If you are asked to interview by phone or Skype, be prepared. Do some research, and have some notes handy. Be confident and passionate about the role. Get comfortable wherever you take the call. The more relaxed you are, the better. Just because you are on the phone, doesn’t mean you should forgo general interview etiquette.

The Interview

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

When the interview comes around, put in as much effort as you can. Preparing will give you a huge advantage and will hopefully calm your nerves. It is the key to increasing your chances of landing the job.

RESEARCH

Before the interview, take some time to look into the company, its people, its values, its current and past projects, and its history.

Investigating the company’s competitors is also a good idea. It will help you to see what the company and its competitors do well, and identify areas of improvement that you can discuss with the employer. It will also show that you have done your research and that you are able to think outside of your “code editing” role, which could make a big difference.

Moreover, knowing who you will be interviewed by and researching the caliber of the staff will be to your advantage.

PRACTICE ANSWERING SOME QUESTIONS

Get comfortable talking out loud about yourself and what you have to offer. No two interview questions will be the same, but this compilation of questions on GitHub by leading front-end developers is a great resource.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

First impressions count. Be on time (but not too early). Dress appropriately. Starting off the interview on the right foot will give you a massive advantage and will help to calm your nerves. Being polite, excited and knowledgable will put you in a good position.

Throughout the interview, show how passionate and enthusiastic you are for the position. No employer wants to hire someone who seems disinterested. Try to keep calm, even if you are ridiculously nervous. Try to convey positive energy, rather than let your nerves get the better of you.

For example, I was given the task of coding on a whiteboard in one of my interviews. Not only was this completely unnatural, but it really pushed my knowledge. Try to remain calm and focused if you are put in such a situation. Preparing for the unexpected is difficult — just do your best.

Know your strengths, and talk them up where possible. Turn any of your negative attributes into positives. If you lack a particular skill set or area of knowledge, there is no need to highlight it. Instead, emphasize what you have to offer; for example, that you are a quick and eager learner and can easily acquire any skill set necessary to perform the job.

TAKE ALONG SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK

If you have a portfolio, take your laptop or tablet in with you to show the employer samples of your work. This will allow you to explain your work in greater detail, including showing off your code under the hood. This interaction with your work will create a more memorable impression than just giving a description or a link.

TALK ABOUT SIDE PROJECTS

Talking about any interesting and relevant side projects will enhance your prospects. Much can be said about what someone does in their free time. If you live and breathe front-end Web development, make this known to the interviewer.

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

Be succinct, but give well-rounded answers. If you feel you can’t answer a question, explain how you would find the answer, or at least turn the situation into a positive and show them what you do have to offer.

Keep the interview flowing, but don’t waffle. Waffling is dangerous. You could easily divert into saying something you will regret. There is a fine line between giving too much away and intriguing the interviewer.

ASKING YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

Take along a list of questions to pose to the interviewer (or panel) in the final stages of the interview process. You might be too overwhelmed or exhausted to remember the questions, so a note might come in handy.

Here are some questions you could ask:

• What kind of work will I be doing in general?
• Is this a new position that has opened up because of more work?
• What is the company’s policy on work-life balance?
• What kind of tools or software are provided in the workplace?
• What would I be working on first?
• Am I allowed to do other work after hours?
• Is there a budget for conferences or training?

BEFORE PARTING WAYS

Before you leave, find out the next step — i.e. the timeline for when you will be advised of whether you’ve been chosen. Then, thank the interviewer for the opportunity and for taking the time to meet with you.

Post-Interview

If the interview has gone well, your referees (or at least one of them) will no doubt be contacted. Giving them a head’s up is courteous. It would also help if they knew some details about the position before getting quizzed about you.

If you feel you have waited long enough to hear whether you’ve gotten the position, send a follow-up email. Try not to come across as impatient, though. I have waited up to six weeks for an initial response.

Interviews are hard! Don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the job. Make the most of any positive feedback, and work on the negative feedback so that you have even more positives in your next application. And reflect on how the interview went. Jotting down any matters you felt you could improve on will assist you the next time around.

If you are offered the job but are unsure whether to accept it, you could contact current or past employees via services such as LinkedIn. This insight into their experiences and the workplace will help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

The interview can make or break whether you land your dream job. Regardless of whether you have the right skills, the best portfolio and the most experience, if you cannot sell yourself during the interview, you might not convince the employer that you are the one for the job. Your skills and experience will not go unnoticed, but a poor interview performance would detract from them.

So, to put your best foot forward, make the most of pre-interview preparation, and have confidence in yourself.

Good luck!

FURTHER READING

• “Front-End Developer Interview Questions,” Darcy Clarke, GitHub
• “How to Create a Great Web Design CV and Résumé?,” Kat Neville, Smashing Magazine
• “Seven Tips for Your Design Job Interview,” Jad Limcaco, Smashing Magazine
• “The Importance of Standing Out in the Job Market,” David Greiner, Campaign Monitor

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2013/01/04/preparing-front-end-job-interview/