How to get a creative job

There are so many ways to kick-start your creative career, you just need to decide which is the best option for you. From university study and graduate schemes to apprenticeships and internships discover how to get a creative job

Study for a creative degree

It's well known that creative jobs are incredibly competitive and often require a high level of knowledge and skills. As such, most people in the industry hold a degree or some type of formal qualification.

If you decide to study an arts focused degree at university, you'll be able to choose from a huge range of undergraduate courses.

From graphic and fashion design to museum studies, art administration, music, production design, illustration and performing arts, there are creative arts degrees for everyone.

For art and design roles, look for a related degree in your area of interest, such as:

• graphic design
• interior design
• photography
• video game design.

Practical programmes give you the hands-on experience that employers look for.

For performing arts roles, such as actingÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýdancing a degree from an established, industry-recognised drama or dance school can significantly increase your chances of employment. Learn more about conservatoires.

For museum and art gallery jobs, a degree in art history, museum studies or heritage studies is desirable. A subject relevant to museum or gallery collections will also be beneficial, such as fine art, history or photography. Find out how to get into museum conservation and explore museum jobs.

While postgraduate qualifications aren't usually necessary, they can increase your knowledge and understanding, help you to gain industry contacts and give you an edge when trying to stand out in a crowd.

Search postgraduate courses in creative arts.

For more information on relevant qualifications, see our creative arts and design job profiles.

Join a creative graduate scheme

If you hold a degree you'll be able to join a creative graduate scheme. As well as providing an entry point, programmes like these offer structured training and in many cases a job upon completion.

Be aware that graduate schemes aren't as common in the creative industries as they are in other sectors. Apprenticeships, internships and training schemes  are more popular routes into the industry. Finding schemes and uncovering opportunities will require some research.

Where opportunities do exist it's the large, well-known organisations that run them. For instance:

• If you're interested in fashion design, Marks & Spencer offer a Clothing and Home graduate programme that contains elements of design, as well as buying and merchandising. Next offers schemes in both buying and merchandising. Discover how to get into buying and merchandising.
• If you'd like to break into the world of film and television Channel 4 runs a Production Training scheme. Open to graduates with a related degree in film or television and non-graduates alike, it's not exactly a graduate scheme but the year-long programme can help you get your foot in the door with production companies.
• For aspiring designers Jaguar Land Rover offer a graduate scheme in Creative Design.
• For those who are passionate about preserving history museums such as the Natural History MuseumÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýThe National Gallery may provide traineeships for assistant curators.

Secure a creative apprenticeship

If you're not keen on the idea of going to university, apprenticeships are a well respected alternative. They allow you to gain the qualifications and experience you need to work in the creative industries, while avoiding student debt.

The number of available creative apprenticeships is increasing each year and schemes cover the whole range of creative sub-sectors such as art, design, film, heritage, crafts, publishing etc.

You can now learn your trade while earning a wage in areas such as:

• animation
• broadcast production
• content creation
• costume and wardrobe
• creative and digital media/design
• curatorship
• fashion and textiles
• graphic design
• hair and make-up
• interior design
• jewellery design/making
• photography
• product design
• publishing
• visual effects.

Creative apprenticeship opportunities span all available levels from intermediate (Level 2) and advanced (Level 3), through to higher (Levels 4 and 5) and degree (Level 6 and 7).

Leading brands and organisations offering creative apprenticeships include:

• Amazon - runs a Level 3, 18-month Content Creator apprenticeship.
• Artswork - Cultural Learning and Participation Officer (Level 3)
• ASOS - the fashion retailer offers schemes in design, photography and content creation, spanning from Level 3 to Level 7.
• BBC - offer advanced and higher (Levels 3 to 5) schemes in Broadcast and Media Systems Technical Operator, Junior Production Coordinator and Production.
• Bloomsbury - run the 15-month, Level 3 Publishing Assistant apprenticeship.
• Channel 4 - provide a range of Level 4 to 5 apprenticeships, for example the Junior Production Manager scheme.
• National Theatre - programmes include Creative Venue Technician, Scenic Artist and Props Maker apprentice.
• National Trust - run conservation programmes such as Heritage Crafts and Rangering.
• Royal Air Force (RAF) - provide a Level 4 Photographer apprenticeship.
• Royal Opera House - apprenticeships cover a range of areas including archives, costume and broadcast.

If you're after a role in broadcast media, film production, journalism or publishing see media apprenticeships.

Discover how to apply for apprenticeships.

Consider a creative internship

Work experience, internshipsÌý²¹²Ô»åÌývoluntary work offer an insight into industry practices and enable you to make contacts and gain confidence. Having a period of work experience, voluntary work or a stint as an intern under your belt also helps you stand out to potential employers.

• To find design work experience, look to organisations like United in Design who offer a range of year-long and six month internships. You may need to make speculative enquiries if you can't find advertised opportunities. If you want to get into the industry, consider taking part in design competitions. For example, the New Blood Awards from Design and Art Direction (D&AD) are open to those aged 18 or over and enrolled on a relevant higher education course, as well as recent graduates.
• For experience in museum settings, look to the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London who provide volunteering opportunities. You'll also find that the Natural History Museum runs short-term 'visiteering' schemes, and the Science Museum provides volunteers with the opportunity to work at the museum for a day.
• If you want to work in the fashion industry, experience in fashion retail is valuable. You can learn about the styles, looks and brands customers prefer. Online fashion retailer ASOS takes on fashion interns over a one-year period in a number of functions including garment technology, design and pattern cutting - see ASOS internships. A variety of fashion-related internships are also advertised on Fashion United. Attending exhibitions and events, such as London Fashion Week would also provide invaluable experience. Find out more about the 5 ways to get into fashion design.
• If you're interested in building a career in broadcasting or television then the BBC runs 'Get In' taster experiences that allow you to explore the range of career paths at the organisation.
• If you're looking to break into the UK gaming industry Lucid provide creative internships to university students and graduates.

For students and graduates from ethnic minority groups, Creative Access provides internship opportunities across advertising, publishing, film, museums, music, television and theatre.

To find work placements and internships, search for creative arts and design work experience.

If you're aiming to work in the media, see 5 tips for getting media work experience.

Brush up on essential creative skills

Graduate employers in the creative industries require candidates with:

• imaginative ideas and ability
• strong communication skills - not only useful in your day-to-day work, but also invaluable when networking and building contacts
• the ability to work as part of a team
• effective planning, organisation and time management skills - as the majority of work in the creative industries is project-based and deadline-driven, you'll need to stay organised to manage your workload
• self-discipline and stamina to cope with long hours
• resilience and determination - the industry is highly competitive and you'll need to cope with setbacks
• a good eye for detail in art and design roles
• the flexibility to work on multiple projects
• commercial awareness and business orientation
• digital and IT skills
• manual dexterity
• practical and technical skills, including associated software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and CAD
• marketing, administrative and business skills - especially if you're self-employed.

Discover the 7 skills for a successful career in performing arts.

Find a job in the creative industries

The creative sector is highly competitive and jobs aren't always formally advertised. While possessing the right qualifications and work experience will go a long way to helping you secure your first job, you'll need to put yourself out there through networking opportunities to get noticed. Having the confidence to market yourself is very important.

Joining professional bodies relevant to your field will help you keep up to date with networking events, conferences and workshops - all useful opportunities to meet industry professionals and promote your skills.

Being active on LinkedIn enables you to follow and connect with industry professionals and keep an ear to the ground for suitable vacancies. See how effective this can be at social media and job hunting.

Blogging and vlogging are also useful ways to demonstrate a talent for content creation, design and crafting. Attending fashion shows and art/museum exhibitions or taking part in competitions are other great ways to meet like-minded people.

Entry-level creative jobs are advertised on university careers service vacancy lists. The University of the Arts London's (UAL) jobs and internships website Creative Opportunities is particularly useful. In addition, you can find vacancies on company websites and through organisations such as Arts Council England and Arts Jobs. You can also search graduate jobs in creative arts and design on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ»ÆƬ.

Learn more about creative jobs.

As a creative graduate, you'll also need a portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers. Find out more about putting together a creative portfolio.

Get a creative job with no experience

Having some relevant work experience alongside your qualifications is an important part of preparing for a creative career - but don't panic if you don't have any. Also don't discount your experience in other areas of work, as this will have developed a range of transferable skills - see the skills that employers want.

Many of the qualities considered important in creative jobs can be gained through other roles. Be sure to emphasise any of the following in your applications:

• communication
• creative thinking
• digital skills
• flexibility
• resilience
• teamwork.

As long as you highlight and can demonstrate, with examples, transferable skills on your creative job application any experience of the working world will be better than none at all.

Apply for jobs speculatively and be sure to emphasise your passion for the role and your determination to secure a position at the organisation.

While it's hard to secure a job in the competitive creative industries with no experience it isn't impossible. You'll need tenacity and a resilient nature. In some instances you might have to be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up to your preferred role.

Building and possessing an impressive portfolio of work will help. Despite your lack of experience this can be used to demonstrate your talent to employers. For example, you could start a YouTube channel, podcast or blog about your chosen area of interest.

Find out more

• Discover creative jobs in the film industry.
• Consider other creative roles working in the media.