Trouble finding job with no commercial experience

[Eightball]

Hi guys,

I have strong technical retouching skills gained through self teaching and working for a social photographer as his assistant. I know I am more than capable to do a junior retouching job in fashion, product, beauty - anything really. However, without prior commercial or corporate experience no one wants to know.

I am currently creating a new portfolio form scratch of fashion, product and restoration pictures as my current portfolio is definitely lacking. But I'm starting to think that it won't make any difference as I don't have the right experience on my CV. I'm now looking into unpaid internships as it seems the only option, however I really can't afford to only have even a part-time paid job.

Does anyone have any words of advice on how I might overcome this? Or do I just need to persevere?

Thanks,
Claire

[Doug Nelson]

Re: Trouble finding job with no commercial experie

A killer portfolio will trump anything else.

The best CV imaginable won't help someone with a mediocre portfolio.

However a wonderful CV with a killer portfolio is just the baseline. That gets you in the queue. The rest is up to you and your networking and people skills.

[Eightball]

Re: Trouble finding job with no commercial experie

Thanks Doug, that actually helps a lot. Time to roll my sleeves up I suppose, stop being so despondent.

Thanks,
Claire

[imranrobin]

Re: Trouble finding job with no commercial experie

Nice post. To get retouching job You must have a awesome portfolio by which anyone can impressed to see your work.

And contact with Professional photographers to get photo retouching job.

[DJSoulglo]

Re: Trouble finding job with no commercial experie

If someone with a terrible CV has a great Portfolio you give them a chance (at least a test).

If someone has a great CV but a terrible Portfolio you laugh at them behind their back, after you've told them you're not looking for help right now.

[Eightball]

Re: Trouble finding job with no commercial experie

Thanks! I've been really concentrating on my portfolio recently and am much more confident about it now.