Last month, alongside other events as part of the Creative Industries Series, the Careers and Employability Service (CES) hosted an event providing guidance on how to break into the creative industries and how to make your application stand out. This featured alongside their other event, Finding Work Experience In The Creative Industries.
If you missed out on the Breaking Into The Creative Industries – How To Make Your Application Stand Out, don’t worry, we reached out to the team for some information about the session. Take a look at the below, which provides some handy guidance and advice:
Careers in the creative industries don’t follow a straight line — and that’s completely normal. Many roles are freelance, project-based or part-time, especially in a sector with lots of small, fast-moving businesses. For students and graduates, this means your CV isn’t just a list of jobs — it’s your chance to show potential, creativity and motivation.
Before you apply, slow down and prepare. Research the organisation properly: what do they create, what do they value, and where do you fit in? Employers want to see that you understand their work and can explain why you want to be part of it. A rushed, generic application is easy to spot — and easy to reject.
Your CV is your personal marketing tool. Keep it clear, focused and relevant, highlighting skills and experiences that match the role. Use examples and numbers to bring your achievements to life, whether that’s a university project, part-time job or creative portfolio. For creative roles, your interests, side projects and coursework can be just as powerful as paid experience.
A strong cover letter can pull everything together. This is where you show enthusiasm, personality and direction. Explain why this role matters to you, what excites you about the organisation, and how your skills could add value. Tailoring each letter takes time, but it’s a great and effective way to stand out.
Finally, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Speculative applications, networking and curiosity-led conversations can open unexpected doors. In the creative industries, confidence, preparation and persistence are just as important as talent.
Don’t forget, if you missed out and would like some more career guidance and support, you can always reach out to the Careers and Employability team to book an appointment. You can also take advantage of all the workshops, events and career tools and resources the team have on offer. To find out more about click here.
What is the Creative Industries Employability Series?
The Creative Industries Employability series features industry professionals and the University of Kent’s Careers and Employability Service and has featured some great events across the Autumn term. The sessions are open to all students in SAA and are designed to provide valuable insights into a wide range of creative careers and support the development of practical skills. To find out more about any future upcoming events, please contact Dr Angie Varakis-Martin, A.Varakis@kent.ac.uk (SAA Employability Lead)