Fuel magazine

Now here's a scary thought for you. I'm old enough to have been in my teens when the first ‘Star Wars' film came out - you know, ‘Episode IV'. And that means I have now critted thousands of creative portfolios, interviewed hundreds of copywriters, art directors and designers, hired scores of them, and yes, sadly, had to show one or two the door as well.

And remembering a scene from ‘Star Wars', getting your first job can feel like being the lone Luke Skywalker versus the Death Star. Even getting an appointment with a creative director is a battle. They are all busy people, with many demands on their time. A few of them are also congenitally disorganised, even rude. Persevere.

The good news is, even I made it into this industry. And I started looking for a job with no vocational training and a crap portfolio - in the teeth of a recession the likes of which you cannot imagine. But at least I had enough sense to listen and learn.

Simon Kershaw, Creative Consultant