10 Things to Know About the Creative Services Industry Before Starting Your Career
Embarking on a career in Creative Services can be as daunting as it is exciting, so we’ve gathered insights from CEOs to content creators to guide new grads and career changers. From understanding AI’s impact on creativity to focusing on skills and building a portfolio, explore the ten crucial pieces of advice these industry professionals have to offer.
- Understand AI’s Impact on Creativity
- Just Start and Build Your Portfolio
- Develop Resilience in a Competitive Field
- Adapt and Innovate Constantly
- Combine Passion with Continuous Learning
- Emphasize Teamwork and Collaboration
- Prepare for Fast-Paced Work Environment
- Balance Creativity with Timeliness
- Showcase Your Work, Not Just Resume
- Focus on Skills and Build a Portfolio
Understand AI’s Impact on Creativity
The Creative Services industry is in a bit of an awkward place, with the potential for massive disruption at the entry level due to generative AI. People looking to enter the industry fresh out of college should understand that versatility and adaptability are key to making it work despite the current paradigm shift—you’re going to need to be upskilling in other areas of the job to make yourself stand out.
Unlike more rigid industries, Creative Services often require professionals to wear multiple hats, which makes skills like project management or cross-media expertise that much more important in today’s job market. Highlight them, rather than just your creative acumen.
Dragos Badea, CEO, Yarooms
Just Start and Build Your Portfolio
The creative services, encompassing everything from in-person creative consulting to digital marketing, design, content writing, website design, and more, is an extremely multifaceted career and an incredible way to get started! As a theatre grad myself, I was in the midst of 2020 in acting school when I realized that I had to do something to make money—and creative services was exactly what I dove into.
So, here’s what new grads and job seekers should know about the creative services industry:
- Just get started. There’s never one right time to start, and lucky for us, you don’t need a specific degree in most creative services to dive in. It can be as simple as volunteering to run your friend’s social media channel for three months and using that as a portfolio piece for your future paid projects.
- DIY portfolios are a thing! Speaking of portfolios, you don’t need to have real-world experience in order to create a portfolio! Do some sample projects for your friends to get samples. Those looking to hire you want to see what you’re capable of doing more than what you’ve actually done.
- Start with a low rate, and work up from there (nothing’s forever). If you’re considering starting, look for some one-off projects on job platforms like Upwork or Contra with a super low rate! The goal here isn’t to get money first, but to get good testimonials and paid samples (especially if you’ve already done some free work!).
Good luck and KEEP GOING!
Kira Violet, Singer-Songwriter, Content Creator, Violet Gaze
Develop Resilience in a Competitive Field
We run an ad agency and work with creatives all the time. If you’re looking to get into this industry, know that it is competitive. As in, super-competitive. A lot of people want to make money from being creative because they think it’s easy, but it’s not. You have to work super hard to come up with good ideas, and many of them will be rejected by clients (especially the ones you really love). Develop a thick skin and don’t take it personally when people don’t like your stuff—it’s the nature of the game we’re in.
Phillip Mandel, Owner, Mandel Marketing
Adapt and Innovate Constantly
One key insight is the importance of adaptability. A memorable example is when we first started expanding our content categories. We had to experiment with different formats and styles to engage a broader audience. Some ideas didn’t work, but we learned to adapt and refine our approach based on feedback and performance.
Your ability to adapt your creative strategies, learn from setbacks, and keep pushing forward will set you apart in this industry. It’s not just about having great ideas but also about being willing to adjust and innovate constantly.
Christopher Pappas, Founder, eLearning Industry Inc
Combine Passion with Continuous Learning
For me, one of the most important things new grads or those considering a career switch into the Creative Services industry need to understand is that passion for creativity is just the starting point. While enthusiasm for design, writing, or any other creative endeavor is crucial, it’s the ability to adapt that will truly set you apart in this industry.
Creative Services is a field that thrives on change. Trends shift rapidly, client needs evolve, and technology continuously reshapes how creative work is produced and consumed. It’s not enough to be good at your craft—you also need to be flexible, ready to learn new tools, embrace feedback, and pivot your approach when necessary. In my experience, those who succeed in Creative Services are the ones who combine their creative passion with a willingness to continuously adapt and grow.
For example, a graphic designer who is well-versed in traditional media but resists learning about digital platforms or emerging technologies like AR or VR might find themselves quickly outpaced. On the other hand, those who stay curious, who see changes in the industry as opportunities rather than obstacles, are the ones who build lasting and successful careers.
In essence, the Creative Services industry is as much about being a lifelong learner as it is about being a creative visionary. So, if you’re considering a role in this field, ask yourself: Am I ready to embrace the unknown, to learn continuously, and to adapt my skills to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry? If the answer is yes, then you’re already on the right path.
Stephen Greet, CEO & co-founder, BeamJobs
Emphasize Teamwork and Collaboration
Early on in my research of the creative services sector, I discovered how important teamwork is. Creativity in this sector thrives on partnership; it cannot exist in a vacuum. I recall a project where I developed a campaign in collaboration with designers, authors, and marketers. Each one of us contributed unique abilities, and it was by working together that we produced something quite original.
This experience has led me to understand that effective collaboration is just as important in the creative services industry as having creative skills. It’s about listening, brainstorming, and strengthening one another based on expertise. Companies search for applicants who can easily fit into a team and support a common vision.
Knowing this, I concentrated on emphasizing my team-building experiences throughout the job application process. I told stories of earlier initiatives where cooperation resulted in success to show my capacity to help a creative team flourish.
Kal Dimitrov, Content & Marketing Expert, Enhancv
Prepare for Fast-Paced Work Environment
If you’re a new grad or looking to switch careers in the Creative Services industry, one of the most important things to understand is that this field operates at a very fast pace and can be highly unpredictable.
The Creative Services sector thrives on quick turnarounds, constantly shifting priorities, and the need to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances. It’s unlike traditional industries with linear processes and fixed timelines. Deadlines can be extremely tight, and you’re often juggling multiple projects at once, all at different stages of development. You need to be on your toes, ready to adapt, and capable of managing your time effectively.
But it’s not just the speed that can be challenging; it’s the unpredictability that comes with it. Client needs can often change at the drop of a hat, and you might find yourself reworking an entire project just hours before it’s due. All these require great flexibility and the ability to stay calm under pressure. So, before you dive in, be prepared for an environment where anything can happen at any time, and you’ll need to think on your feet.
Still, although the Creative Services sector is not for the faint of heart, it can be rewarding, offering the chance to work on diverse and innovative projects. If resilience, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and a willingness to continuously learn are your strengths, you may be a perfect fit for this industry.
Agata Szczepanek, Career Expert & Community Manager, LiveCareer
Balance Creativity with Timeliness
If you’re looking to get into the Creative Services industry, remember that creativity is important, but so is meeting deadlines and working with clients. From my experience, you need to balance great ideas with getting the job done on time. Be ready to handle feedback and work under pressure because clients often expect a lot and have tight deadlines. Make sure to have a strong portfolio, even if it’s from personal projects or internships, and be prepared to talk about how you manage your time and meet client needs.
Swena Kalra, Chief Marketing Officer, Scott & Yanling Media Inc.
Showcase Your Work, Not Just Resume
If you’re a new grad or someone looking to switch careers into the Creative Services industry, here’s something you should know: It’s all about what you can show, not just what’s on your resume. This field is driven by creativity, so employers want to see your work in action—think design samples, writing clips, campaign mock-ups, or anything that demonstrates your skills.
Don’t stress if you don’t have tons of professional experience; personal projects, school assignments, or freelance gigs can also make a strong impression. The key is to have a portfolio that highlights your unique style and versatility, showing potential employers that you can bring fresh ideas to the table.
Vanessa Nalus, Relationship Manager, Practice Aptitude Tests
Focus on Skills and Build a Portfolio
From my personal experience, I believe that skills are what matter the most in the creative services industry. When you want to shift your career and apply for roles in creative domains like content creation, graphic design, or advertising, exploring the necessary skills, upgrading yourself, and acquiring in-demand skills is crucial.
Besides that, creating a solid portfolio that demonstrates your creative skills can be an added advantage. In case you do not have much to add to your portfolio, consider looking for internship opportunities, pursue them, and build your portfolio. Moreover, being determined and resilient is the need of the hour. As the creative services industry keeps evolving and becoming more competitive, you will require these skills to cope with potential setbacks.
Yogesh Kumar, Digital Marketing Head, eResource Scheduler
