Getting a job in the print industry

Navigating today’s tight job market is almost a job within itself.  As any astute job seeker knows, searching for the ideal position requires patience, persistence and hard work; however, seasoned professionals and recent graduates alike often tend to rush into the process, failing to adequately prepare for an interview and end up disappointed and stressed.

Following these essential do’s and don’ts will bring you one step closer to tackling the market and landing a position in print.

Do:

+Reach out through networking. 

Networking should become part of your career-related endeavors. When it comes to the hiring process, recruiters turn first to their own networks. You may not be searching now, but fostering valuable relationships with clients and colleagues can lead to referrals in the future. Organizations like Printing Industries of America or the National Association of PrintingLeadership can assist in developing a solid foundation from which your network can grow.

+Develop your personal brand. 

Your personal brand is your reputation and the value you possess. It’s the identity you use to market yourself to companies. Google yourself, just as a recruiter might do. Do the search results represent you well? Communicating your personal brand consistently across all channels and touch points will help you set your own reputation and establish a strong presence.

+Build your experience.

Standing out as an ideal candidate takes a little more effort than just joining networking and professional organizations. Employers seek candidates who are actively involved in organizations and invest time in learning more about industry trends and opportunities.

Contributing to industry growth by mentoring and taking the initiative to finding new solutions to industry challenges will help you set yourself apart in the print industry. Learning new skills, specializing in a certain area or niche, and focusing on technology, social media, and integrated marketing campaigns—not just ink on paper—will also give you a leg up against the competition.

+Brush up your resume and social media profiles.

Keeping both your resume and social media profiles current are crucial. You don’t want to portray yourself as “stale,” but rather as an evolving entity.

Mistakes are all too common when creating a resume. List accurate, specific information in chronological order and zero in on aspects such as the client mix, sales volumes, industry awards and honors, year-over-year growth rates, skills, programs and equipment used and other areas in which you were successful.  Limit it to one to two pages and allow someone to proofread it to ensure there are no grammatical errors.

+Research and practice.

There is truth to the old adage that practice makes perfect. Research the company you are interested in applying. Know the specialties of the company and the equipment it currently uses.  Don’t exaggerate in the interview; instead sell yourself with your strengths and the value in which you can bring to the company. 

Don’t:

+Bad-mouth past employers.

Bad-mouthing past employers only reflects negatively on the candidate and shows a lack of maturity and professionalism. Resist the urge to do so and focus on the positives versus the negatives. Potential employers are looking to hire someone who is an organizational fit and being spiteful will risk your chances of success.

+Be unrealistic.

            Present the skills you have. Potential employers understand that recent graduates and entry-level candidates do not possess the same magnitude of skills that a career veteran does. However, employers do value ambition and an eagerness to learn and grow.

+Be nervous.

You know yourself and what you are capable of better than anyone else, and there is no reason to be nervous for an interview. Just remember to dress professionally and neatly and arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.  Bring your resume, references and a list of questions about the direction of the company and the role for which you are interviewing.

Treat each interview as a unique, personal meeting with value, preparing for the experience in as much detail as possible. This is your chance to sell yourself to a company as though you are selling a product to a client. 

CGX Annual Shareholders' Meeting Tonight

Tonight is the Consolidated Graphics annual shareholders' meeting. To most companies, this might just mean a conference call and maybe a slide show via webinar. For CGX, the annual shareholders' meeting is an event of it's own, one that kicks off the National Associates Meeting (NAM) and brings in top investors, bankers, customers, and employees of all levels to discuss the past year's progress and plans for the year(s) to come.

This year, as in previous years, a ballroom full of interested parties will network and share insight on Consolidated Graphics and the printing industry as a whole. The shareholders' meeting will be held at the Hilton Americas from 5pm to 7pm, with networking to follow.

For the two days following the annual shareholders' meeting, an inspiring, ambitious group of recent college graduates who represent the future of Consolidated Graphics. CEO Joe Davis started the Leadership Development Program back in 1992, and the award winning program has received numerous accolades for its ability to attract and retain top talent to the seemingly unglamorous printing industry. Sitting in a room with this intelligent, young group, one might wonder why they turned down various opportunities to work at a printing facility. However, once you hear stories of associates becoming leading sales reps and company presidents, you realize that at a company like CGX opportunity is endless, and your future is whatever you make of it.

LDP Program Forges the Future of Printing

Beginning in 1991, CGX CEO Joe Davis realized that in order to stay at the forefront of printing, it was important to introduce young talent to the otherwise maturing industry. In response to this need, he began the Leadership Development Program (LDP) by recruiting three candidates at Texas A&M University. One of those is now a company president.

In its 18th year, the LDP program has introduced 391 associates into the print industry. Of those, 232 are currently participating in the three year program, evidence of the recent growth the program has experienced. Many of these associates go on to become presidents or remain with Consolidated Graphics in a variety of roles.

"Associates join the LDP program because of the opportunity it provides," said Rody Grant, Director of Recruiting, Training and Development at Consolidated Graphics. "These associates get very involved with the companies they work for, and gain the tools and support they need to be successful." Grant oversees the LDP program and facilitates the rotations and boot camps that associates have the opportunity to experience.

CGX now recruits associates at over 70 universities from across the country, and seeks students that are outgoing, sales oriented, and well-rounded, having participated in campus activities like student government or extra-curricular organizations. While a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, "CGX is looking for more than book smarts," according to Grant. "As we continue to move more toward digital printing, we are looking for graduates that are knowledgeable in technology and are able to push the industry forward."