How to get a job in Jaguar Design: my 7 top tips
Today a career in car design is much more competitive than when I first started my automotive career. It’s critical that you stand out from the crowd. Here are my top tips when applying for a job here at Jaguar.
1. A killer portfolio is key
When I first arrived at Jaguar, I received a portfolio once every few months. Now we’re getting at least one a week, from all over the world. Portfolios say a lot; they are the first point of contact. Some of the books I get are beautifully made; they’re like coffee table books, but it’s the content that really counts. I can tell from four or five pages how good somebody is. It should show the thought process, with sketches and quick ideas, right through to a fully rendered car. Remember I don’t need to see your life story in drawings (although I do sometimes get it!).
2. Write a killer cover letter to go with it
Remember that your portfolio is going to land on my desk with lots of others. A cover letter is a must. This needs to be succinct, showing an understanding of Jaguar. Give me an indication of your genuine interest in not just being a designer, but being a Jaguar designer.
Before you go for an interview, you should find out about Jaguar. Find out about the person who will interview you. Who are they? What do they do? What are their interests? This gives you the advantage of knowing how to deal with them, because you deal with people according to their character. We all do.
3. Demonstrate creative thinking and drawing ability
I am often asked what qualities I look for in a designer. The most important mental skill is to be creative and to be able to think laterally. That’s the first thing I look for in any designer. The main physical skill I’m looking for is your ability to draw. Drawing is how we communicate.
4. Be yourself down to the last detail
First impressions are everything. I’m not necessarily expecting you to turn up in a three-piece-suit or a shirt and tie. People can present themselves in all sorts of different ways. You have to present your character as you really are. Designers look at details. I know a very famous entrepreneur who, when he sees people for the first time, looks at the heels of their shoes. Be aware that people are looking at these details. Don’t take the chance.
5. Be interesting and interested
Be prepared for what you want to say. You’ve got to be clear about what you want out of the job; not just financial benefit but real personal gain. The best candidates are interesting to talk to, and leave me wanting to know more. That’s always fascinating. However, I have interviewed people who just won’t stop talking. It’s nerves a lot of the time. Don’t be nervous, we’re all human. Be concise and listen.
Don’t forget to smile. It’s all about human interaction and a smile says so much about somebody.
6. Be a team player
We need an eclectic mix of people who fit into a team. I don’t have time for overly-confident, single-minded people. I used to be one of those people who could only work on my own, and that’s why I left Ford when I did, to set up my own design studio with “me, myself and I”. But since I have arrived at Jaguar, the most important thing I’ve learnt is to manage teamwork. A car is made up of thousands of parts and no one person can work alone with such a magnitude of work.
I say to my team “leave your ego at the door”. Of course every designer has an ego. Of course every designer wants to get their design up front. I’m quite happy with that. I’m not asking them to forfeit their design for the sake of teamwork. I’m asking them to understand that everybody in the team has something to offer and they must respect that. I don’t mind individuals with an individual character, but remember you are part of a team.
7. Show your love of learning and improving
The most important thing to remember is that your latest work is not necessarily your best and even if you think it at the time, it will get better. That is what makes a good designer.
There’s a lovely quote from Thomas Edison which I utterly believe in: “When you’ve exhausted all of the possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.”
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Start your Jaguar journey here.
Associate Dean of Culinary Arts and Hospitality
6 年Car design was my first love...then I became a pastry chef... now I just drive ...fast...
Начальник Конструкторского Бюро Электронных систем "Управляющая Компания Холдинга"Минский Моторный Завод"
6 年Ян крутой, чел бесспорно, но последние разработки Кошака - откровенное УГ! на одну морду "пластиковая тара", невпечатлил((((
Finding my own kingdom
6 年U told us that , the one and most important thing that you consider to be a designer in ur firm is about the creative drawing of models. Isn't it?? If v draw pics and snd to u , if u like that will u hire us or will look for experienced one. The question is if someone have the talent but got no experience , will u choose the talented ones ??
Car Designs most connected person // Headhunting // Training & Development // Strategic and Executive Consulting for Car Design Departments // CEO at Konzepthaus
6 年The funny thing about this post is of course that this is what an employer wants. The problem is that especially the car design industry has become a much more competitive market from an employers perspective. More players as well as a lot of companies thinking that hiring more people means they will get better design. There is a sincere lack of proper planning on how to hire and what they want to achieve with a certain position they fill - most of the time it's just replacing and that won't cut it in the modern day culture and expectations anymore. Is there a proper design recruitment strategy in place? Are the companies investing in design education (the quality of design graduates of the most important schools is very high but has become very similar in style and inspiration because they are not encourage to do some different to challenge)? Are emplyoers willing to reward courage of an unconvential design portfolio? Are employers hiring portfolios or personality? Maybe if they would start thinking about those questions we will move on from styling cars to actually designing them again.