Master these ‘soft-skills’ to break into the creative industries

When it comes to making your mark on the creative industries, talent matters, skills matter, but what really gets you ahead is your mindset – the ability to collaborate, to work in a team, to network and put yourself forward, to market yourself, and present your work in a way that gets clients and potential employers not only excited about the idea but excited about you. These are often referred to as so-called ‘soft skills’, but they’re vital. They’re also the thing they don’t really teach in schools, with many young people having to learn as they figure things out for themselves.

As part of D&AD Shift with Google, students who’ve swerved the traditional university route into the industry have been developing these skills as they prepare to pitch their work to industry. Here, they share some of the secrets they’ve learned to help you to navigate your way into the creative industries.

D&AD Shift with Google is a free, industry-led night school programme for new creatives. If you are over 18 and don't have a degree-level qualification, Shift is for you.