http://www.axelvanzyldesigner.com/

To contribute:
I feel like the definition of ‘cool’ in the sense used is:

Giver more than a taker
Complimenter more than a complainer
Calmly self-assured more than overcompensating
Energetically relaxed more than anxiously cautious
Responsible more than devious
Team member more than manipulator
Optimistic more than pessimistic

Wow, as I look back over that list I used to be all the things on the right. Through study and discipline I’d say I’m more on the left now.

Thanks again Mike. Any chance you could tell me if my site http://www.the-and.com passes the few seconds test?

The biggest challenge for me is the subject line of the email. I usually resort to ‘Job Title’ | ‘My Name’. It’s safe and boring.

As an hiring Art Director, how do you feel about subject lines? Can they be creative or is it annoying? Do you go through all applicants? If you don’t, what drives you to click?

I aspire to be an art director one day and I already know that I would hire someone based on these same guidelines. Are they a cool, fun, and easy person to work with and do they have great work? It’s basic and something that you will simply know when you come across it.

I feel that a lot of designers get caught up in being too “professional” and end up sucking up to their potential employers instead of saying “Hey, look at me. I’m awesome.” and proving it. If the match isn’t there then move on. Not every director is going to work with every designer. Personalities need to match up for the sake of both parties.

When applying for positions out of college I went on quite a few interviews. In a sense I felt that I was interviewing the director as well. I didn’t want some random job that would hire me. I wanted to work somewhere that I wanted to work and with someone that I wanted to work with. I feel designers should do the same when searching for a boss. The better relationship you have with your director, the better the work will be for the both of you.

— you can post job listings here, too… :)