Should you work with a creative recruiter? Advice from Craft

Starting out in the creative industry can make it tricky to know if – or when – you should reach out to a recruiter. You might hear about friends landing jobs through recruitment agencies, but it’s not always clear what they actually do or how the process works. We spoke to Emily Rogers, design recruiter at Craft – a global recruitment agency specialising in creative roles. Here, she shares practical, honest advice on how to prepare, what to expect when applying for freelance and full-time positions, and when it might be better to hold off.

What does a creative recruiter do?

Creative recruiters act as a bridge between companies and candidates. They work across a range of studios and agencies, helping to match creatives with roles that suit their skills and interests. Unlike in-house recruiters, they’re not tied to one organisation, so they often have access to opportunities you won’t find publicly advertised.

At the same time, a good recruiter can help you present yourself in the best light. “We understand how difficult it can be to promote yourself or open doors,” Emily explains. “We can do this in a way that really speaks to the clients we work with, while understanding what both sides are looking for.”

And because they work across the industry, recruiters develop a strong understanding of different studios’ cultures, project types and expectations and can guide you towards roles that align with your skills and ambitions.

What does the process look like?

Using the process at Craft as an example, it all starts when you send the recruiter your CV and portfolio, or get in touch to introduce yourself. From there, a consultant (not AI!) reviews your work, and if they think they can help, they’ll invite you for a one-to-one conversation.

“That first chat is really just about understanding you,” Emily explains. “We’ll talk about your skills, your interests, and the kind of roles you’re aiming for. If something comes up that could be a fit, we’ll check in with you before sharing your details with any studios.”

If you’re put forward for a role, the recruiter helps manage the process, including setting up interviews, handling back-and-forth with the client, and helping with any offer or negotiation. “We’ll also keep in touch once you’ve started, just to make sure everything’s going well,” Emily says.

One of the Craft team

When to reach out

If you’re clear on the discipline you want to pursue – and have a portfolio, personal or paid, that reflects this – reaching out to a recruiter could be a strong next step.

If you’re still figuring that out, Emily suggests using talks, events and podcasts to explore your interests, then developing personal projects based on the work you’d like to do.

If you’re early in your career, it might be tempting to contact a recruiter right away – but Emily recommends taking time to figure out what you actually want first. “The secret ingredients to working with a recruiter well are knowing what you want and knowing what you’re good at,” she says. “We can’t decide those things for you.”

“You want your portfolio to reflect the work you’re aiming for, not just what you’ve done before,” she adds. “Clients don’t just want to hear about your interests, they want to see them.” For example, try designing a concept for a supermarket brand, or rebranding a hospitality business – whatever reflects the direction you want to go. “If you haven't built up a bit of direction and some work to support it, it’s probably too early to get in touch,” says Emily.

When else might it not be the right move?

If you’re switching career paths or disciplines entirely, a recruiter may be unable to help immediately, especially if your portfolio doesn’t reflect the kind of work you want to do.

“I wouldn’t recommend working with a recruiter if you are looking to completely change disciplines. Let’s say you want to become a brand designer, but are currently an architect – unless you have a branding portfolio, it wouldn’t be the right time to reach out.”

This is because recruiters lead client conversations with your existing experience, skills and body of work – so it’s essential that your portfolio matches the types of roles you want to apply for.

What should you look for in a recruiter?

Not all recruiters work the same way, and transparency matters.

“You should always know who your recruiter is sharing your details with,” says Emily. “That’s standard at Craft, but not everyone does this. There shouldn’t be any surprises.”

Another green flag is honest feedback. “Even if it’s tough to hear, you want someone who’ll tell you how your work is landing – that’s what helps you improve.”

Craft's Common Interest event

How to build a good relationships

Even if you’re not actively looking for a new role, there are ways to stay in touch and lasting connections. “Stay active on LinkedIn – a simple like or comment every now and then is a super low-effort way to stay front of mind with a recruiter,” says Emily.

You should also be honest with a recruiter about your job search: “If you’re already in an interview process, be honest about how you’re feeling about the opportunity, and let us know if you’re in other processes too.”

It’s also worth sharing your updated portfolio when you’ve added new work, as it could help your recruiter match you to upcoming roles. “And we love referrals – if you aren’t looking but you know someone who is, loop us in!”

Why you might not hear back

With hundreds of applicants often going for the same role, it's easy to feel like you’re being ignored by recruiters, especially in the context of a wider job search. But silence isn’t always a reflection of your work.

“We receive over 6,000 applications a month,” Emily explains. “If it’s not immediately clear why someone’s a good fit, their application can easily get lost. It’s not that we don’t care – it’s just capacity.”

To give yourself the best chance, Emily recommends only applying when you meet the job description and making it clear why you’re a fit.

A real-world example

Wondering how the process works in practice? “I was working with a Bristol-based agency looking for a brilliant junior designer. Experience wasn’t a big factor – they just wanted to see standout creativity in packaging design,” says Emily.

“I’d spoken to a junior designer from Oxfordshire a few months earlier, and he’d recently sent me an updated portfolio with a fantastic new packaging project. He came to mind right away – and a few weeks later, he’d made the move to Bristol and started the role. He’s still thriving there now.”

Emily’s tips for early-career creatives

And finally:

Craft is a Creative Lives in Progress brand partner. Every year, we partner with like-minded brands and agencies to support our initiative and keep Creative Lives a free resource for emerging creatives. To find out more about how you can work with us, check out the Partner Page.