Is Mac Experience Essential?

[drewbie_wan]

I find it best to bullshit with them... and figure it out when you get hired:)

i got hired at a magazine and one of the requirements was quark and i had never even heard of the program. but i said i knew how to use it got the job and just worked my @$$ off to learn it.

[zumojuice]

As long as you know the programs. You can be selective with the truth and indeed bend it but don't lie. For example, I don't know Quark, but I know InDesign well. So adapting from one to the other won't be too hard for me. If the company likes your work, the a cross over training period won't be a problem in most cases.

[Pignut]

Originally Posted by zumojuice

As long as you know the programs. You can be selective with the truth and indeed bend it but don't lie.

Ah but it's such a fine line, as many a politician has found to their peril!

Actually, I understand what you mean and just wish that employers were keener to recruit based on design skills and ability more than specific technical experience. Particularly when products/platforms have so much in common (as in the InDesign/Quarl example you give).

[tommylogic]

Bottom line the General Rule is... designers are liars. It's in our creative nature so the boss expects it

[Cwilk]

Originally Posted by LeadMagnet

There is usually no right mouse button unless the mac is using a 3rd party mouse. Ctrl + click brings up the context menu instead. It's odd i know, but that's how they like it for some reason.

I have an Apple mouse that I use all the time and it has right and left click as well as a middle (scroll) button. I haven't used a 3rd party mouse in ages, and mine is not 3rd party.

As for the Mac/PC thing.....While a PC and a MAC operate pretty much the same with graphic software, most print-based designers still use Macs and many graphic artists and pre-press bureaus still prefer dealing with documents from a Mac platform. It's also generally accepted that color calibration is more reliable on a Mac. Macs also have fewer security issues. But my main thing between PC vs a Mac is that I can manage the memory on my Mac whereas the PC doesn't like you to know or touch anything when it comes to adding hardware or using the memory how you'd like.

Unfortunately I have to agree with other designers, you pretty much have to tell white lies in order to get a position. That's how I got my first AD position. I told the interviewer that I had all of this experience which, was the truth. The problem was that my graphic design experience wasn't in my job description for past jobs. So I got several of my past supervisors to write letters of recommendation regarding my supervisory and graphic design experience.

I also had to learn Ventura Publisher at one time (just to get the job!). I told them I knew how to use it, so I went out and purchased a copy and learned it before I started.

The things we do. : )

[zumojuice]

hehe. flirting is also allowed, if you are lucky to get a female boss/interviewer.

[onesummer]

why not find someone who's trashing or selling an older MAC for cheap? then just practice with it at home. I may actually do that myself. hehe, anyone getting rid of their old, outdated mac? ;)

[Mack]

apply no matter what even if you dont meet minimum requirements. like whats been said, they may like something about you and be willing to train the right person.

[LeadMagnet]

Originally Posted by onesummer

why not find someone who's trashing or selling an older MAC for cheap? then just practice with it at home. I may actually do that myself. hehe, anyone getting rid of their old, outdated mac? ;)

That's not a bad idea, there are some old ones going for very cheap on ebay.

[Pignut]

Thanks for all the replies, thoughts and suggestions.

One possibility is to get hold of a dirty old Mac (sounds ideal to learn Flash with!) just to get used to the thing.

Flirting at interviews might work for some but if you were as ugly as me you'd be running the risk of not only missing out on the job but getting punched in the face as well!

I understand about applying anyway, regardless of experience but my understanding is that (in the UK at least) there are always many, many applications for junior design posts and as a result, employers can afford to overlook anyone who doesn't quite meet the spec.

It reminds me of something I recently read in the "Top Tips" section of the UK "Viz" comic:

"Employers - avoid hiring unlucky candidates by simply throwing half of all application forms straight into the bin."

- Genius