CritiqueMyBook.com

We are creative advertising recruiters with years of experience. We’ve worked with portfolios and candidates from an entry level position to Executive Creative Directors. We know when a book is good and when it’s not. We’re current with what portfolios get hired.

We know you can benefit from our knowledge. Heck your portfolio will definitely be better than it was when you sent it.

As owner and president, Breda brings over 20 years of creative evaluation experience to CritiqueMyBook.com. While spending the bulk of that time at The Sandy Wade Company, a top creative placement agency, Breda evaluated the work of thousands of art directors, copywriters and graphic designers. She has placed many talented creative individuals in agencies and design firms around the country. Breda reviewed and critiqued all levels of talent, from seniors in the business to beginners. Additionally, she spent a great deal of time working with entry-level creative talent. She has a long association with many colleges, universities and art schools that offer programs in creative development and has offered her services as an advisor, reviewer and placement agent for many individuals looking to begin their advertising or design careers.

Do you have a portfolio full of ideas?
A competitive portfolio should have 15 - 20 ads in it. These ads should showcase the way you think and demonstrate unique ideas.

Does your book consist of 5 fabulous campaigns?
A strong campaign consists of at least 3 ads for the same product based on a common theme. Campaigns demonstrate not only your ability to come up with a great concept, but also your ability to carry that thinking across more than one ad.

Do you need an unbiased opinion of your work?
Friends and relatives are great to have around, but they usually don't have a critical eye for what's competitive in the ad world these days. Getting an opinion from an industry person is invaluable.

Are you ready for constructive criticism or true praise?
The first day you show your work is the first day you should learn to develop a tough skin. You'll receive many comments on your work, and many of those comments will conflict with each other. The goal is to listen to it all, take notes and re-evaluate your work when you start to hear common themes from the critics.

How much does this cost?
A full critique of your work is $100.00. That includes a detailed point of view on each ad or campaign with suggestions on how to improve your work. The fee also gives you access to additional tips and suggestions on how to search for job opportunities and be prepared for the interviews.

How long will it take?
Once we receive your work and payment, the process will take an average of 7 days.

How do I get my evaluation?
Your evaluation will be prepared online and a password protected area will be set up for you to view it. Only you will have access to your evaluation.

Will my book get better?
There are no guarantees. What we will say is that our opinion of your work is based on many years of evaluating work and identifying what industry folks are looking for. We offer our evaluation as a guide to what directions you might take to enhance your work. Ultimately, however, it's up to you to decide which suggestions to follow. We have helped many creative individuals improve their work and go on to land great jobs in the business.

Will you tell me if I have what it takes to get into the business?
We will definitely tell you if we believe your work is competitive.

Will my book be ready after the evaluation?
That depends entirely on the how your book looks when you bring it in. We have seen books that had a very long way to go, books that were ready for an interview and everything in between.

Do I get my samples back?
To simplify the process, we prefer that you send simple copies of your work for review to eliminate the need to send work back through the mail system

Can you get me a job?
Finding you a job is not the focus of CritiqueMyBook.com. However, if you meet our strong qualifications/standards and are evaluated as highly competitive, we will share your resume and contact information with the top agencies that subscribe to our service. You will learn if you meet this criteria in your evaluation.

In addition to getting a full review of your portfolio, you will also have access to additional tips and information about interviewing and the industry.

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