Part One > How I got my placement with BLOODHOUND SSC.

A.    Joined the supporters club.

When the project was announced back in October 2008, I was immediately interested.  Actually, interested isn’t the word.  I was wide-eyed-jumping-up-and-down-excited-and-revved-up about the project.  This wasn’t a case of ‘Oo, I could get a placement out of this’, it was a case of ‘wow, this is amazing, I want to be a part of this’ situation.

Within 3 hours of the launch I had signed up to the 1K Club.  This is the supporters club for the project; which allows you to go along to talks by the designers, the driver, the engineers and anyone else who has a hand in the project.  It also gives you exclusive access to news before it breaks, to limited edition merchandise and access to the project from the inside.  Think of it as a supersonic IMechE crossed with a Mechano club without the branded T-shirts.  Except we do have the branded T-shirts.  And polo shirts.  And caps, shirts, jackets, scarves and hoodies.

I know it sounds like I am plugging the 1K Club quite a bit, but it really is worth it, and it was a major contributor to where I am now.  My hat (BLOODHOUND branded hat of course) goes off to Ian Glover who runs it; each event is enormous fun and always amazingly interesting.

Anyway.  I joined the 1K Club.  It was there that I heard Richard Noble talk about the aims of the project and how it was being carried out.  It was there that I saw the story of the design unfold, and it was there that I met John Piper.  I got myself known through these events; and in the end it was that that sealed the deal.

B.    BLOODHOUND@University

Whilst all of this was going on, like any good battle an attack was launched on another front.  By another front, I mean the University, and by attack I mean getting involved.  As the University of the West of England (UWE) was one of the BLOODHOUND Project’s founding sponsors, a project was arranged for students to help design the cockpit for the car.

Now I know that you would immediately raise a few eyebrows about the viability of a group of twenty-somethings designing the office of a 1000mph vehicle, but the entire project was used as a proving ground.  It set about to validate both the idea that student participation would be beneficial, but also that the guys behind the desks in the Design Office were following the right track.  A few fresh minds to a job can often work wonders.  I once again was amazingly lucky – I was one of the ‘fresh minds’ that worked on this project.

Rather than go into depth about the design process itself, I shall merely point you in the direction of the media coverage that was gained from fitting the driver to the mash of MDF.  Incidentally, if you wish to go and see the rig, it is now on prominent display at an excellent exhibition about ergonomics that currently resides at the London Design Museum.

C.    Sent off my CV.

When the time came and the shadow of placement was looming just over the ever approaching horizon, I broached the topic of Industrial Placement with John Piper and the engineering team.  As you can imagine, John is quite a busy man (being lead engineer on a supersonic-world-record-breaking-car isn’t exactly a walk in the park), so I didn’t harass him.  I mentioned that I was looking for something and showed just how keen and enthusiastic I was.

When it came to sending off my CV, I was honest.  There is a lot of misrepresentation and truth-bending with CV writing, and I don’t think that is fair.  Yes, say that you have done freelance graphics work if you have gone and designed some leaflets and posters for a restaurant, but you probably shouldn’t if you have done a headed agenda for your local gardening club.

I made sure that all of the covering letters were polite and respectful (and spell checked!), and used the time in-between correspondents to apply elsewhere.  Granted, BLOODHOUND was my main choice for placement, but I had backup plans.  Always have a backup plan.

D.     Patience.

The hardest part of the entire placement application process is the waiting.  You have sent off your CV and taster page, you have had pleasant conversations with the designers and management, and they have said the second worst line you can hear.  Obviously the worst is ‘no thanks’, but a close second is ‘thank you, we will be in touch’.

Now you have to wait.  And wait.  And wait some more.  The temptation at this point is to ring them or send them an email every few days just to make sure they have read through your polished and well presented profile.  The problem is that doing that will in most cases annoy them greatly, turning your expensively printed CV into the world’s most expensive paper aeroplane.

What I did was use the time productively.  During the response time, I sent off other applications, I kept up to date with all of the latest news on the project, and redid my portfolio for the umpteenth time.  Every three or so weeks I would send an email asking (politely) if there was any update on the application process, but would combine this request with a few samples of recent work.  This was I didn’t sound too desperate, or if I did I still diverted their attention away from it.

E.     The Interview.

Again this is a hurdle that a lot of people tend to fall down at, and without sounding too cocky (and most likely failing miserably) I am never really sure why.  Interviews are about being yourself, or at least making everyone else think that they are seeing you being yourself.  As long as you are relaxed, well rested and reasonably confident in your abilities you will be alright.  Once again, there are thousands if not millions of pieces on interview technique out there, so go take a peak.  I went in to that interview slightly nervous I shall admit, but I was prepared.

I was wearing a full suit; something that not only shows you are taking the interview seriously but also gives you that extra boost of confidence.  I knew every detail about the organisation I was going to and about my own work.  Best of all though I was armed with a freshly printed, £120 portfolio.  It was printed on high quality paper, at an excellent printing shop, and was displayed in a nice case.  It sounds like a lot of money, but this is something I can add to and use again for years to come.  Worth every penny, especially if it makes your work stand out over everyone elses.

And that was it.  Six months later I have travelled the length and breadth of the country, designed test rigs that have been used in South Africa, I have done basic concept work on steering wheels, made models, produced documents, made carry cases and CAD files, learnt drafting and email etiquette, and also learnt that no matter where you end up getting placement; it will most likely be kept afloat by one magical substance.

Part Two > What advice would I give for getting a placement?

1.    Get yourself known.

With social media and networking being in abundance, the easiest way to get yourself recognised is through the internet.  If you are not already on Twitter; join it.  Most big design firms and high profile companies have their own twitter stream – follow them, read what they have to say and ask them questions.  This does not mean bombard them with enquiries, but merely show an interest.  ReTweet stuff you find interesting, send them links to articles and posts that you think they may like.  In the end what may make your name stand out from the rest in a pile of CVs is simply the fact they recognise it.

This goes the same for other forums on the internet too.  Comment on blog posts, look at Tumblr accounts, read their LinkedIn and view their Flickr page.  Again, don’t become their stalker, but do enough that the small voice in their head that says ‘Hmm, I recognise that name’ pops up when they see your cover letter.

2.    Go to meet them.

The majority of design and engineering firms with the exception of the defence industry exhibit at certain points.  Go along.  Not only will you expand your knowledge of the company, but you will also get to see other similar opportunities.  Chat to the designers.  Try to understand why they do and more importantly, how they do it.  This again will help stand out for the crowd, but also give you the reassurance (or perhaps dissuade you altogether) that this is the company you want to work for.

3.    Wording is very important.

A common problem with coming from a design or engineering background is that people seem to have an issue with traditional spelling and grammar.  From personal experience, the number of people who send out letters, CVs and portfolios without spell checking them first is absolutely shocking.  With almost all word processing programmes now having spell checkers built in, there is no excuse for this.
One other problem that you have to sidestep around is the way you word letters.  Naturally be polite, be courteous and be respectful in your tone, but don’t lose all of the individuality in your writing.  You still want to stand out, so keep an element of yourself in the text.  Do not, however great and desirable your skills may be, assume you are already a part of the team.  Making suggestions for improvements or general ideas to companies can go down exceptionally well, but phrasing it in a way that says you are heavily involved in the running of the company can rub people up the wrong way. You – yes. We – no.

4.    Don’t give up.

It is very easy to get disheartened whilst searching for placement.  I saw it happen to some of my closest friends.  They would send out requests, and get rejected, and then have to do it all again.  Do not give up on the chase.  If you get turned down, then thank them kindly and move on.  Still keep in touch with them via point 1 and 2; situations may change in a few years time.  Keep trying, keep sending out requests, and keep your enthusiasm.  Sometimes it is easy to see that someone will get turned down for a placement – they have already given up.

So there we have it.  I cannot guarantee that you will get a placement if you follow these guidelines.  I cannot say that you will go out and get an interview with the first company you follow on twitter.  I am not even going to wish you luck on this one.  You don’t need luck.  You need to believe in yourself, and know you are a good designer.  Who else is going to believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself?

Go now, and produce another draft of your CV.

I am going to go and get a coffee.