[thinking out loud]

i would think that as a concept artist, your personal style would matter as much or more than your technical skills. Sort of like greeting card artists, many of whom are in such of field because of their lack of skill but nice style. So if you wanted a job and had skills, you might get turned down simply because they don't like your style/look.

That's a lot less insulated than being, say, a 3D modeler or a product photographer.