Entering the Job Market
At this time of the year, I usually get a lot of calls and visits from designers who have recently entered the job market and want to know how to get a job.
- First question I usually ask is “Where are you looking?” is this job market saturated with designers? If so, move to a larger city where there are more opportunities.
- Are you reaching out to people online or via a phone call after you send your resume?
- Are you only applying to jobs you see posted in the newspaper, online job postings from non design agencies like craig’s list?
- Instead of applying only for jobs that are advertised create relationships with designers and ask to bring your portfolio to their office and see if they can give you any pointers on your portfolio.
Designers know other designers. Friends tell their friends if there is an opening and then if they see someone they are impressed with then they will send potential candidate to see their friend.
Getting a job in the creative field is about relationships and getting your work in the eyes of plenty of people. Because they might not be hiring but they might know someone who is.
You will probably have to move. Rising Seniors get ready to do that. Plan on that being a reality, unless you live in a big city like Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Raleigh, Birmingham, Austin, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and plenty plenty of other cities that have multiple design firms.
Look at the most recent How Magazine’s, or Communication Arts’ Design Annuals and see the firms you would love to work for. Where are these firms? Go there. Create relationships with these people before you move via social media.