How to become a graphic designer – Find employment

Finding employment as a graphic designer involves a strategic and proactive approach. Here are some steps to help you in your job search:

Showcase a diverse range of your best work in an online portfolio. This is a visual representation of your skills and style, crucial for impressing potential employers.

Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Emphasise your proficiency with design tools and any specific achievements that set you apart.

Explore job search platforms is one of the best and most efficient ways to search and apply for a job. Set up job alerts to receive notifications about new opportunities.

Here’s a selection of my favourites job search websites for creative positions:

• Indeed
• Reed
• Totaljobs
• Design Jobs Board
• If You Could
• Charity Job

Enlist the help of recruitment agencies that specialise in creative and design roles. They often have access to exclusive job opportunities. The benefit of a recruitment agency is they work with both employers, who are searching for talent, and professionals, who are on the hunt for career opportunities. A recruiter can match you with a job that requires your skills and experience.

Here’s a list of my favourites creative recruitment agencies:

• ADLIB Recruitment
• Creative Recruitment
• Aquent
• Major Players

Create a profile on LinkedIn Jobs to boost your chances of getting hired through people you know. LinkedIn is not only an online CV but a platform where scores of employers are looking for prime candidates every day. Linkedin is also a great way of networking with leading figures in your chosen industry and promoting your achievements by building up a professional online presence.

Maximize the potential of your LinkedIn profile by keeping it up to date, being comprehensive about current skills and objectives, highlighting recent experience, obtaining recommendations and endorsements for work skills, and actively building your network.

Using Linkedin also allows you to connect directly with hiring managers at the companies you are interested in, helping you personalise your communications and stand out as a candidate.

Visit the career pages of companies and creative agencies you’re interested in working for. Many organisations post job openings directly on their websites.

Create your own opportunities. Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to wait for an invitation to apply for a job. While you’re more likely to land a position when a company is actively recruiting, many jobs are awarded without ever being formally advertised. Additionally, there’s far less competition when you apply for unadvertised jobs. Contact an organisation directly to inquire whether they have any suitable work opportunities available.

Think of your current connections: past employers, former professors and colleagues, friends, and family, and ask for possible referrals. Even if that group is not large, take advantage of your connections to get the most out of your job-seeking efforts.

Before sending an application, ensure that you apply only to roles for which you are qualified. Make sure you genuinely possess the core skills needed for the positions you’re applying to; if you lack essential skills, it’s better not to waste your time or a recruiter’s.

Avoid applying for entirely different jobs within the same company. Recruiters using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can see all the roles you’ve applied for at their company. Some individuals apply to multiple openings, making it challenging for a recruiter to discern their specific interests or self-awareness about their abilities.

If a company has two very similar roles open, it’s advisable to apply to both. Or if you possess a wide range of skills and interests, and would be equally happy in two distinctive roles, you can apply to both. However, remember to tailor or target each resume you submit to the specific job.

After sending the application, keep track with a job search spreadsheet. A job search spreadsheet is a valuable tool for staying organised and keeping track of your job applications and interviews.

In my experience, I’ve found it very useful to have an organised system for tracking the applications I’ve submitted. Staying organised with job search spreadsheets can help you keep track of jobs you’ve applied to and interviewed for, and enable you to follow up with potential employers promptly.

A job search spreadsheet usually include the following information: company name, job title, job posting URL, contact person, application date, follow-up dates, status, location, salary, application method, interview details, outcome/feedback, notes/comments, and the next steps.

Customise your job search spreadsheet to align with your preferences and needs. Regularly update it to stay organised and effectively manage your job search process.

In the days leading up to the interview, focus your research on the:

• Employer – you need to show that you understand the business beyond the basics. Find out about the company’s values, accomplishments, and challenges by conducting some research before the interview. It can be helpful to look into things like their website, social media profiles, and mentions in the news. You can then use this information to develop thoughtful questions to ask during the interview.
• Role – read the job description again and refresh your memory of how your skills and qualifications match the role. It’s vital that you can explain why you want the job, that you understand the role and, even more importantly, why the employer should choose you over other candidates.
• Interviewer/s – you can use LinkedIn to research hiring managers and interviewers to find out about their likes, interests, and more. This may help you to connect with your interviewers and create a positive impression during the interview.
• Questions – take a moment to consider how you’ll articulate your design process and experiences when faced with common interview questions. Craft thoughtful responses that highlight your problem-solving skills, creativity, and the impact of your work. Equally important, prepare a set of questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and the role, showcasing your proactive approach and eagerness to contribute to the design team’s success.
• Presentation/Design task – it is very common for designers to be asked to do a task to show their skills in the design process. Normally you’ll be provided with a simple brief asking you to create something that you’ll be presenting during the interview. This gives you a real chance to show what you’re made of, so you should make an outstanding presentation that proves the value you can provide to the employer.

Before going to the interview you should prepare the items to bring with you:

• Copies of your resume and cover letter
• A list of references and recommendation letter (if you have one)
• Copy of the job description
• Your portfolio
• Presentation of the task (if requested)
• Laptop/tablet fully charged
• USB stick with a copy of all the documents
• Google Drive with a copy of all the documents
• Pen and paper
• A bag, briefcase or backpack that neatly contains all your items

Consider having printed copies of your documents for all the people that will be present at the interview. It is always nice to give them something they can have a look at and physically touch. Also, it will help you stick in their minds once you’ve left the room. Save digital copies on your USB stick as well, just in case they have a TV or projector ready for your presentation or if internet is slow or not working.

After an interview, it’s essential to take a few strategic steps to reinforce your candidacy and leave a positive impression.

• Send a thank-you email

  Express gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. In your thank-you email, briefly restate how your skills align with the needs of the position. Emphasise how you can contribute to the team and the company’s goals based on the discussion during the interview. This not only shows appreciation but also reinforces your interest.
• Follow up on promised actions

  If you mentioned any follow-up actions during the interview, such as sending additional work samples or references, ensure you promptly deliver on those promises.
• Assess your performance

  Reflect on the interview. Identify aspects where you excelled and areas for improvement. Use this self-assessment to refine your interview skills for future opportunities.
• Professional follow-up

  If you haven’t heard back within the specified timeframe, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email expressing your continued interest in the position and inquiring about the status of the hiring process.

Remember, the key is to stay professional, express gratitude, and keep the lines of communication open. These actions not only showcase your professionalism but also contribute to a positive overall impression during the hiring process.

A job search can be tough no matter what profession you’re in, but just remember: keep going! You’re on the path to doing something you truly enjoy. Continue exploring other opportunities until you receive a formal job offer. This ensures you have multiple options and can make an informed decision. Don’t take rejection personally and discard envy. A rejection today could land you a job tomorrow or a new client further on.