How *to* get a design job
Having covered the top ways to disqualify yourself from consideration for a design job, here are some more constructive ideas on how to stand out, get attention, and maybe even get that design job you want.
- Research the company before applying. Find out if you know anyone I know, have worked with, or who works here. Work that connection.
- Have a LinkedIn account, if only to more easily track where you’ve worked and your professional connections. (I can’t remember the dates of past employment, can you?)
- Have a nicely designed PDF résumé named “Your_Name_Resume.pdf”, but don’t over-design it. This is a one to two page document summing up your goals, skills, and experience. And I am only going to look at it once or twice.
- Have an online portfolio that showcases the kind of designer you are and want to be. Are you a print designer? Behance or Cargo Collective might be good options. Are you an interactive designer? A customized Tumblr or Wordpress theme is a minimum requirement.
- In your portfolio, explain your role in each project, how it met the business goals, audience goals, and contributed to the client’s success. If you cannot discuss your work, you may as well not have done it.
- Show only a few projects in your portfolio, not everything. Edit, be choosy, show me the great stuff. Showing more does not cover for a lack of experience.
- Have a Twitter account but make sure you use it. Twitter is a great way to network with local designers. For reals.
- Write a thoughtful cover letter that tells me: 1) you researched the company and job, and understand how your skills/experience fit our need, 2) you’re a human and not a robot, 3) you actually want this job and not just any job. But don’t be too verbose. And please, find synonyms for “love” and “passionate.”
I really want to hire you, so help yourself and make it easy on me!
