Probably you are aware about the drill. In case you are looking for a job, you have to do following: internship, network, make your profile. However, you do not want any kind of job. But, you want the job that can allow you to pursue your skill and passion—job in the top graphic design firm. There is only one snag. Such jobs are portfolio-driven that search will appear very daunting. It is particularly true for the new designers that are trying to get the bearings.
There are many different ways and path towards winning graphic design work, however, besides looking for different routes, and you find nothing exclusive in it. So, it is very important you look for best opportunities, and getting project with vigor, passion, and determination. So, here are some helpful steps if you were thinking how you can make the good career as the graphic designer.
- Find Out the Hidden Market
It’s the new job opportunity, which isn’t yet published on internet by the hiring manager. Best method to find the new openings at the top graphic design firm is by connecting to the network. So, here are some ways you will have to stay connected to this hidden market:
- Meet with the previous colleagues one time in month for the lunch
- Connect with the people over LinkedIn
- Build alliance with HR experts
- Send resume to the company even though there is not any job posting
One common mistake that the new graphic designer will make depending on the job opportunities published on internet to find new work. Often connecting with the successful people in this industry offers you the good chance to be hired straight without any inevitable competition.
- Nurture peers network
In this design world, peers must be seen as the support network and not rivals we perceive that our peers as the competition rather than supporters and collaborators; however, in this design world, it is complete opposite. Here, it pays to nurture the network of peers. Let us say for example, project that somebody passes on because of the busy schedule or short budget may be the project, which is the right fit for you –so great piece you can add to the portfolio that opens the doors to the larger opportunities as well as new ventures.
- Continue formal education
Suppose you have started the job search as self-taught designer without any college degree, then you may be running in the issues. Doesn’t matter if you think it is fair, the employers value candidates that have some degree. We have used the job posting analysis program to review more than 53,000 design job postings as well as found that around 78% candidates with the Bachelor’s degree at minimum. Always remember, the employers are totally risk-averse and often are strapped for the time—suppose two candidates with the similar portfolios will apply for the job, degree will be the simple tie-breaker for the candidate since it shows that they have invested in this role.
Not just will the education in the graphic design improve your skills as well as offer certain proof of abilities, however, it can also offer you with the best networking starting point. There is not any secret networking will be pretty awkward. However, if you have anything in common with the connections—like school that you went to—process will be very simple.
- Complete Your Internships
Most of the college programs or courses do need graphic design internships, but, there are some providing candidate’s good opportunities to scale high level of practical experience, which will help them to form the best professional relations in design community. So, it is very important that you complete your work as per the presentation given in graphic design and portfolio “book”.
- Begin Freelancing
Suppose you are the new professional in a graphic design industry, then freelancing is the best option to get some work experience. Benefit to be the freelance graphic designer will be working on the contract with the business will lead to the full-time employee in case company is happy with your design work. Best method to find the freelancing opportunities is searching for the opportunities on internet. You will send inquiries to the companies of any interest with use of the professional portfolio and show your work samples. Here’s the list of some ways you can turn the freelance gig in the full-time job:
- Work as the independent contractor and request for the contract in case your work will be reviewed at an end of a contract for the future employment.
- Apply for the work from the home opportunities and where you’re the employee that can work remotely.
- Ask your manager if you may discuss any opportunity of working with a top graphic design firm if team is happy with your design work.
HR considers the freelance experience as the real-life job experience. It’s good to freelance than to be out of the work and waiting for the firm to hire you.
- Be Updated
The graphic design is the constantly changing as well as developing field. It is provided for every designer to know the current requirement or trend of this industry before they go ahead with the application or it is possible they will leave behind soon. It is very important that you stay updated with the latest software programs in graphic design that are at constant evolution state. It is mainly true for the designers who are working as the freelancers, or for those who are interested to advance to the higher positions in the companies. Some organizations offer members with the educational updates on the new technology, methodology or software. Completing the certification programs in the vendor-specific software will help to build your credentials.
- Work on the software skills
The formal study is all about the principles; however you will want more practical training on software as well. Most of the programmes of the formal study do not focus highly on the specific software skills, or for some good reason. The academic courses are about understanding the timeless concepts or principles, as well as developing the ability to solve the problems. The software packages will change on month-to-month way, and it will be really tough for the academic institutions to stay up with them although they wanted.
It stays the fact, although, that majority of the design job demand that you are skilled in the specific design software, most commonly Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign. Good news is there are many ways you can speed up with the packages, easily and quickly. To learn Adobe Photoshop, for example, may want to take the structured course online; follow some free Photoshop tutorials that are available on internet; or search YouTube and fill these gaps in the knowledge. So, whichever way you can educate yourself, important thing is putting what you have learned in the practice. Ensure you have worked up the pieces to put at your portfolio or something very concrete to discuss in the interview.
- Create Compelling Portfolio
Whereas solid resume is one important aspect of the job search, one biggest asset to somebody searching for the job in the graphic design is the impressive portfolio. Although graphic designers may need the resume, an only way for the employer to know the applicant’s abilities is by the portfolio demonstrating complete range of work or growth as the designer.
There was the time when portfolio for graphic design was the simple collection of the designer’s best magazine and newspaper advertisements. The professional portfolios now are sophisticated, and consisting not just of the print ads, but including advertisements online, website graphics, as well as TV commercial reel or animation demo. It’s common for the job seekers now to carry complete digital versions of the portfolio on DVD or CD with them for the interviews – all along with the traditional paper version –or many designers maintain their updated design portfolio sites.
- Join the design community
Finding the job is more than only combing internet for the listings. There can be many jobs; however, if you do not know where you can start, it will not at all matter. So, by getting involved with the design community, you can find an encouragement or direction that you want. The communities will provide plenty of valuable details like the job search advice or constructive critiques of the work. They can also help to give you the inside track to the job opportunities, which are not advertised publicly. Even though such approach does not lead straight to the employment, seeing work of others or staying connected with the community of graphic designers can help to keep you motivated and inspired on the search.
- Come Back to School
The graphic designers might opt to advance their creativity, skills, as well as deep knowledge of field just by adding the graduate degree and post-secondary certificate. But, there are the master’s degree programs made specifically for the designers who want to advance in the theoretical studies or concentrate the work on studio degree).
Conclusion
Last piece of advice is to keep moving ahead. Keep up the task of emailing, calling, or anything you do on the constant basis. Never take any kind of rejection personally & discard envy. The rejection now can land you the job tomorrow or new client later on.
