students

For students just starting out on their career path, how to start can be daunting. Learning how to be a professional designer and participating in the design community are important steps as you make your first connections. Its never to early to start building bridges.

You probably have spent so much time completing your courses and building your portfolio, you have ignored what happens next. We offer these tips to help with those first steps which include creating a great resume, making a good impression and nailing the interview. Look at them as tests that show off your ability to follow instructions and be professional.

Also, consider joining your local chapter of AIGA or tapping into kernspiracy. Here's a good place to start: AIGA: Get a Design Job!

Application Tips
Résumé Tips
Portfolio Tips
Interview/Follow-up Tips

the application

When first applying to any job, it is vital you do one thing correctly: Follow instructions. That means if you are asked for references, provide them. ALWAYS send a cover letter. A quick note of introduction in an e-mail does not count. Cover letters are important for several reasons, including demonstrating your written communication skills.

Start with creating your own stationery in InDesign on QuarkXpress. Address it to A PERSON, tailor it to the job your are applying for and be genuine. Then have someone else proof it for grammar and spelling. Poorly written resumes and letters get tossed. Do not send a form letter, and don't include it in the body of your e-mail. Save it as a PDF and attach it. This is your first test so pay attention to details.

Key points:
1. Follow instructions
2. Send a personalized cover letter, on your own stationery
3. Proof it carefully
4. Attach it as a PDF
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your résumé

Let’s get this straight right now, you need a resume and it needs to be good. Real good. You’re a designer after all, everything you create should be well-designed. If you can’t understand this, find a different career.

If you don’t know how a resume should look, research it. It should be well-designed and well-written, clear and informative, not fluffy or vague. This is your first shot at showing a prospective employer how you think not only as a designer, but as their employee. This doesn’t mean create a press kit, its still a resume and that comes with limitations and expectations, just like any other job, so follow the formats. This is not the time to re-invent the wheel, so save the originality for the leave-behind. And please, make sure the contact information is current. Finally, save it as a PDF and be sure to attach it.

KEY POINTS
1. DESIGN your resume
2. Include pertinent information
3. Make sure it’s current
4. Safe it as a PDF and attach it
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the portfolio

Your portfolio should be considered a piece into and of itself. Its more than a collection of samples, it IS a sample. It speaks volumes of your organization, production and presentation skills. It should include only your best work, printed or not. Remember this: you’re only as good as your worst piece, so keep it simple - 6 well-designed pieces will be better than 12 if half aren’t very good.

As for the case itself, unique is usually better than generic, but there are plenty of quality, off the shelf books to choose from. The case makes a nice first impression to be sure, but once it’s open, the work has to shine. An interviewer needs to get through it smoothly and you need to be able to update it easily. This is true for traditional page portfolios, hard cases with mounted boards, digital media, even your website or blog. Whatever you choose, be sure to present your work professionally. This is your first, and best, opportunity to demonstrate not only your talent as a designer, but your production, organization and communication skills as well. Take advantage.

KEY POINTS
1. Your portfolio is a portfolio piece
2. Be creative, but be professional
3. Make it count
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the interview and follow-up

Your interview is both a visual and a non-visual presentation. There are plenty of talented designers out there and they (mostly) all know their programs, so its very important to use the interview to stand out from the crowd.

First, prepare. Practice presenting your work. And then practice some more, in front of family and friends. Avoid phrases like “just” and “small” as in “this is JUST a school project” or “this is something SMALL I did for a friend”. These phrases diminish your work. Be proud of your work, otherwise, take out. Every piece should have a little 15 second story that explains what it is, the parameters and how you solved the problem. For example, “This is an identity for a non-profit organization that helps children read after school. They had a small budget, so we limited the printing to two colors and used an existing template for the website. The logo represents...”. This allows you to show your thinking behind the project, and is a non-visual clue to what type of employee you will be. Do you have a personality? Can you think on your own? Are you more than pretty pictures in a pretty case?

Second, dress appropriately. This is an interview, not a day in the graphics lab or late night at your desk. If you want to be taken professionally, dress professionally. This doesn’t mean a suit and tie or dress and heels, we’re designers after all, not accountants. But it does mean clean and sharp. Show your style, but don’t overdo it. Impress, but don’t be flashy.

Third, show up on time. Ask in advance for directions or if there are any parking restrictions. Online maps and GPS are great, but don’t assume it will be easy. Instead, assume you’ll get lost and confused. Double check directions and plan ahead.

Finally, be clear and professional. Nothing kills an interview faster than an impersonal, soft spoken, lazy presenter, who assumes their book will speak for itself, or the interviewer will ask all the questions. Be friendly, offer information, be honest, but mostly, be yourself. Be prepared to answer all those cliché answers, like, “what’s your biggest asset, your weakest trait, how do you respond under pressure, what do you hope to be doing in five years, what do you bring to this position, what do you like to do outside of work...”. How you answer these questions tells as much about you as a person and employee as your portfolio does about your skill set, so practice your responses.

follow-up

Why is this so uncommon? Your prospective employer just took 30 minutes or so out of a - probably since they’re hiring - busy day. The least you can do is thank them for their time. A quick HANDWRITTEN NOTE is the best second impression you can make. It says, “I care”. Sure it’s old school, but most people really like getting mail and a thank you note is the best. It reminds them why YOU are the best candidate for this position. An e-mail is an acceptable second choice, but only if you’ve already established that as an appropriate means of communication.

KEY POINTS
1. Practice
2. Dress appropriately
3. Be punctual
4. Be prepared
5. Follow-up
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