How to get your first design job

If you're looking for your first job in design you'll be up against designers that live and breathe design. If you're not one of these people employers will quickly work this out. It's unlikely that employers searching for a Junior Designer will expect their new junior employee to have the most refined skill sets or an expansive portfolio but they're looking for the people who will one day become great. This is only possible if you are motivated and passionate about design. 

Great designers can't help but design. Well-executed and relevant personal projects can be a job-winning element of your portfolio. Equally, those that have put time and effort into designing their own cover letter, CV and portfolio show they can't help but think about the design of what they are creating.

Learn about who is doing the best work in your field of interest. Follow great designers and design agencies, read up on what they have to say, explore and analyse their work, then be prepared to talk about it. Read design-related publications and blogs such as Offscreen and A List Apart. Surround yourself with good design and develop design heroines and heroes. You'll find this has an effect on the quality of your own work and you'll be able to talk confidently about the industry you're trying to break into. 

When it comes to applying for jobs you need to back up everything with evidence. It's no good saying you're an effective team player, you need to give an example of when you've worked in a team and how you have worked effectively. Employers also want to see the process you've used to create work. How do you deal with the whys and hows whilst you're designing? Equally, if you say you can code don't just send flat design mock-ups or a portfolio based on an out-of-the-box WordPress template. 

If you're replying to a job description and there is a skill set that you don't have don't simply ignore it. It's better to explain what little you do know about that subject and demonstrate a keen ability to learn new skills as and when you need them. Employers will want to see examples of where you've learnt a new skill to solve a problem. Skills can be learnt but if you don't show the ability and determination to learn this doesn't look good. 

If you're applying for a digital position make sure digital work makes up the bulk of your portfolio. If your online portfolio is a mix of different disciplines create a second one or at least a PDF that focuses on the job you're applying for. If the first piece of work an employer sees isn't relevant to the work they do they will have alarm bells ringing. Employers need to see that you're doing the right type of thinking. If it's a digital position they'll be much more interested in how you shape a user interface or how you deal with design across different devices than how well you know the print process. A varied skill set can be useful but demonstrate it appropriately in the context of the position you're applying for. 

The truth is good jobs are hard to get but spending your days practising your passion is worth the effort. Good luck!  

If you think you can demonstrate the qualities outlined above you might be just who we're looking for. Visit our jobs page for the latest information.