This mostly an attempt to encourage newly graduated graphic (& web) designers to apply to as many positions as possible.
Must have PHP, JS, & walk on water experience
Recently, I landed a pretty sweet job. I’m finally starting to realize all those skill-set-loaded job board descriptions were full of fluff, and rarely reflect what the company is really looking for in a new hire.
This was a familiar scene for me: I read a job post. Notice I’m missing 25% of the skill set. Walk away without applying. Wrong way to do it.
Make your presence known
I share my testimony, because that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. As someone fresh out of college, I’d suggest you apply to as many positions as possible, even ones that seem out of your league. Ultimately, the employer will decide if you fit the role. So go nuts, apply to a hundred job openings! It’ll only help.
Don’t be shy: meet people in your field
One thing’s for sure, people are always more willing to trust a personal reference, over someone they’ve never met. So meet lots of people in your field.
In web design especially, there are tons of events all over the place. Find one and go! I was surprised at how many people were interested in just meeting up and talking about neat things happening in the industry.
Another great suggestion I wish I had heard a long time ago: Comment on inspiring work you see. A compliment goes a long way. Small things count and they add up quickly.
Obvious suggestions?
Maybe those were painfully obvious suggestions. But, after graduating from college, I hadn’t heard them. If someone would have clued me in, I might have liked it.
What do you think?
4 comments
1 Stuart Aug 31, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Hi,
I got to your site, I don’t know how, however I agree with your out there attitude as in get yourself. Nobody knows exactly what they want and in the end is only paper and time. Plus its alway good to invite the unexpected and roll a dice as WHO KNOWS.
Stuart
2 Jason Robb Sep 10, 2008 at 8:06 am
Thanks for the input. Indeed we only lose time and paper (resumes, portfolio) trying to get ourselves out there. Keep rolling the dice!
Jason
3 Andrew Brown Oct 4, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Its baffling when you hear about a friend you know that somehow made it into a company you thought impenetrable (eg. Google) with their or your own skill set
Its Attitude that determines your Altitude.
4 Jason Robb Oct 5, 2008 at 11:50 am
Hmm, I like that. Attitude determines altitude. Specifically ones attitude towards their own capabilities.
Maybe I’m not alone, but in the beginning it’s too easy to sell yourself short. “Who wants me to build a website for them?” “I’m new to this, so I won’t charge them that much!” — these kinds of things. Teaching fresh graduates how to price their work would be priceless.
That ought to be a required course “How much do I charge? – How to estimate and bill your clients accordingly.”