Hi, this is Anne with Graphic Design How To, and today I'm going to talk to you about how
to get your very first graphic design job....about eight tips on how to do that.
We're going to talk a little bit about your portfolio and setting goals for yourself and
then actually applying.
So let's get started.
OK, number one: You need to make a goal for yourself.
Write it down in a place that you can see every day.
And just keep telling yourself this goal.
A good example is, 'I will be a graphic designer at an agency by the end of this year.'
Some specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goals: S.M.A.R.T.
goals.
Those are really important, and they help you really focus on what you want.
So that's tip number one.
Number two: Your portfolio.
When you're uploading projects, you need to pace yourself.
It is really hugely overwhelming to try to say, 'I'm going to get my entire portfolio
done in a week.'
A better idea is to do one project a week, or even one project every two weeks.
And that way you aren't so totally overwhelmed.
Just give yourself some time to get that done, because you want it to be perfect, and you
don't want to rush it.
Number three: Since we're on the topic of portfolios, you need to take a look at your
thumbnails and really think of them from someone who's visiting your site for the first time.
Which ones are they really going to click on?
You need to make them super interesting and super clickable.
By the same token, your description shouldn't be too long.
You don't need to write a book about every project.
Just make them short.
A couple sentences is really all you need.
Once you get the interview, you can really talk more in depth about your projects.
Also on the same topic...number four is, have your portfolio projects in order from best
to worst.
You're only as good as your worst project.
Most people, when they're looking at your portfolio, will only click the first few projects
to see how good of a designer you are.
They probably won't click through every single project that you have.
Number four: Put them in order best to worst.
Number five: Job shadowing.
You should really try to job shadow as often as possible, and there are a couple reasons
for this.
Number one, you get to know what you would like to do as a designer.
Maybe you like web design, maybe you're more of a production art person.
Those job shadowing opportunities can really let you know what you're interested in.
And another thing is you're building connections by sitting with someone who's already in the
job that you may be getting.
You are building that connection, building a network of people.
And of course, you should always add them on your LinkedIn, if you haven't already.
Your resume and cover letter: When you're getting ready to apply for jobs, make sure
that your resume and cover letter is tailored to the job that you want.
So you should not send out the same resume and cover letter to every person.
You should make it specific to what they're looking for.
So go ahead and change things as you need to, to make it really personal for them.
Now we're going to talk about actually applying.
So number seven is, apply to every company that's hiring in your area.
Don't be picky.
Now is not the time to be picky.
You can order them by how badly you want the job, and then apply in that order.
But I wouldn't leave anybody out, especially at this stage in the game.
You can make those kinds of decisions when you're really seasoned.
Number eight: Don't apply for just graphic design positions.
You should be applying for production artists, art director, lead designer sometimes.
Maybe you already have a little bit of experience in college as a graphic designer, so you can
say you have that experience, and you might qualify for a lead designer position.
What else is there?
Web designer.
There are so many opportunities out there.
Just apply to everything.
Don't be picky in that way either.
OK, those are the eight tips for today.
This is Anne for Graphic Design How To.
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