Sandstorm Student Center: FAQs
from Students
Life
as a Designer | Design Skills | Finding
a Design Job | Design
Careers | Education
FINDING
A DESIGN JOB
- How
should a student write
a resume if they have never had a design job before,
especially
if they
are looking
for an internship
or entry level position?
- What do
you look for in a junior graphic designer?
- What do
you immediately dismiss in a junior graphic designer?
- I
feel employers are not giving me the chance to
look at my
portfolio because
of my two
year degree.
Is there a
way I can get in
some where
with an associates?
- I wanted
to clarify a question regarding e-mailing resumes and
cover letters.
Is it preferred
to put the
cover letter inside the
e-mail or as an
attachment?
1. How should a student write a resume if they
have never had a design job before, especially if they
are looking for an internship
or entry level position?
I would make sure you designed the resume,
not simply lay it out in word. Use your design skills to
make it stand out, and give it some of your personality.
In the objective, state that you are looking for an entry
level or internship position and that you
are very motivated
to learn.
Sending out hundreds of resumes is one way to find a
job. Another is to network. Get involved in your design
community
and get to know other local designers in your area.
They may be the key to getting you into their company
when
a position becomes available.
Also, I mention this a lot, but volunteer to do some
design work at your favorite non-profit. Non-profits
have tons
of print and web work that they need help with. This
will help you get some real world experience that
you can put
on your resume. In addition, this really exemplifies
your motivation! < back to top
2. What do you look for in a junior graphic designer?
Enthusiasm, a solid understanding of basic design
principles, and the willingness to learn. The greatest designers with
20+ years experience still recognize that they are constantly learning,
and a junior designer should too. I also look for pro-bono work in
a portfolio because I like to see that the designer went above and
beyond to get some real world work in his/her portfolio. < back to top
3. What do you immediately dismiss in a junior graphic
designer?
Anyone right out of school that puts on their resume
that their title was creative director, when they don't even know
what the job responsibilities for a creative director are. If you
are freelancing, just say so, it's a great thing. I also always dismiss
emailed resumes without a cover letter in the message. < back to top
4. I feel employers are not giving me the chance to
look at my portfolio because of my 2 year degree. Is there a way I can get in
some where
with an associates?
Design jobs are hard to get because there is tons of competition.
Thousands of designers are without jobs. You just have to continue
to persevere. Just because you don't hear back from an employer doesn't mean
that your education is the problem. It could be a ton of different things
such
as not having the right software skills, or not the right experience in
your portfolio.
I would highly recommend an online portfolio if you really want to
give yourself a good shot. We rarely meet with candidates to review
a portfolio
before we have seen something online. Most design firms are under
a lot of pressure with a lot of deadlines and they don't have the
time to meet
everyone.
In addition to an online portfolio, start networking. Join the
AIGA, or any other design group and get involved in the design
community.
That is
the #1 way to getting your job and once someone gets to know
you personally and sees your enthusiasm and work ethic, your 2 year
degree isn't an issue.
Also volunteer to design a direct mail piece or collateral at
your favorite non-profit. Get some real world experience and
make sure
you put your name
and contact info on the back of the piece you do for the non-profits.
Most of them will gladly let you. This gets you more exposure.
< back to top
5. I wanted to clarify a question regarding e-mailing
resumes and cover letters. Is it preferred to put the cover letter inside the
e-mail or as an
attachment?
I'd put a shorter version of your cover letter in the
body of your email, and the full cover letter in your attachment with
your resume. You can never be too professional, and it makes a great first
impression. < back to top
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