Tips for Graphic Design & Game Design Candidates Looking for their First Job

Many recent college graduates in the field of graphic design and multi-media have run into a brick wall when it comes to finding a job in recent years.



This happened for two main reasons:
-When the recession of 2007, it was not uncommon for companies to cut back on their advertising and therefore their marketing departments.
-The continued decline in the number of companies that are traditional print publications, direct mail, and print news media.


So what can a graduate do to combat these things and land a job?
Jennifer Guilette of Laughlin Constable in Milwaukee was kind enough to provide some insights:

The first tip was to get some experience through jobs, internships, and networking:
“Find companies you are interested in working at or look for the types of jobs you would like to do. Follow the companies on Facebook and LinkedIn. Check out their websites. Go to networking events like BMA and Milwaukee Interactive Design Group. Networking is huge! Find connections into that company. It is okay to name drop if you have that person’s permission. Know the community the company is based in and the clients they serve. ”

Are employers willing to help new graduates?
“When you have a contact ask for an informational interview. Ask good questions about the types of projects they work on. What kind of experience and portfolio examples do they look for. If the interview goes well, ask to link in with that person or touch base with that person every three months or so. Follow up is important. Don’t be obnoxious!


Let your network know when you’ve completed a new project or started a new job, or maybe congratulate the company you interviewed with on a new contract they announced. Do something to let your contact know you are still interested in their company and keep your name in front of them. It is not uncommon for someone to get hired 4, 8, or even 12 months after an informational interview because they kept their names in front of the company and when the time came that they had an opening they were the first people called.”

What should a student have in their portfolio?
“An online portfolio is a must in today’s job market. Experience is the key. It is okay while you are a student to not have lots and lots of “real world” samples in your portfolio because employers understand that you are a student and you are still working on your skills and you haven’t gotten a lot of opportunities to work on projects for real companies."

What if you don't have any examples from jobs and just have school work in your portfolio?
"If you don’t have examples from actual companies you’ve worked for, create your own campaign for a real business or product for your portfolio. You can either take an existing campaign and change it to show how you would envision it (be sure you are not infringing on any copyright information), or create something unique for a product that you use. Be able to explain how and why you did what you did. Have a complete package showing a company everything you can do for them. Make your samples relevant to the real world.”

How important is a creative resume?
“A creative resume is a key when applying to companies, however your work experience is more important and that is what an employer really wants to see.”

What skills are in demand today?
“Any experience with .NET, SEO, social media, keyword searches, blogs, anything pertaining to user experience. Project Management skills too. The ability to talk to a client and understand them and their needs. To be able to communicate clearly with the client and the creative team and keep everything on schedule is important.”

Once you are on the job, Jennifer reminds you that:
“It is important for a candidate to show enthusiasm on the job. Make sure you show up every day and do good work. Ask questions on how projects are done or how you can make what you are working on better. Once your projects are done, ask your supervisor for more work or ask other departments if they have other work you can do.”

Thank you Jennifer!
I hope all of you got some good advice from what she had to say!
Thanks for reading!
Ev
To find out more about Laughlin Constable:
(www.Laughlin.com)
CoolJobsAtLC (our recruiting page)
LaughlinConstable (our main page)
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