As aspiring graphic designers look toward securing positions in the creative marketplace, ofter they are unaware of the expectations of hiring managers, art/creative directors, and human resources departments. What’s expected varies widely from small businesses, to design firms, to corporate creative departments, to advertising agencies.
What should a designer know,? How can they prepare for success? The second installment of this series is an interview with a colleague who has seen the hiring process from a variety of vantage points.
Andrea Coyne
Multi-passionate writer, creative communicator, and entrepreneur
Andrea is a well-rounded communications professional with more than fifteen years of experience in agency and corporate environments. Her specialties: include: strategic campaign development, copywriting & editing, employee engagement, event planning & production, project management, and public relations.
From your experience in a variety of communications settings, how valuable is a designer’s online presence and digital portfolio?
Andrea: Whether you’re going for an internship, or first or mid-level graphic position, having a strong online presence and digital portfolio is wise. When I helped hire interns and designers in agencies, it was these factors that often determined whether someone was invited for an interview or not.
If I had two similar resumes in hand, and one designer shared a strong design portfolio (it can be compelling samples attached to an email, or better yet, a dedicated website of your work that doesn’t clog up email space and shows well-rounded capabilities like print and digital design), that gave that designer the edge and the opportunity to proceed in the process.
What about social media?
Andrea: Secondary to seeing a portfolio is an active LinkedIn profile. A LinkedIn page helps to legitimize your work and affirms that you are who you say you are. It may also show connections that you have. These people may serve as references formally or informally.
Special caution: In addition, all designers should pay careful attention to the messages they post on social media platforms. Every post communicates something. Keep all interactions as professional as possible. Employers are definitely looking at social media.
How to prepare for an interview in a smaller agency or business environment?
Andrea: In a smaller agency especially, there are no HR managers, so employees who will be your peers or supervisors are the ones reviewing candidates. Give them a reason to want to engage with you and make their jobs easier! It’s like the PR person who gives a scoop to a journalist and gets a front-page story. Make it easy for them. Give them everything they need to know and do what they ask. This gives a candidate the best chance to land a job. Provide easy access to a resume, LinkedIn profile, and design portfolio.
How to prepare for a position in a large corporate environment?
Andrea: In corporate America (privately held global organizations of 4,000 employees), we often looked to freelancers to help support big projects. Before I would just farm out a project, I wanted to see a designer’s experience to help show credibility. For example, do you have what it takes to handle what I’m asking? Do you have experience working with other significant brands or companies?
Maybe you did a design project in college for a Coca-Cola contest. YES, THIS COUNTS. Be honest about how you represent each sample; it’s OK that you didn’t actually work for Coca-Cola. You should show and be able to explain your portion of the work. For example, if you worked within the corporate brand guidelines, tell me. This lets me know if you understand how to work within brand requirements.
Also, as we all know, not all projects are super fun and can lean more toward production work. Show these too. Be able to sell how one experience can transfer to another. Show me you pay attention to detail and strive for excellence, not just out-of-the-box thinking (some brands don’t look for crazy creative ideas. They want consistent design/voice). Make sure you show you’re willing and able to follow directions and follow design briefs.
In conclusion, does a digital portfolio matter?
Andrea: SO YES, absolutely a digital presence matters when it comes to landing a design job. It’s often what gets you in the door and gives you an edge (as long as your work is good!) over another designer. It makes life easier for those in hiring roles. The fact is, if you make them work too hard and dig too much to determine if you have what it takes, they will move on to someone else.