Job Tips
Via Eric Engstrom, Interior Designer
Research and get information. Identify the firms you admire and would like to work with. Always know what type of work a firm does, and what type of work you want to do. Design is now defined into very specific practices – hospitality, retail, residential, healthcare, commercial/office, and sub-categories such as restaurants. Tailor your portfolio to what you want to do, and who you want to work for.
Be clear and brief. Have a brief resume that outlines your experience, education, and skills. It helps if you know AutoCad, PhotoShop, PowerPoint, and also have the ability to sketch freehand. And the resume should be ONE PAGE, have good graphics that differentiate it from others, and have NO spelling or grammatical errors..
Be a Designer (capital D). Any interior designer selling himself or herself needs to have a graphically exciting portfolio that illustrates the designer’s ability to develop a functional space plan, uses graphics creatively and with clarity, shows exceptional color and materials abilities, and can be viewed on a laptop. That means no tiny lettering/type, fewer rather than more elements, and an easily understood focus. Don’t put too many student projects in – most firms want to see what you can do with real problems, not an instructor’s requirements. Include one or two pages of sketches. You want to show what you’re good at. You need to stand out from the crowd.
Be assertive and proactive. If you can’t get an interview, personally deliver your information to the firm you want to interview. Even if the receptionist says they aren’t hiring or interviewing leave your materials. And call the receptionist back a few days later to see if she or he has forwarded it to the people who make hiring decisions. Keep calling back if you don’t hear anything. Always remember that you are interviewing the firm, as well as the other way around. Have your portfolio on a CD to send or leave with your resume.
Become involved. Attend meetings and functions of professional organizations – IIDA, AIA, ASID and organizations of specific area practitioners like health care or hospitality (HIA, NEWH). Get to know the design community. Join the organization you like best, network with other designers at functions, and work on a committee. It really is sometimes who you know that gets you the leads to jobs and projects.
Be Positive. Sometimes it’s discouraging to be looking for a job or projects in a down economy. But you have to stay focused and positive – it’s contagious. Let people know how enthusiastic you are about being a designer – and how much you love what you do.
Via Facebook
Via Hacker News
Via Twitter
Research and get information. Identify the firms you admire and would like to work with. Always know what type of work a firm does, and what type of work you want to do. Design is now defined into very specific practices – hospitality, retail, residential, healthcare, commercial/office, and sub-categories such as restaurants. Tailor your portfolio to what you want to do, and who you want to work for.
Be clear and brief. Have a brief resume that outlines your experience, education, and skills. It helps if you know AutoCad, PhotoShop, PowerPoint, and also have the ability to sketch freehand. And the resume should be ONE PAGE, have good graphics that differentiate it from others, and have NO spelling or grammatical errors..
Be a Designer (capital D). Any interior designer selling himself or herself needs to have a graphically exciting portfolio that illustrates the designer’s ability to develop a functional space plan, uses graphics creatively and with clarity, shows exceptional color and materials abilities, and can be viewed on a laptop. That means no tiny lettering/type, fewer rather than more elements, and an easily understood focus. Don’t put too many student projects in – most firms want to see what you can do with real problems, not an instructor’s requirements. Include one or two pages of sketches. You want to show what you’re good at. You need to stand out from the crowd.
Be assertive and proactive. If you can’t get an interview, personally deliver your information to the firm you want to interview. Even if the receptionist says they aren’t hiring or interviewing leave your materials. And call the receptionist back a few days later to see if she or he has forwarded it to the people who make hiring decisions. Keep calling back if you don’t hear anything. Always remember that you are interviewing the firm, as well as the other way around. Have your portfolio on a CD to send or leave with your resume.
Become involved. Attend meetings and functions of professional organizations – IIDA, AIA, ASID and organizations of specific area practitioners like health care or hospitality (HIA, NEWH). Get to know the design community. Join the organization you like best, network with other designers at functions, and work on a committee. It really is sometimes who you know that gets you the leads to jobs and projects.
Be Positive. Sometimes it’s discouraging to be looking for a job or projects in a down economy. But you have to stay focused and positive – it’s contagious. Let people know how enthusiastic you are about being a designer – and how much you love what you do.
Via Facebook
Via Hacker News
Via Twitter