LIFE AFTER SHILLINGTON
You won’t land your dream job by sitting back and relaxing. It's time to hustle. You've put in the hard work over the duration of the course, equipping yourself with the portfolio you need to approach getting a job. Now it's time to make sure you have everything you need to enable you to put together the best application you can. Remember every point of contact with a potential employer is critical. It’s important to be memorable—but for all the right reasons. Start by compiling a list of studios and agencies you would love to work for. Make sure you check out their websites, social media, projects and case studies. Also consider in-house roles for companies you love. These are often listed on their websites, so be sure to check them out.
1. Shillington Jobs Board
11. University of Arts London
shillingtoneducation.com/blog/category/jobs UK, North America, Australia
creativeopportunities.arts.ac.uk UK
2. Design Jobs Board
12. Campaign Live
designjobsboard.com UK, Europe, North America, Australia
campaignlive.co.uk/jobs UK, Europe
3. If You Could
13. The Loop
But even if there isn’t a position advertised, you can still send your work through. Make sure you do the research to find out who you’re sending it to, not just a generic email address.
ifyoucouldjobs.com UK, Europe, Australia, remote
theloop.com.au Australia
4. Design Week
14. The Design Kids
jobs.designweek.co.uk UK, North America, Australia
thedesignkids.org/jobs All Countries
Networking and developing your contacts by attending creative events can also be a really great way to find job opportunities. Start by joining your local graphic design association and checking out their events.
5. CreativeGuild
15. AIGA
creativemornings.com/jobs UK, Europe, North America, remote
designjobs.aiga.org North America
6. Creativepool
16. Authentic Jobs
creativepool.com/jobs UK, remote
authenticjobs.com North America
7. Dribbble
17. Coroflot
dribbble.com/jobs UK, Europe, North America, remote
coroflot.com North America
8. The Drum
18. Krop
thedrum.com/jobs UK
www.krop.com/creative-jobs North America
9. The Dots
19. Talent Zoo
the-dots.com/jobs UK
talentzoo.com/creative-jobs North America
10. Behance
20. Remote
behance.net/joblist All Countries
remote.co/remote-jobs remote
It pays to be thorough. Visit lots of job sites to make sure your ideal job doesn’t slip through the net. Here are 20 websites that can help you do just that!
GET READY Your portfolio and website are looking amazing—but there are a few key things you need to hunt down and land that job.
PDF PORTFOLIO A PDF portfolio is required when a job ad requests a small sample of your work to be emailed. It's designed to showcase the skills required in the ad, impress the potential employer and secure you an interview. Some key things to remember are: • Design your PDF for screen viewing, but also consider how it would look if a potential employer decides to print your application on an office printer
Let it speak for itself A PDF portfolio is reviewed without you there to explain everything, so it needs to speak for itself. Think about how your work is telling a story, and present your work in a logical fashion. An introductory project description can be used to communicate the client problem you were solving, and how you solved that problem creatively. • Keep descriptions clear and concise
• Your PDF portfolio should have consistent branding with your website, CV, cover letter and presentation portfolio
• Include your role in the project and credit people you worked with (photographers, illustrators, conceptual teams)
• Have a cover page so the recruiter knows who created the work they are looking at
• All work created while studying should be labelled as student work
• Always use a consistent grid and ensure you are using design principles
• Credit yourself and make it clear that you created any items in addition to the design such as custom photography or font creation
• Attention to detail is paramount • Spell check and proofread—if this isn’t your strong point, get a friend to check over it for you • The PDF must be small enough to email (no more than 5MB), but the work should look fantastic on screen • Make it easy for people to contact you—be sure to include your preferred contact details
Respond to the job application Each job ad is different, so you should tailor each PDF portfolio to the requirements and the type of studio you are applying for. • Identify the key skills and requirements • Tailor your PDF Portfolio to show the skills listed in the job ad • Curate your projects to reflect the type of work that the studio creates
INTERVIEW SKILLS Be available
Questions you might be asked
Questions you can ask
When organising your interview via phone or email, show your commitment and flexibility right off the bat.
• Tell us about yourself.
• Would you like me to talk through all of my portfolio or just key pieces?
Do your research
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• If you were to hire me, what might I expect in a typical day?
• Explore the company's website (mission statement, history, staff page)
• Why are you interested in working for our company?
• If you were to hire me, what projects might I work on?
• Look up key members on LinkedIn
• What do you think makes someone a good designer?
• How big is the team? How many people work for the company?
• What is the latest design campaign that you’ve seen and what do you like/or not like about it?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
• Look at the studio’s work and prepare short notes on each piece of work • Check out their social media presence • Review any articles, interviews and press releases written about the company
• Tell me about a design project that you’re proud of and what your process was.
• Where do you get design inspiration from?
Be prepared
• Do you prefer to work as a team or solo?
Being prepared is the best way to combat interview nerves.
• How do you handle tight deadlines?
• Practice talking through your portfolio with family and friends • Prepare answers to common questions • Have questions for the interviewer to show you’re invested and serious about the job
• What kind of design projects do you love to work on? • Were there any mistakes you’ve made as a designer and what did you learn from that experience? • What are your salary expectations? • Do you have any questions for us?
• Do you provide professional development opportunities? • What do you see as the most challenging aspects of this job? • What do you enjoy about working for this company? • How would you describe the company’s culture? • Is there anything else I can provide to help you make your decision?
The folio gets you the interview, but the interview gets you the job... CARLO MUSSETT, STUDIO BRAVE
YOUR RESUME
COVER LETTER
Your resume should be a direct reflection of who you are as a creative and individual. It should be consistent with your other professional collateral.
Think of the employer as the client and the job advertisement as the brief. Have you answered the brief?
It’s a one-page document that sums up your work experience, emphasises your skills and briefly outlines your educational background. Think of your resume as a marketing tool used to communicate your value to potential employers. Make sure you include: • Contact information • A link to your online portfolio or website • Your professional experience • Your skill set • Educational background • References (if ad specifies)
A good formula to remember is: • Introduction • Specific, organised examples of relevant work done and problems solved • Concise conclusion and call to action Make sure you include: • Contact information • A link to your online portfolio or website Tips • Make sure you find the best person to address your cover letter to
Resume by Tim Tijink •
• Don’t be afraid to do a little flattering— impress your potential future boss with an acknowledgement of their success
• Awards
• Make it easy for the employer or recruiter to locate your contact information
You could also consider outlining any relevant passion projects and highlighting any unique skills or experience you may have.
• We recommend that you create a professional email account to ensure your job prospects don’t get lost in the shuffle of your personal email • Getting a custom domain name for your website is optional, but if you do decide to go down that route then consider what you want your URL to be—we recommend something professional that includes your name
Resume by Oleksandr Lykhohrai
Yes, design can make you happy... STEFAN SAGMEISTER
Leave behind by ORIGIN.DESIGN
SOCIAL MEDIA
LEAVE BEHINDS
It’s important to make yourself Google-able. It is time to get ready and get social!
While it's optional, an object that you leave behind can help an interviewer or client remember you. It can be anything memorable, but make sure:
Do your research to figure out the best online platforms to show off your work and connect with industry. You don’t have to do it all! It’s best to select a few channels to master—sharing and interacting on a consistent basis. And remember, whichever social media channels you choose, make sure they’re clearly linked from your website. For more information check out the Life Online handout on The Guide: theguide.design/graphic-design/ life-online
Business Cards by Marina Cardoso
• It's branded consistently with the rest of your identity • It showcases your best work in the best light possible • It's something the recipient would want to keep
KEEP PUSHING There are plenty of ways to keep on top of your game.
PASSION PROJECTS
WHAT ABOUT INTERNSHIPS?
Passion projects are a great way to do the work you really like, upskill and potentially gain work opportunities.
An internship involves working for a company for a fixed period of time, gaining invaluable industry experience while demonstrating your worth to a potential employer.
When you finish at Shillington, and are searching for jobs, passion projects can be a great way to continue your learning. Consider collaborating with your classmates!
Internships are a touchy subject. For some people, unpaid internships are a deal breaker. For others, it’s how you get your foot in the door. That said, there are some things to consider:
Passion projects will allow you to:
• Make sure you will be getting real advice and industry experience
• Do more of what you love • Learn as you go and not worry about failure
• Establish the length of the internship and possibility of a job afterwards
• Play to your strengths • Collaborate with your peers • Seek feedback and make connections
Illustrating the Australian Alphabet— a passion project by Sophia Mary Mac
• Find out what the role involves
TIPS • Ask questions—not just how, but why • Be available and efficient—treat it seriously as it could turn into a real job • Be friendly and helpful • Share your ideas and opinions • Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and add the experience to your resume • Don’t let an internship stop you from job hunting • Don’t feel guilty for leaving if another opportunity comes up • At the end of the day you deserve to be paid for your time
• Discuss money and how many hours you will be expected to work • Internships are usually advertised on a company’s social media page
THE FREELANCE GAME
JOIN OUR SHILLUMNI
Thinking about freelancing? Many designers take on small freelance projects whilst working in a studio or company.
Workspace
It's probably a good idea as a graduate to get some studio experience before you jump into your own business. Working as part of a design team provides numerous benefits such as a stable income and learning new skills.
Equipment
But if you are determined to run your own freelance business, there are many factors you should consider. Accounting and taxes Research your country's tax requirements and consider how you will approach your accounting—either with software like Xero or a professional accountant. Personal branding Develop consistent branding across all your collateral—consider your portfolio, website and stationery. Don’t forget things like your invoice and quote templates. Online presence Manage your design-specific online presence across social media and professional platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram. Project management It's important to consider how will you stay organised and meet deadlines. There are a lot of project management tools out there you might like to try. Budget and expenses Determine your hourly rates and/or project fees and correctly account for all your expenses. Copyright + IP laws Know your rights when it comes to copyright and intellectual property rules for creatives.
Will you work from home or in a share space? Consider your rent, phone and internet costs. Think about the hardware and software you will need such as a computer, design programs and printer.
The Shillumni network is how our graduates stay connected. Join our private Slack channel and Facebook Group for discussions, resources and events. Make the most out of your new network:
Pricing and contracts
• Slack is the go-to spot for Shillumni. To get your invite, e-mail shillumni@ shillingtoneducation.com
It's important to make sure you have covered yourself financially and legally.
• If you prefer Facebook, request to join the global group:
Community
facebook.com/pg/Shillington.FB/groups
How will you connect with the creative community and develop a support network?
• Check out your Shillumni Discounts:
PRICING WORK
• Bookmark the Shillington Jobs Board:
Something you need to work out as a freelancer is how you will price your work. When considering your hourly rate, think about what your rate has to cover. If your sole income is freelancing, you will need to cover more overheads. You need to survive from it, so don’t undersell yourself. If freelancing is your side hustle then you won’t have as many overheads, so your fee might be a little lower. Basically you’ll need to work out this rate for yourself. There are various resources out there that can help so make sure you do some research into your particular market. It can be helpful to price using project fees rather than discussing hourly rates. List out and price all the items a project would cover. This means you are not disadvantaged by working faster. If you do a job in two hours and it would take someone else a whole day—should you make less money? That’s why project fees are a good way of talking about costs to a client. For more info check out the Freelancing & Networking handout on The Guide: theguide.design/graphic-design/ freelancing-and-networking
shillingtoneducation.com/shillumni
shillingtoneducation.com/blog/ category/jobs • Research local design Facebook groups and meet-ups. These are great resources to get quick alerts, find out about events, ask questions and get feedback.
• Add Shillington Education to your LinkedIn profile to join the global alumni directory. • Tell all your family and friends that you’re a graphic designer—in person and on your social media. You’d be surprised how many new clients and projects can come out of your existing network. • Bookmark Shillington Design Blog and visit it when you’re in a creative rut. You will find lots of resources and inspiration: shillingtoneducation.com/blog • Not currently receiving Shillington’s newsletter, graduation invites or alerts? Subscribe in the footer of our website: shillingtoneducation.com • Spread the word with the Shillumni Referral Program. If you refer a graduate, you automatically go into a draw to win an iPad Pro: shillingtoneducation.com/shillumni • When you’re posting work on Instagram make sure you tag @shillington_ and also #Shillumni.
CAREER GUIDE The Guide membership includes access to the Career Guide—a comprehensive set of career resources—including interviews, case studies, mini assignments and more!
Become a member at theguide.design/careerguide