In June, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to NeoCon in Chicago and speak to interior design students and recent graduates from all over the country about how to stand out in a competitive job market and the importance of personal branding. Joined by 3 other young professionals and our amazing moderator Michelle Kraker, the manager of Student Marketing and Social Media at IIDA, we talked and answered questions for two hours on the topics.
It was an eye opening experience for me to hear the questions asked as well as well as the different experiences each of us on the panel has had thus far in our short careers. Below is a recap of the key ideas and resources we discussed during the panel. I’ve tried to do my best to capture the main ideas, but I have also added my own two sense. Please note that none of the advice or suggestions here are endorsed or representative any of my affiliations.. I also do want to note that I do not receive any benefit or funding for suggesting any resources or books mentioned in this blog. They are just resources that I enjoy myself. If you have any questions please feel please feel free to ask!
GET IT RIGHT FROM THE START
Before you head out to search for you design job you need to know who you are as a designer. It’s important to have a vision for yourself and know your interests and strengths. While you don’t need to be an all start at everything, you need to seek out what inspires you and turn that into a strength. Whether it’s selecting finishes, rendering perspectives, hospitality design, sustainable building practices or mastering Revit.; it really doesn’t matter.
You’re undergraduate education is extremely important. But what is just as important is the time you spend outside of the classroom. Employers want to see that you go above and beyond the call of duty and have a true passion for doing good work. I found who I was through my my leadership involvement at Kentucky and I believe that the skills I learned outside of the classroom is what landed me my dream job at 21. It’s not about padding your resume, because let’s be honest…there is no need to create a long since your resume should only be one page and space is tight as it is.
I recommend getting involved in something outside of your college. It’s not only great for networking with students, faculty and staff but it also allows you to to exercise and develop interests you may not even knew that you had. Look to your schools office for student involvement. They are called different things at different institutions, but those are the people who have made it their job to get you involved in the campus and local community. They can help you get in touch with student leaders in charge of your Student Activities Board, Student Government, local radio, newspaper and other student organizations.
Even if you have to work while you attend school, make sure you find some time to get involved. Maybe you could write a column for your school’s newspaper on design or volunteer to do graphic design services for a non profit? That way you’re developing your knowledge, building your portfolio and showing extracurricular involvement. Where there is a will, there is a way. 
THE JOB SEARCH
Now that you have a vision for your future, you need to find out who holds the vision for your future. A great resource is Interior Design magazines list of Giants.
Utilize you social networking sites. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace (Even though I am personally not a fan, I guess it can’t hurt if your presentation is clear and professional), AIGA Behance Network, Creativehotlist.com. It’s never too early to created a LinkedIn account. Just make sure you complete your profile and look professional.
Seek advice and opportunities from your professors and utilize the career services at your school. Alumni often reach out to their former institutions seeking talent. Make sure you have an updated profile and strong presence.
Go to any professional networking events you can. Student memberships with IIDA, ASID, AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Artists) as well as smaller local groups can get you in the door. Just make sure once you get in you have business cards to share. Moo is my favorite resource for printing business cards as well as mini cards. (Check out their website to find out what those are!)
And while you can plan and research all day and night for that matter, don’t think you have to know someone or you must have an “in” to apply somewhere. While applying online for a job posting you see may seem like a long shot, your next big opportunity could be just around the corner. Don’t sell yourself short.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: YOUR BRAND
Okay, let’s be brutally honest for a moment here. Interior designers are not graphic designers. And to be fair, graphic designers are not interior designers either. This is the problem as I see it…
Interior designers as a whole do not develop strong communication arts skills. I believe this is because of many reasons, including but not limited to a lack of big vision ideas on behalf of design students, incomplete design education curriculums, exposure to other design disciplines and lack of new technology at schools. (But that is a blog for another day.)
And while I am all about working on multidisciplinary teams and developing your strengths, in order to be an effective and successful designer you need to be able to communicate your ideas. So while you don’t need to become an expert you need to become a jack of all trades on some level.
After looking AND reading hundreds of portfolios and resumes, I see more people missing out on career opportunities due to their branding and graphic design efforts. It’s so frustrating because I know the time, money and energy put into these things is enormous, but I believe in tough love. It’s what has made me better as a designer and so I am passing it along to you.
Since I could write and entire series of blogs on essential graphic design skills. But in the mean time these are 3 of the best resources that I feel are ‘interior designer friendly.’ One is a book full with portfolio ideas for multiple design disciplines while the other two are more focused on basic graphic skills.
A Random but important note! If you submit your package online (cover letter, resume & portfolio) keep in mind that changes are it will be printed in black and white. Think about that when designing. I’m not saying to design everything with just black and white, but be aware. Your dark orange type may disappear one it turning into a light gray. Just be aware!
THE COVER LETTER
This is often the first impression a potential employer sees. Make sure your come across friendly, knowledgeable and sincere. Don’t make yourself sound like you are “Mr/Mrs/Miss Perfect.” Especially if your right out of school, employers know that there is know why you know everything. Just be honest and express your interests.
Make sure you know your audience. If you are applying at a commercial firm with more than 10 employees chances are that your resume will be read by Human Resources. They want something clean, simple, easy to navigate and legible. Remember there are ways to be creative without creating an origami folded nightmare that will confuse HR. (Not saying it has not been done successfully…and if it’s you then go for it! But if not, stay away!)
Also, proofread your work! Again and again. Don’t rely on spell check. If you can’t write and spell words in your cover letter, a potential employer will think you can’t correspond to a client via email professionally as well.
YOUR RESUME: THE DO’S & DON’TS!
DO include unrelated work experience if it is all you have. BUT make sure you describe a useful skill set that is applicable to your potential future employer
DO research on the company your applying for AND use the information to create an insightful cover letter.
DO have someone proof read your cover letter, resume and portfolio. DON’T rely on spell check.
DO mention that you are willing to relocate in either your cover letter or objective statement of your resume. Employers want to know you’re serious and not just sending your resume to every position you see available.
DO seek out leadership positions within your college, extracurricular activities and community.
DO seek out timeless typeface options for your resume. Whether you choose a serf or sans serif typefaces does not matter so much, but rather that it fits with your personal brand. Limit the use of a decorative typeface.
DON’T make your resume over 1 page
DON’T overload your resume with graphics. Typically the simpler the better.
DON’T utilize every type weight option. i.e. THIS WOULD BE A BAD EXAMPLE Instead, choose 1 or two typefaces and simply change the size of the headers by 4-6 point sizes.
DON’T include a photo of yourself.
DON’T just spit back company statistics in a cover letter. IE All the Interior Design Magazine Giants are well aware of their ranking.
DON’T leave your objective blank on your resume.
DON’T lie about your software experience; or anything for that matter…
DON’T take advice blindly.
THE PORTFOLIO
This is typically a very daunting task for anyone to wrap their mind around. Half the battle is just getting started. My recommendation is once you come with up a concept stick with it and finish it. My first portfolio was a train wreck, no lie, but I learned a lot in the process.
There are 3 major things you need to think about when putting together you portfolio.
- EDITING! No one wants to see or more importantly has the time everything you have done all 4 or 5 years of college. Also, only put in your best projects. Don’t convince yourself your “showing progression & evolution”. In my opinion, it’s just an excuse to include crappy work.
- Put your good stuff up front. Again, this comes back to time. Your potential employer will have just a few minutes to look through your work to and decided whether or no they want to schedule an interview. Don’t get hung up on chronological order.
- The simpler the better. Remember, unless you want to make 3 different portfolios, you need something that can be emailed, uploaded, printed and mailed.
For tips and tricks for layout check out the links that I referenced under the First Impressions: Your Brand. They’re what I use daily.
SALARY INFORMATION
We had a lot of salary questions at NeoCon. While a few design magazines offer salary information, the best resources that I know of is the salary survey provided by the AIGA. While it is primarily a tool for those in the communication arts, after speaking with many industry professionals we believe that the information is very applicable to those in the A+D community.
The survey examines professional level, geographic location in addition to offering insightful advice to young professionals. There is also an interactive salary calculator which is very insightful!
THE INTERVIEW: THE DO’S & DON’TS!
DO have a positive attitude. Don’t be “Debby Downer” and discuss your terribly difficult job search process. It’s uncomfortable for everyone.
DO dress professionally. But make sure you do some research at the firm your applying for. Every design firm has a different culture but it’s always better to be more dressed up than not enough.
DO know about the place you are interviewing at. May interviewers will ask you what you know about the firm.
DO ask questions! At the end of the interview when they as if you have any questions as one! Or even better two! It’s a test to make sure that you are engaged and interested.
DO find out if you know anyone who works where you are interviewing. LinkedIn is a great resource for this.
DON’T be thrown off by crazy questions like, “Tell me how you would design a spice rack for a blind person?” or “If you were a tree what type of tree would you be?” The interviewer(s) are just trying to get to know you more. Just answer honest and thoughtfully.
DON’T be afraid to ask someone to repeat the question if you don’t think you heard it correctly.
DON’T talk in circles about your design project. Be clear, descriptive and concise.
DON’T be late! Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early. If the directions are complicated, do a test run the day before just so your comfortable.
DON’T accept an offer on the spot. Make sure you take the time read though all of the paperwork so you can make an informed decision.
ABOVE & BEYOND
The ideas and suggestions above are pretty general ideas that can be used by most. But I’ve learned in my life thus far if you want to be the best but need to develop your strengths, recognize your weaknesses and work harder than anyone else you know. If someone else had the job I wanted this is what I would do…
Learn Revit. And learn it well. I was lucky enough to take a Revit course during my undergraduate career at Kentucky. While I know it was not the sole reason I got my job at Gensler, I know that it helped. While all firms are different, if you want to get a job . And if your school does not offer it speak up and demand change. With the cost of higher education, students must demand they have access to the newest software and equipment. No one should be learning Microstation
Get a graphic design student to help you. If you have your own vision and just don’t know how to make it happen, enlist the help of a fellow student. Even if you don’t have a graphic design program at your school I would recommend looking towards those extracurricular groups. They often have graphic designers as part of their teams. You could also check out other institutions in your area as well.
Obtain your LEED Certification. Most large firms require that you either have your LEED certification or be required to obtain it within 6 months of employment. While the benefit of waiting to sit for the exam is having your future employer pay for it upon successful completion, already passing the exam may give you the extra edge in an interview. It shows a high and sincere level of commitment.
Enter Design Competitions & Get Published No one knows the great ideas you have unless you share them with the world. Research design competitions and enter them! It’s a great way to network and gain personal exposure in the A+D community. And while you may be daunted and overwhelmed by the idea of entering an international design competition keep in mind the actual people who take the time to enter is far and few in between. Also, make sure you keep an eye out for any local non-profit opportunities as well.
OTHER RESOURCES
Link to the official IIDA Career Bootcamp Website
Michelle & everyone at IIDA does a great job keeping recent grads and students up to date with tips, tricks and resources of there own on the I <3 I.D. Blog. Check it out!
Please note that none of the advice or suggestions here do not represent the ideas and/or beliefs of Gensler, IIDA, AIGA, USGBC or any other professional organization that Amberlee Isabella is associated with.
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