I Lost My Job as a Designer and Changed Careers. I Landed a Job Fast… and Love It!

Dear Stephen,

 By education and experience I am a professional interior designer, in the commercial space. I live and work in a major city, and I was with one of the largest interior design firms in the US for ten years, with a six figure salary. My projects were law firms and banks and large media companies. I loved my job and my colleagues and never thought I would leave and then the pandemic came along. Almost overnight I lost my job, along with so many of my friends.  

 I have a story I wanted to share with your readers, many of whom are interior designers and architects who, like me, have lost their jobs and are devasted. I never expected to be looking for a new job and ultimately reinventing myself.  At first I was very angry that my job could not be saved, but the projects I was working on were put on hold or just stopped by the client. I think my firm over-hired when business was booming and they were caught off guard. None of this made me feel any better - I just needed to find a job. I explored “per project” jobs in commercial interiors, while I collected unemployment. In other words a “temp” or a consultant but I quickly realized the route was not for me. I needed benefits. I wanted a real job. So I explored residential design firms. They are busy! With everyone staying indoors people to want to upgrade their homes, or they are buying new ones and need professional interior design help. I am in a big city with wealthy suburbs and everyone is buying, building or redecorating. A dozen interviews and 3 offers at residential firms but I just could not pull the trigger. I realized what I like about our industry are great product design and fabrics, finishes and materials and all the products I have specified over the years – and all the sales reps I know. I have seen the gratuitous letters sales reps post on LinkedIn “we have worked together over the years and if you need a lead or reference, blah blah blah….”, and I thought wait a minute, I do not need a reference from a sales rep what I need is a job! And why not sell the products that I love. In fact I suddenly realized I would be a better sales rep then most of the reps that called on me. I know that selling is more than just smiling and being friendly – you have to ask for the order – but I believe I have the inner strength to do that. I noticed most of the furniture manufacturers, floorcovering companies and textile mills are hiring. I gathered together the on-line postings, the “word of mouth” referrals and the “I will help you” LinkedIns and started calling those 25 or so people. I bluntly explained that what I needed more than a general reference or “endorsement” was an introduction to their boss, or to a regional director or sales manager where I could interview with them about a transition into sales. Even if there wasn’t an opening, I was asking for a meeting or interview because I felt like I was good enough that someone might make a opening for me, even if one did not exist (hey, you need self-confidence, right?). I quickly discovered there is no shortage of openings in outside sales positions or management that is willing to interview a designer that wants to go into outside sales. Especially since I had specified so much of everyone’s products while working at this very prestigious design firm. Guess what I had roughly 15 different interviews, 3 job offers, 5 rejections and I accepted an outside sales position covering a territory near my home. I love my new career and my new job. Design firms and dealers are not seeing me in person yet, but they love to come to our showroom and hang out and I get to give them a presentation about product while they are there. My friends who still have jobs at the design firm where I worked are supportive of my change in career. They are now my customers! I am already seeing that the knowledge I have as a designer can easily be translated in to sales. I learned our CRM program and the procedural stuff fast and my experience giving many, many presentations - I have seen the good ones and the bad ones – has come in handy. And our dealer sales people appreciate the tips I give them on how to better call on designers.  So career-wise and income-wise there is light at the end of the tunnel. If I had decided to stay in design, I may still be looking and I know that going into sales is not for most designers but for me it worked. If someone has not thought of this I just wanted to share my story.

Signed,

Cold Call, Warm Heart! 

Dear CCWH,

 Wow and they tell me I write long letters! I did not edit you letter down because I think your story gives interiors folks an option they may not have thought of, and I like that you tell your story in your own voice. At The Viscusi Group we offer pro-bono career coaching and resume review for any interior designer or architect who has lost their job. And we have plenty who contact us. I always explain to designers that selling the products they once specified is a great option. Residential and contract, indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring, lighting, textiles – the interiors industry is immense and there is a broad spectrum of products. And who can sell and communicate better to designers then the designers themselves. It seemed that you learned what I also try to explain to people all the time - the best sale jobs are not listed on company’s websites or on LinkedIn. It’s you getting in front of the hiring manager and selling yourself. And what you did is perfect . Call in favors from the sale rep’s whose products you have specified. Don’t ask if they know of and opening because most times they will tell you NO. Instead, explain that as favor you would like a meeting with their boss to learn about selling and how their company hires and during that meeting turn it in to an interview for yourself. 

 A couple of notes from me when I designer wants to go in to sales, it helps when a designer has 5 years design experience or more as a designer, and helps even more if you worked from a precious firm that starts with a G, or an H, or an S or a - well you get the idea. Yes, manufactures like that prestige. If you specified a lot of product from one brand you may as well start there. Some other tips are the bigger the company the more training they can provide and I think that training is important. Note that sales organization are back to work, in the showroom at the very least so if you wish to remain cloistered at home a sales position is not for you!  It’s like you said, you may not be making sales calls in the traditional way but the customers are coming to you in the showroom and you cannot be afraid to be there. All the best on your new career path and continue to share along the way!

 Stephen