YOUR PATH TOWARDS A CREATIVE DESIGN COURSE

After completing a creative design course, the next obvious step is job search. Ideally, the conventional paths to hunt for jobs like job sites, professional networking sites, referrals etc. would be sufficient to enable you to land your first job. However, in the current job market these tools are not enough. It is important to be armed with information like current market trends, employer expectations and industry relevant skills. This enables one to make calculated decisions when embarking on a job hunt and stay ahead of competition. With the ever changing market place and the need for skilled professionals is opening doors to not just conventional job choices in the field of design but also to alternative choices in the same industry. It is left to you, the new creative designer, to evaluate these offerings to ensure that your prospective employment can adequately support your daily needs while fulfilling their career goals.

Some steps that can be undertaken while searching for a job are listed below:

Research, Research and Research: Yes, research is not just confined to your assignments while pursuing a course, it is important whilst hunting for a job or even at work. Research helps to understand available jobs in the field of interest and to develop the requisite skill sets for the same.

Portfolio: It is imperative to have a portfolio especially in the creative field. A visual representation of previous work helps the prospective employer understand the candidate’s interests and capabilities.

Networking: Being a part of seminars or conferences helps to one talk to industry experts and build contacts with industry peers. This could be a gateway to either a new job or could help understand the job responsibilities in the industry and how professionals go about their work.

Skills: Just being dependent on what is being taught in the classroom is not enough, one must constantly practice. As they say, “practice makes perfect!”

Soft skills: Apart from technical knowledge, it is important to harness one’s soft skills. Communication skills verbal and in written, says a lot about you as a person. Having good soft skills will help is a necessity for success in the long run.

Alternative opportunities: Every design field has alternative jobs; it may not get highlighted, as the conventional job roles get focus more. These niches in the market can enable one to convert a hobby into a successful career.

Read: Read up about the companies you are interested in, their business, stakeholders, products, profit and loss etc. This will help gain knowledge about the company before you go for an interview with them.

Keep tabs: Keep abreast of what is happening around you and how it is affecting your area of interest. Being aware will keep you ahead of your competition. Knowledge about what is happening around you shows your prospective employer that you are not limited in your outlook and have an understanding about what is happening around you.

Cold Calling: Not all companies list opportunities on jobs sites. Make a list of companies you are interested in and then call them up to learn of any available opportunities.

Internship: Before jumping the bandwagon, gaining some experience through internship whilst studying will help you acquire knowledge and the workings of a brand/label/corporate set-up. It will all be in real time and practical knowledge about the workings of an organization will help in the long run.

Do not limit to one city: While being close to our near and dear ones is important, it may not be feasible to find a job in your hometown. Opportunities in other cities will help you find the ideal job and get out of your comfort zone. This will not only make you confident but will make you bold.

Digital guru: Yes, the millennials are tech savvy, however being only savvy does not help. Learn about analytics, keywords, SEO and SEM.

Stay Updated, Upgraded and Relevant: Garnering knowledge should not stop after graduation. New techniques and skills should be added. Staying updated helps to stay relevant in the ever changing job market.

In an ever changing job scenario it is relevant to add to your skill sets and be ready to adapt. It is important to be abreast of what is going around and to keep the curiosity alive. Staying ahead of the curve always involves you to be on the lookout for what is trending and what is in demand. Learning never stops, no matter how old you become as there are new discoveries, breakthroughs. Being informed will only add to your repertoire and can help you go a long way.