Frustrated with job seeking.

8 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 5,2024 at 10:04PM UTC

   There are 5 graphic designer positions in the Jobs section here. See if there are any graphic designer user groups you can join to help you network with others with your skill set. I know there are tons of marketing opportunities out there, but I'm not sure what skills are required. Look also at your local university/college as they all have marketing departments. Sometimes the black and white of what you seek could be embedded in gray within other types of jobs. I know universities have marketing departments as do many big companies. Hospitals do too as I knew someone that was one. Look on LinkedIn at people who work for companies of interest, then drill down to see those who have some of your skills and connect with them. Staffing firms - some hire them but look at technical staffing firms if you have any GUI type experience. Major healthcare orgs need them too. I was a technical recruiter and work within a university helping students get jobs. Also, look at technical colleges too. I know it's out there for you but you have to put your detective hat on and go look for others like you. Where do they work? Then target those companies.

2. AnonymousDecember 7,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

   When you’ve asked for advice, does that include portfolio review? If you provide links to websites/e-portfolios make sure they work properly and the examples you provide are appealing to a broad swath of employers.

   I once had a client who couldn’t get a job as a website designer. There was a bad link on his site so when prospective employers looked, they got an error. Obviously he didn’t get calls.

   Do a quality check on all your sample work. Ask a friend to do so as well. Two interviews for 2000 applications is a very low ratio particularly if you are networking.

   Just double check everything. And if you don’t have a website or e-portfolio to demonstrate your work, perhaps you should.

   Five years of experience is not entry level. It’s closer to mid-level and should be valued. Make sure you are applying at the right level, if you are applying to jobs dubbed entry level, they may think you are over qualified.

   Good luck!

3. AnonymousDecember 8,2024 at 2:39PM UTC

   I was going to say exactly the same thing. A link to a portfolio or sample work can work wonders; if it doesn't, the portfolio's content should be reviewed by independent eyes.

4. AnonymousDecember 9,2024 at 6:31PM UTC

   I run and manage my website and do monthly security checks. I have a portfolio that I have shared on most of those 2k applications and still have not had any luck.

5. AnonymousDecember 10,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

   Definitey have some one review that portfolio. I hate to say it but if you are linking to it and 2000 employers have bypassed it, then they don’t like what they see. Get a peer review by someone new who is not a friend or family member.

6. AnonymousDecember 8,2024 at 2:49PM UTC

   Have you considered starting your own business and marketing yourself as available to work on contracts? Not sure if you're full-time employed and seeking or unemployed but that is an opportunity. In some areas there are real shortages of local graphic designers and sometimes people really want to convey what they need in person, especially for something as costly as good design. In my industry I don't personally know of any local businesses that have a graphic designer in house but they all have a preferred contractor.

7. AnonymousDecember 9,2024 at 6:30PM UTC

   I have looked into this, but have not found the right place to offer my services. I've tried upwork and fiverr, and neither has worked out.

8. AnonymousDecember 9,2024 at 4:34PM UTC

   Firstly, 5 years of experience is not entry level. It is experienced. Do apply to those roles where they want someone who has worked before. Also if you are not on many of the sites where graphic designers post their work then you are not doing your portfolio justice. Here is a list of the best places:

   Behance

   Dribbble

   Portfolio

   Coroflot

   Portfoliobox

   FREE TRIAL

   Fabrik

   Carbonmade

   Cargo

   BUILD YOUR OWN

   WordPress

   Squarespace

   Pare down your work to your top 10 pieces and explain in each piece what you have done and what tools you used to do the work. If there was an iterative process list that too. Solicit feedback from those sites because what you think is good may not be and IMHO you either have the pulse of what people want to see or you do not. Especially if there is a set style guide that employers use. Mirror that if you can when applying by showing them one thing that you could do that suits their type of look. Keep trying but make an effort to showcase vs. just applying. Good luck.