Mining for Your Perfect Job
IF WP Makes an Offer: Outside of the generalizations of firms and designers – what we should all look for when seeking a place to work could be the harmony of the specific workplace’s philosophies and client bases with our own goals. A good checklist of whether to apply and/or accept a position follows:
It’s all in the company you keep…
Some firms let their clients define them, some firms define their clients. A good thing to look at is the companies’ client list – since those are the companies’ customers, and the people in the firm that deal directly with those clients tend to cater to those people, their ways of doing things and their philosophies – meaning, you’ll have to do so as well. On the company website – does their portfolio have a good range of corporate clients to retail clients?
To letterhead or not to letterhead?
Again, look at the company website portfolio. Does it have the balance of work you want to do? If you want to do more advertising, and it’s all logos, it may not be the place for you. However, working at a place that offers you the position regardless of your clashing portfolios could offer you more range. Going outside of your comfort zone is not a bad thing, but you have to be ready not to be a design superstar right off the bat. You have to conquer the learning curve, and depending on your commitment level, and the hours you’re seeking, the payoff could be tremendous.
I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation…
Because honestly, most established companies have them. Ask around about the company that might be courting you. But not just to your friends. You can even contact someone from the board of the dsvc and ask them if they know anyone that used to work at the place you’re looking at. Find an old employee AND a current employee (you can ask the person hiring you for names and emails) about what they liked and disliked about the company, and this can help you assess whether or not it’s the right fit. I was always very honest when hiring people at the old place. But some people that are tasked with hiring designers aren’t always forthright. Some are just trying to fill chairs and not spots on the team.
How much is that designer in the window?
Look at the website under “team” or “our company.” Where is the lead creative person listed? Is it a company of account executives or a company of designers? What is the ratio between the people in the company that deal with the clients and the designers that do the work for the clients? Ask the current employee/past employee (from above) how much client interaction you might have. Are you shielded from the client (not good) or do you get to interact with them (all good in the long run)?
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January 1st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
This is a great article. It is enlightening, inspirational, and helpful. I can genuinely relate to this article because I am a newly graduate designer. Knowing what kind of designer you are and what workplace suits you, helps you find your fit. I also believe you need to find that balance between work and life so that you don’t miss out on the important things. I think I am a mix between a D Type A-N-B-F. I also agree that you need to love what you do and the money will follow.