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How to... find a job in Web Design

Published

We get emails almost everyday from people wanting web design jobs. However web design and web development jobs have become more and more sophisticated. If you are keen on landing employment in web design then read the notes below. You might also want to check out our jobs board or our web design jobs page.

Finding a Web Design job

  • Specialise - This is true for a lot of design jobs and indeed industry as a whole. If you are better at the nuts and bolts of programming then HTML, ASP, PHP and Javascript are your bread and butter. Leave dreamweaver and flash skills to those with an eye for design.
     
  • Work on your portfolio - I mean really work on your portfolio. As you'll have no experience, the only way that you are likely to impress an employer is by having a fantastic portfolio. And believe me it needs to be amazing as you will be up against a lot of others.
     
  • Match your potfolio - If you can (and you know the type of work the organisation you are going to does) then try and make your portfolio match what they are looking for - there's no point in going to a packaging web design job with corporate ID work.
     
  • Get up some urls - Simple I know but how is an employer going to know what you can do if you don't have some pieces to show them?
     
  • Excel - Once you have decided what you are good at (or like) then try and excel at just one thing. You'll do better being fantastic at one skill than being mediocre at 10.
     
  • Know how of technology - On the flip side, you will need to know what each of the web technologies are and what they are used for. This will also help you in realising the limitations of your skills and when to pass something on. It will save you headaches and ensure the job you do is clean and professional.
     
  • Qualifications - These are not mandatory but they will definitely help:
    • A Degree (BSc / BA) is almost essential and demonstrates an ability to learn.
       
    • NVQs demonstrate that you have worked in the industry. They can be useful and if backed up with good examples of work are definitely a step in the right direction.
       
    • Other courses - webmaster or home study courses are not really helpful in finding a job in that they don't really add anything to your CV. They are a good first step and will arm you with skills and guidance but to be of any use you will need to demonstrate and improve on what you have learnt.
       
    • Having said this, qualifications alone are unlikely to get you a job, so don't get too hung up on it. Some of the best designers I have worked with are motivated, self-taught individuals that have a passion for what they do.
       
  • Register with us - sometimes we get training jobs and junior roles online. In fact we advertise them for free. If you fill out our quick CV we'll use this to match up as well as we can jobs that we think are useful and email them to you. Aren't we nice?
     
  • Try and get some local work - Think of small companies that might need a site, build one for a friend, or a tutor - it doesn't matter who, just get some experience.
     
  • Talk to colleges - Most colleges I have seen have pretty big career sections on their site, they should be experts in placing students in their first job.
     
  • Harrassment - Hassle friends, family, design companies, recruiters anyone you think may have access to a job. Offer design companies to work for free. Each step is a step closer.
     
  • Think you have enough to land a web design job? Then why not give yourself a head start and add your CV and portfolio or browse through our web design jobs.

Finding that first job can be tough! We wish you luck.

The Creativepool Team

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