How to find content writing jobs in 2021

10 ways to find content writing jobs in 2021

Here are ten ways to find content writing jobs in 2021:

1. Start cold pitching
2. Pitch to job board ad
3. Ask around
4. Use your website
5. Guest post for free
6. Join online communities
7. Try warm pitching
8. LinkedIn jobs
9. SEO agencies
10. Apprenticeships with a more experienced content writer

Generally, 2020 has been a tough year not only for medical workers but for all other industries. The Coronavirus pandemic affected almost every job industry in the world, including freelancing. As many companies were forced to shut down, others laid off their workers, while others had to cut out some practices, including outsourcing certain services such as freelancing – eventually harming the field.

However, towards the end of 2020, things are slowly turning back into normalcy with the hopes of a successful vaccine seen on the horizon. Even though the freelancing world has been slightly affected by the pandemic, it seems to be coming back to a full boom in 2021. When this happens, you need to be ready to take advantage of this $2 trillion industry.

If you’re just getting started in the field or you wish to begin your career as a freelance content writer, you may find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed. There are many things to consider if you want to become successful in this line of work. Apart from sharpening your skills, there are also other considerations, such as building your writing portfolio.

This post will take you through all you need to know to get you started on the right path to a successful career in freelance content writing.

The ins and outs of freelance writing

First things first – before we delve further into where and how to get content writing jobs in 2021, let us first dig into the ins and outs of freelancing writing.

So, who exactly is a freelance content writer, and what do they do?

Well, a freelance writer is exactly as the name sounds – a person who gets hired on a project or freelance basis to write different materials. There is a wide variety of freelancing opportunities that one can major in, depending on one’s interests. You can get employed by a brand, an individual, an agency, or an editorial outlet: and what’s more, is that there is no limit as to how many clients you can handle at a go.

Provided you do not sacrifice the quality of work and able to beat deadlines, then it is okay for you to work for different clients and take up more projects at once. While the list of possible freelance writing jobs seems endless, there are categories that you can choose to master for a start. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

Major types of content writing jobs

Here are the five major types of content writing jobs you can take up as a freelancing gig:

1. Article/ feature writing

This is perhaps the most popular type of content writing that people think of whenever freelancing comes to mind. Whenever you work on an article, it can either be used in print or online platforms, and sometimes, your work gets featured on both mediums. You are able to write stories, informative, and opinion-based articles or features as you carve out a niche for yourself to focus mostly on.

However, if you’re considering taking this route, do not limit yourself to only one particular niche. Have more, especially if you’re intending on making this a source of earning a living. And yes, there are many established freelance content writers that have made a decent living through article writing, but you can never really rely on one single source. Once you get your first gig, you should work towards improving your skills that will help you land better-paying jobs.

Apart from writing on websites, other places you can land on well-paying article writing gigs include magazines or newspapers. This is one of the most traditional types of freelance writing. People would contribute article pieces or features on magazines and newspapers and still get paid for that, even though they are not full-time employees.

However, many people wonder whether this can be a good career path to consider, especially in the digital era. It is no brainer that digital media is somewhat trying to replace print media, but we can assure you that print media is not dying. It might not be as widespread as it previously was, but there is definitely a place for freelance writers in print publications for years to come.

As we indicated earlier, it would be an excellent call to diversify your income stream and not relying on print medium only.

There are currently over 500 million blogs on the internet. This clearly shows you that you may have better chances of being an article or feature writer online than print media. This is why you should strive to get a couple of websites you write for, on top of the guest posting you do at newspapers and magazines.

2. Copy/ content writing

In today’s business world, content is king. So what does this mean for freelancers? As the demand continues to rise, content writers get more opportunities to display their skills. As a copywriter, you’ll be tasked to write for businesses and ensure that you help them establish and promote their brand, as well as creating engaging content.

Some of the materials you can work on as content or copywriter include:

• Advertising copy
• Website content
• Blog posts
• Publications such as ebooks
• Press releases
• White papers

3. Blogging

Blogging is a type of content writing, as you have a key agenda for creating such content. In most cases, it is usually meant to either inform, compel, or convince the readers into agreeing to a particular opinion.

Apart from writing other people’s blogs, you can also start your own. There are various things that you ought to consider when creating your blog, such as the niche you wish to write on and the target audience. Furthermore, you can choose to write your personal blog and on the topics that interest you. There are many ways to monetize a blog, and if you use it as a backup plan while still scouting for other freelance gigs, you could be on your way to financial freedom.

4. Social media content creation

Social media is a force not to be ignored, especially for the modern-day businesses that need to keep maintaining their public image and engage with both customers and prospects. As this trend is not likely to go extinct any time soon, you can capitalize on it as a freelance content writer.

Many companies often don’t have the time to go through all their content on social media posts; hence they prefer to outsource all that work from freelancers. You can take advantage of this, and if you wish to give your career a boost, you can learn how to become a social media manager. Your responsibilities will thereafter shift from only writing social media content but also involved in the planning, scheduling, and posting of such content.

5. Editing

While we are well aware that editing may not be directly acknowledged as a content writing job, it is in one way or another related. For instance, you cannot become an editor without extensive knowledge of content writing rules and guidelines. If you are a little more experienced in the field, you can easily apply for jobs to become a freelance editor for different employers and brands.

Freelance proofreaders and editors work on their clients’ different needs, from ensuring the content is ready to publish, free of any grammatical errors, and in accordance with the correct writing style guides.

There are many other different types of opportunities that a freelance content writer can take advantage of. Others such as UX writing are a little more advanced, but still, you have to have mastered the basic rules of content writing. It would be prudent to identify your key interests and see whether your skills can be used in more than one field.

You probably now understand the different opportunities you can go for when searching for writing jobs in 2021. But do you have what it takes to become successful in that field? This next section guides you on what exactly you need to kickstart your career as a freelance content writer:

What do you need to become a freelance content writer?

Unlike most other freelance jobs, the entry to content writing is pretty much straightforward with very few requirements. For starters, you don’t need to have undergone any special training or having a particular educational background. You also don’t need any special equipment as a good laptop is all you need and a stable internet connection.

However, that being said, there are a couple of factors that you need to consider before delving into the field of content writing. Here are some skills that you need for you to know whether you are a good fit for the industry:

• Professional – it doesn’t matter what field you are in, but you have to maintain high standards of professionalism when dealing with clients. Your professionality should also show in the work you do.
  
• Tech-savvy – by being tech-savvy, we don’t mean that you necessarily must be a tech-wiz to become a content writer. Instead, you should have mastered the basics, which include knowing your way around a computer and delivering the work in the formats requested by the clients. You also need to understand how to operate the various tools used by content writers, such as grammar and plagiarism checkers.
  
• Adaptable and flexible – as a freelancer, you are likely to meet and interact with different types of clients. They will all come to you with their own types of preferred writing methods, rules, etc. You need to be adaptable enough to fit every client’s requirements. 
  
• Tenacious – in freelancing, you are likely to face a lot of rejection and dealing with demanding clients. This shouldn’t put you down but should act as a lesson for future dealings. Successful freelancers do not let these rejections stop them.
  

Getting your house in order: Preparing yourself to land better content writing gigs in 2021

There are many successful freelance content writers in the world, some having made millions from the trade. But this doesn’t just happen overnight. You need to ‘arm’ yourself with all the necessary skills and preparation before stepping out into the freelancing world.

If you are looking for content writing gigs in 2021, you need to plan yourself by ensuring the following factors are in order:

1. Have a great writing portfolio

As a freelance writer, you’ll always interact with many questions like “Do you have writing samples?” “Can I see some of your writing work?” “What are some high-quality articles you’ve written?” and many more when searching for new clients.

Although many writers often overlook this, having a stand-out portfolio is vital for being a freelancer. When asked all these questions, your answer should be a simple “Here’s my portfolio.” Don’t simply tell them how amazing a writer you are – show them. In your portfolio, you can provide links to already published work, previous samples, which you can categorize for easier scanning.

2. Supercharge your writing skills

Content writing, just like any other career, is progressive, and the more you do it, the more you improve your skillset. But this won’t just come to you if you are not proactive and eager to learn new techniques. For instance, it is very easy to continue earning meager amounts of money from content mills that pay peanuts if you do not have the right skills to advance.

Well-paying companies and individuals will not just hand the job over to anyone. Before you are considered for such a position, you need to understand more about content writing than just the basics. For instance, they are more likely to offer well-paying jobs to someone who:

• Understands the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and can write SEO-friendly content throughout their work.
• Knows the importance of submitting error-free work and takes their time to proofread.
• Can connect with the readers on an emotional level.
• Has top-notch written communication skills, and their articles flow in the right direction.
• Can craft eye-catching headlines and able to back their content with facts.
• Writes fast enough to meet the set deadlines.

3. Ask for testimonials

If there’s one thing that 2020 has taught people is that the freelancing world is lucrative. But what does this mean to those that have been in the industry but wish to look for more content writing jobs? Well, you have to take a step further and show why you are better than the many other candidates.

One of the easiest ways is to ask for testimonials from previous employers. A good word from them goes a long way of instilling trust in potential employers. Do not shy away from asking for a short testimonial from previous employers, which you can add to your website or portfolio.

4. Learn how to pitch

Many writers often fail to get hired due to their lack of proper pitching techniques. So maybe you have seen a job posting, or you would like to bring a prospect’s attention to your services, but they don’t know anything about you. How are you going to convince them to give you a chance?

You can be sure that many well-paying clients and companies get hundreds of pitches every other month, but you need to make yours stand out. So how do you write good pitches? Well, the structure varies from one individual and brand to another, but here are some mistakes you must avoid:

• Do not write long emails. The clients and editors are busy people, respect their time, and go straight to the point.
• Do not copy-paste the pitch you sent to other clients to your new target. Every client has unique needs and audiences. You should customize your pitches to fit their requirements.
• Do not ignore their guidelines. If you pitch to a website that already has clearly stated its application submission guidelines, ensure that you follow them to the latter. Failure to do so is a sure-fire way to have your application instantly rejected.

Learn the legal side of content writing freelancing

One of the scariest unknowns for many freelancers is the legal view of things. The legalities do not just stop at how you interact with the clients – do you need a contract? And will you have to indicate how to share and get paid for your invoices? You should also know whether you’ll need licensing and what type of taxes you will have to pay.

Although understanding the legalities of the matter might sound like a daunting task for a start, it will be so much worth it at the end of it all. For instance, if you wish to become one of the freelancers in Dubai, you will first have to acquire a freelance visa and permit, and you can only get one depending on the field you wish to work in.

10 surefire ways to find freelance jobs in 2021

The tips above will prepare you for the battlefield, but the bigger challenge awaits you – looking for these jobs. Fortunately, we have saved you all that trouble and compiled a list of the ten most effective ways you can land yourself a freelancing gig in 2021.

1. Start cold pitching

Did you know cold pitching is one of the best methods employed by seasoned writers to get recurring clients? Although it might sound a little scary at first, but trust me, this is the surest way you can use it to land better clients. More so, the competition in doing this is less stiff compared to applying for a job posted on career boards.

But what is cold pitching anyway?

Well, this is the act of basically reaching out to a company that you have had no prior interaction with and send them an email or message, explaining to them who you are and how you could be of assistance to them.

Here’s the correct strategy to follow:

• Pick a niche that you are most comfortable writing about;
• Search for companies in that niche, whether through a specific Google search, social media, or by word of mouth referral;
• Reach out to the company, blogger, or website owner, including important details such as who you are, how you came to know about the company (or website), what your skills are, and how you think you could be of help to them;
• If the company lacks a blog section and you strongly feel that they need one, you could approach them from that angle, bringing in the aspects of ranking, Search Engine Optimization, etc., in a bid to convince them.

The good thing about cold pitching is that your application has a better chance of being seen other than applying for a job at an online posting, where you may have to compete against 200 others for the same post.

2. Pitch to a job board ad

If you have been in the content writing business long enough, you will come to realize that getting jobs at job boards isn’t the easiest thing to do, more so if they are highly competitive tasks. Content writing is one of the most highly sought after skills, and some people are always on standby to apply for such jobs as soon as they are posted.

Some job boards such as Upwork may not be the best for beginners as the competition is too harsh, and most clients will most likely hire someone that has shown more experience within the website.

However, this shouldn’t stop you from realizing your dream. There are many other websites that you can take advantage of, and whose chances of securing a job are much higher. Take Bawabba; for example, you can land a well-paying client even without having been registered on the platform for long.

3. Ask around

Although this may not sound like a ‘technical’ answer, asking around is one of the best ways of getting to know about job openings. You can inquire from your friends, family, and colleagues if they know someone who may need content writing services.

As you start your career, it would be crucial to let them know what you’ll be doing, for them to be on the lookout for any opportunities that they think would be helpful to you. You never really know until you ask around, maybe you will get your first client from your relatives and friends!

4. Use your website

This is probably not the first option for a complete newbie, but if you have some experience rolled down your sleeve, get yourself a professional website. You can always start using some of the freely available website builders before you think about getting a more powerful dedicated hosting and domain.

You can advertise your services, including attaching your portfolio. Furthermore, you can also strive to make your website grow even bigger, and you can start a blog of your own, and even start monetizing it. By doing that, you will have created two income streams while only searching for one.

5. Guest post – for free!

Guest posting means you publish your own unique article on a different website or blog that you have no control over. So how will this help you to grow your career?

It’s simple. Whenever you write for another website, more so one that commands good authority, more readers are exposed to your content. You never know who may be interested in getting such quality content on their websites.

In most cases, websites that allow for guest posting for free allow the writer to post links that go back to their personal websites or have a short bio section where you will briefly write about who you are, what you do, and a link to your social profile or contacts. This way, prospects will come looking for you.

So how do you go about guest posting for free? Well, the easiest and most convenient way would be to conduct a quick Google search with the niche + ‘Write for us’ phrase.

Here’s an example of the search engine results for the niche ‘parent blog’ + ‘write for us.’

6. Join online communities

A good writer is always looking out for the latest news and trends in their field. Which better place to learn of these other than from online forums such as Facebook groups? Provided you know which groups you are joining and what value they would offer you, you should join as many as possible.

Many clients looking for great content writers will be posting jobs regularly. More so, you can also utilize the freedom you have by advertising your skills on such platforms in a way that attracts the attention of potential employers.

7. Try warm pitching

Hold up, our first point was geared towards cold pitching, and now we are telling you to try warm pitching? Yes. Warm pitching is another effective tactic that is often used by those that are not in a hurry to land an immediate client. This entails building a rapport with a particular individual, company, or blog that you think might give you a chance to write for them at some point.

For instance, you could be following their social media pages and becoming active, liking, commenting, and sharing their content in a bid to attract their attention. At some point, they will have noticed you and might even try reaching out to you. That is when you shoot your shot, by explaining to them what you do and if you could assist them in developing their brand even further.

8. LinkedIn jobs

Did you know something like this exists? This is just a basic feature of LinkedIn that you can take full advantage of when scouting for your next gig. Just hover to the job board and key in the word ‘writer’ or ‘content writer’ and see what pops up. You can even filter the results by location and how recent the post was made. This is another creative way to land yourself better – and ‘more professional’ clients.

9. SEO agencies

You’ve probably never thought about this, right? Well, SEO agencies are some of the best sources of jobs for freelance content writers. How’s that so? An SEO agency strives to help its clients have their products, services, or websites rank on search engines such as Google. One of the ranking factors is based on the content.

If you are in the market searching for a well-paying job, then going the agency way would be far beneficial to you. Try reaching out to different SEO agencies and pitch to them, stating your experience and how you would be helpful to them.

If you have more experience or you prefer working in a specific niche, you can conduct a search for these agencies and go for those that have a closer working relationship with the industries you’re most comfortable working with.

10. Apprentice with a more experienced writer

As you get started in content writing, you may have heard about someone else that has been in the industry far longer than you and performs pretty well with it. You can reach out to these people and talk them into an apprenticeship program with you. Even if you don’t know them, you can simply inquire around, and you will end up having a list of people that you can reach out to.

These seasoned content writers often have a lot on their plate but would be willing to train you at times on how to handle certain aspects of the trade. Furthermore, you can also get hands-on experience by helping them at times by editing, proofreading, or even working on some of their projects.

At the end of your training program, these experienced writers might advise you on where to get better-paying jobs, and they can even offer referrals for you to their previous clients or colleagues.

Takeaway

Becoming a freelance content writer in 2021 isn’t as tough as it seems, but it isn’t going to be a walk in the park either way. You should arm yourself with all the necessary skills and tips on how to land the best clients as you strive to make the best out of your career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are freelance content writing jobs legit?
A: Yes, most freelance content writing jobs are legit. However, you should be careful to note where you see the advert and the things that are required of you. You should be able to identify certain red flags before you reach out to an ‘employer.’

Q: What do you need to become a freelance content writer?
A: Starting a freelance content writing career is one of the least demanding career paths to take. All you need is the necessary skills (or knowledge) and an internet-enabled computer.

Q: Must you have a degree to become a content writer?
A: No. A degree is not a necessity when applying to become a content writer. Clients will hire you because you know how to write – you can articulate yourself well and have a good command of English, not necessarily because you have a degree in a particular field.

from Bawabba Blog https://blog.bawabba.com/freelance-content-writer/how-to-find-content-writing-jobs-in-2021/

The ultimate guide to writing a graphic designer’s resume

At the risk of sounding (super) obvious, graphic design is a visual medium. The primary task of a graphic designer is to combine a blend of technology, art, and information to develop an eye-catching image with a compelling message. It should convey the concepts, reflect ideas, and inspire the audience to take action.

We all know that to increase our chances of employment at any facility, you need to send out an impressive resume. However, it is not as straightforward as it appears in the case of graphic designers. Designers (or most of those who work in the creative industry) have an extra challenge when crafting a graphic designer’s resume. Apart from having compelling content, it must also look great.

But why is that the case? You may ask. Well, as a designer, one of the first requirements in order to make it in this industry is to display creativity. This is why you should impress your potential employers by showing them how creative you can be right from the moment they get to know (or read) about you.

The dawn of technological advancements has greatly changed the way graphic designers approach the development of resumes. However, the one thing that stands out the most from them is that you need a standout portfolio and curriculum vitae. As a designer, you will need both a portfolio and a resume when applying for a job. The resume’s purpose is to talk more about you (who you are), while the portfolio talks more about your work (the best projects you have handled before).

In the words of Eric DiChiara, senior vice president of The Creative Group in Boston, “Most designers have a resume-like section in their digital portfolios, but they still need a strong standalone resume that they can quickly email to employers.”

While a designer’s portfolios can speak for themselves, you still need a great resume to add (or give more) context to your work while providing additional information regarding your skills and experiences – basically because such skills don’t just come out of nowhere.

According to Jérémy Chevallier, the Director of Marketing at Crash.co, “When we hire a graphic designer, we look at four key things: quality of work, consistency of work, tool competencies, and — if they’ve freelanced — positive testimonials.” Even though there has been a growing trend of freelance graphic designers, resumes will still be necessary, and just having a solid portfolio won’t be enough to land you a nice gig.

Whether you’re writing your resume from scratch or you wish to revise yours, there are still basic rules that you ought to follow – some are new while some have been there for a while. Considering such tips will enable your document to rise to the top.

In this post, you’ll learn top tips on how to write a graphic designer’s resume and how to add your job experience and education to your resume.

10 tips for writing a good graphic designer resume

1. Skip the objective

Objectives have become passé, and hiring managers tend to gloss over them. Rather than having an objective part, consider going for a professional summary. This just entails describing who you are and what you do best in only a sentence or two. The job summary should also highlight your most recent roles and qualifications. Generally, the professional summary should briefly answer the question, “why should we hire you?”

2. Be brief

Let me fill you in on a little secret – always be brief in all your submissions. At the most, one page of content is usually enough not unless you have a significant amount of relevant experience and qualifications. If you notice your content getting to the second page, try to look for words to cut out or phrases to shorten. More information about yourself can be added when submitting your cover letter.

3. Cut the clichés and jargon.

When writing a resume, it is okay to include your accomplishments in the words that other creatives might understand. However, you should avoid using buzzwords and jargon that non-designers might well understand.

Remember that your application might first go through the HR (human resource) department, meaning someone that might not understand all that jargon you used, hence decreasing your chances of getting accepted.

4. Resist the temptation to get too creative

I know, I know. The whole point of applying for a designer’s job is to showcase how creative you can be. However, let your work speak for you and not your resume. Well, of course, there should be a little sense of creativity in your work, but don’t be tempted to overdo it.

If you apply for jobs through online listings, you should be content with the structures laid out for an applicant tracking system (ATS). These systems tend to have problems with reading unusual files with unusual elements such as images, fonts, and text boxes.

According to Terry B McDougall, “A graphic designer’s resume needs to make it through the applicant tracking systems first, and those programs use keyword matching, not aesthetics, to determine who makes it through to the next step in a recruiting process.” An ATS is built to strip out many design elements in the application and ends up delivering only a plain text version to the hiring manager. This is why it is crucial to stick to a simple template whenever you apply online.

But this rule shouldn’t stop you from showcasing your creativity in your resume. You can also go for a design-inspired resume if you have a way to bypass the ATS or if you are sending your application via email. However, be keen not to go for a design that completely distracts the recruiters from the main content in your resume. Furthermore, it should be able to reflect the style of work that you do.

5. Include links to previous work

Another thing to consider when making an online application is to include a link or links to some of your previous (best) projects. You can include the link to redirect to individual projects, your website, or your portfolio.

You’ll also want to ensure that these links are not just added to your resume but that they are also well visible. You can decide to create a designated section on your resume to include the links to your works, as you provide brief reports on them. Besides that, you can also add the links within the experience section of your document. For instance, if you create the logo used by a company, you could add a section like:

Collaborated with Bawabba on the design of the new company logo from research to conceptualization, through the draft, production, feedback, and finalization. (link)

6. Tailor your resume for different opportunities

Your resume might not change dramatically from one application to another, even when sending out job applications to different organizations. However, you should always plan to tailor your resume for every posting you respond to. Although this sounds cumbersome, it is easier than it actually sounds.

Here is a quick tip to help you around it:

If a particular proficiency or skill is listed in the job description, then you have to ensure that it appears more conspicuously on the resume (as long as you have the stated expertise and experience). Doing this will help you to cut out whatever won’t be relevant at that stage for that particular role. This is one of the tips that you can use to make your resume just one page long.

The desired goals and aesthetics vary from one company to another. You’ll have to be thoughtful about the external links (to your portfolio) that you indicate on the document. From the job description, you’ll be able to identify the company’s general taste, and you’ll also know the kind of work they are after. This will enable you to pick out the right samples of your previously done work that could help increase your chances of getting picked.

According to McDougall, “Seek to understand the goals of the company you’re interviewing with. Some companies want to use creativity to shock or gain attention. If you’re working as a graphic designer for a snowboard company, you will likely have much more leeway in your design than if you’re working for a more conventional company like a hardware store or hospital.”

Going in this direction will enable you to show your prospective employers that your abilities and aesthetics are a strong match for their needs, besides being a talented designer.

7. Use the right keywords.

In the era of applicant tracking systems, you must know the right keywords to use when making an online application. APS technologies are programmed to scan the resumes for specific keywords to determine which applicants may be more fit for the role.

Be careful, though, as you shouldn’t stuff your resume with all the graphic design keywords under the sun. Before making an application, you should first research the specific role and find out the most relevant keywords to be used.

Not sure where to start? Well, we know that job posting may vary, but here’s a list of popular keywords to use when writing your graphic designer resume:

• Adobe
• Advertising
• After Effects
• Artist
• Branding
• Brand Consistency
• Campaigns
• Color
• Composition
• Concepts
• Creative
• CSS
• Deadlines
• Design
• Detail
• Digital
• Dreamweaver
• Graphic
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• InVision
• Layout
• Marketing
• Media
• Photoshop
• Portfolio
• Production
• Product Design
• Projects
• Sketch
• Strategy
• Typography
• Visual

8. Highlight the relevant technical skills

It is no brainer that as a graphic designer, you already have a working knowledge of programs such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and such. Prospective employers will need to see such skills on your resume. However, you shouldn’t just stop there. After all, there might be tens or hundreds of you applying for the same role, and yes, you guessed that right, you might all have the same expertise in such programs.

If you are skilled in any additional programs that you think might be relevant to that particular role, you should consider adding them. According to Chevallier, you can “Go beyond pure design tools like Adobe and show that you also know marketing tools like Mailchimp or TweetDeck. These are complementary skills that will increase your value as a designer.” McDougall also adds that “If you have ‘crossover’ skills such as video editing, copywriting, or illustration, you should list them in the skills section of your resume, too.”

With that in mind, you should be careful about how you add such skills to your resume. For the sake of scannability, you can organize the skills in categories such as marketing tools, coding languages, design tools, etc.

9. Focus on the numbers

It might be challenging for designers to zero in their work on hard data from thinking conceptually. However, you should note that today’s hiring managers are more interested in the results that your work has shown.

If your work is measurable, the better. You can include figures like sales statistics, fundraising figures, response rates, etc., that your design work has been able to pull during particular campaigns. This shows that you not only work to grab the attention of the target market, but you are also a results-oriented individual.

10. Spotlight your soft skills

Besides focusing more on the technical skills, you may also want to include the soft skills you are well versed with. Hiring managers are getting more attuned to non-technical skills such as teamwork, effective communication, problem-solving, time management, and flexibility.

Apart from just mentioning them, you can briefly explain how you would put such skills into action or how you have used them in previous settings.

These are not the only things to consider when writing a good graphic designer’s resume. There are tons of other things to factor in, such as:

Consider color – getting creative in your resume also means you can add some color to it. However, watch out that it only enhances your content and not getting in the way of it.
Prioritize readability – regardless of the format you have used to design your resume, ensure that the words used are easy to see and read. Readability should be a top priority, and you should always try to simplify the designs used.
Check the file size – this goes hand in hand with the graphic resolutions used on your resume. It should be a high-resolution document, with all images, colors, and texts appearing sharp. This means that they will still remain clear even when the hiring manager decides to print out the document.
Proofread – although this sounds cliche, always proofread your document before sending it out. Just know that a single typo or error could cost you the job, especially for a competitive position.

Before submitting your resume, ensure to go over it severally, both on-screen and on paper. You may also get help from a friend or a professional proofreader to help you out.

The top skills for a graphic designer

Before you even get to the nitty-gritty of a graphic designer’s resume, you need to first know the relevant skills you must get to qualify for any top design position. You also need to note that you might have all the technical skills required, but without displaying your soft skills, you might not get hired in any good setting.

Some of the skills that you need as a graphic designer include:

Technical skills

Proficiency in:

• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• InDesign
• Typography
• Acrobat
• Sketching
• UX / UI Design
• Print Design
• HTML / CSS
• Infographic Design
• Product Packaging Design

Soft skills

• Creativity
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Teamwork
• Research

As a general rule of thumb, do not go way overboard with soft skills. This is because they can be a bit more difficult to back up, more so if you are new to the industry. For instance, anyone can say that they are creative, but it all changes when you need to work on InDesign.

What to include in a graphic designer resume

To come up with a competitive resume, your document needs to be subdivided into sections for readability. The main sections of a graphic designer resume are:

1. Contact Information
2. Work Experience
3. Portfolio
4. Education
5. Skills
   If you want your resume to stand out more, you can go ahead and add a few other optional sections such as:
6. Awards & Certification
7. Projects
8. Languages
9. Interests & Hobbies

This next section will help you to write the categories mentioned above:

1. Getting the contact information right

No matter how much this point has been stressed before, it still remains one of the most important things to consider when writing any type of resume. You may fail to get invited to interviews after sending your applications, mostly because the hiring managers could not reach out to you because of misspelled numbers or letters.

In general, the contact information section should contain details such as:

• Full Name
• Title – In this case, “Graphic Designer.” Make this specific (the role you’re applying for), and don’t try to be too creative (Master of Designs).
• Phone Number
• Email Address – use a professional email address, if any. If you don’t have one, you can create a new one with your full name, e.g., (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)’
• Portfolio Link
• Location – the location is optional and also dependent on whether the job summary requires you to add in one.

2. The job summary or objective

Fun fact – recruiters take an average of six seconds to look at your resume. Well, while this looks a bit overboard, it is practical, as you can’t expect them to go through over 300 other applications. This means that if the hiring manager doesn’t see that you are fit for the job in a single glance, you may not get shortlisted.

Knowing that the biggest question you may have is how to hook the recruiter to your resume and see that you are the best fit for the job within the first few seconds they glance at your document. The simple answer is to have a compelling job summary.

But the big question pops up, which one should you go for? Is it the job summary or career objective? 

Here are examples of the two to help you understand the difference between them:

3. Graphic designer resume job summary sample

Graphic designer with a strong background in marketing design. 5+ years of experience in creating infographics, Facebook ad creatives, banner ads, and more. Passionate about working in a marketing agency, which involves creating graphics for clients in all sorts of fields.

4. Graphic designer resume career objective sample

Motivated graphic design student looking for an entry-level job at Software Company X. Passionate about web & UX / UI design. Experience creating website designs for made-up businesses as a student at University X. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and more.

From the two examples, we can conclude that a resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements, while a resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of your professional goals and aspirations.

With this, it is a clear indication that a career summary can speak more about your qualifications and convince the hiring managers to think that you are the perfect fit for the job. However, a career objective would come in handy if you’re new to the field and do not have much experience.

Making your graphic designer resume stand out

The bit of work experience is an essential part of your graphic designer resume, of course, after your portfolio. If you’ve had any experience before, some of the things that must stand out are:

• Job title
• Dates that you were active
• Company name
• Responsibilities & achievements

Here’s an example:

If you really want to stand out from the rest, you need to pay more attention to how your words are placed. For instance, you should focus more on your achievements rather than responsibilities.

Instead of writing “charged with designing websites for client companies,” you can indicate “designed 30 client websites from start to end.” But what is the difference between the two, you may ask? The first one sounds a little too generic and doesn’t show your abilities as an individual. On the other hand, the second version is more specific and shows that you are result-oriented.

But what if you do not have work experience?

This is the greatest worry from most newbie graphic designers that are just throwing themselves into the market. You’re fresh out of college, or you’ve just learned your new skills from an online course but never had any clients before.

Do not worry if this is your case. You can still create an impressive graphic designer resume even if you’ve never landed any major gigs before. The most important thing is your portfolio and how it looks. Here are some of the ways you can create an outstanding portfolio without much experience:

• You can take your time to create mock-ups. You can design a website, posters, flyers, product packaging, etc.
• Pick up some freelance gigs in places like Bawabba.
• You can ask your friends or family if they know of anyone that might be looking for some cheap design work.
• You can also join online contests on websites such as 99 Designs.

Power words to consider when writing a graphic designer resume

Do not go for generic words when writing your resume, especially on the part of job experience. Your resume needs to STAND OUT; therefore, you should avoid more common words like:

• “Responsible for.”
• “Created”
• “Worked in.”

Everyone uses such words in their resumes, but yours needs to be different from the rest. Instead, go for power words that can help make your responsibilities and achievements stand out. Go for words such as:

• Conceptualized
• Devised
• Determined
• Drafted
• Formulated
• Introduced
• Initiated
• Launched
• Spearheaded

Other sections to include on a graphic designer’s resume

Having done your education and experience background extensively, your resume is ready to be sent out, right? After all, you have covered all the essentials. Well, not really. There are still other sections that you may need to add to your resume to make it stand out. They include:

5. Awards and certifications

Have you won any competitions or received any awards throughout your work and school experience? If yes, and you feel it is relevant to the job, you can add it. If you have none, don’t worry, as there are so many places that you can get certifications that could come in handy in your application. Such sources include:

• User Experience Research & Design Coursera Certificate
• Adobe Certified Expert
• Advanced Graphic Design Class at MadeUpUniversity, and many others.

6. Languages

I know what you’re thinking about, but no, we are not talking about web design languages such as JavaScript, HTML, etc. If you are fluent in any foreign languages, you can also note it down.

7. Hobbies and interests

Writing about your hobbies and interests won’t get you the job per se, but it plays a crucial part in increasing your chances of getting an offer. Most employers wouldn’t want to employ a robot that will only work on design projects back to back. They also need to know who you are as a person. Besides, what better way is there to bond with your employers besides shared interests?

Key takeaways

Congratulations! If you have followed our guide to the latter, then you’re pretty much on the road to landing your next big job. Now, to sum up, here are the most important things that we have discussed in this post:

• Use a job summary to catch the attention of the hiring manager when going through your resume.
• Talk more about your achievements and rather not the responsibilities in your work experience section.
• Get your portfolio right.Some of the things that the employers will consider before you’re employed are”
• Whether or not you have a good balance between your hard (technical) skills and soft skills
• Your proficiency in computer-assisted design (CAD) software
• Whether you have all the certifications necessary, such as NCIDQ
• How your skills may be invaluable to the company

Just remember that design is such a vast field, and you must tailor your document to match the requirements of that particular job description. As you submit your graphic designer resume, ensure that you have a compelling cover letter. This is one of the documents, besides your portfolio, that will help you win the hiring managers’ hearts.

But you shouldn’t always wait to apply to work for bigger corporations. You can always get your career moving by taking up well-paying gigs as a freelance graphic designer.

Frequently Asked Questions on graphic designer resumes.

Q: What if I haven’t finished college?

A: The lack of a diploma or degree shouldn’t discourage you from applying for your ideal job. Just get your portfolio in order, and if you’re still studying, you should mention the course you’re taking and mention the year you’re in or how many years you studied if at all you dropped out of school.

Q: Do I list my high school education?

A: The only time you can be allowed to add your high school education is when you do not have any higher education – but with a good knowledge of some CADs. However, if you have a higher education, that’s what you should mention. No one really cares about your As or Bs from high school.

Q:  What goes first between education and experience?

A: No one will really penalize you for going for whichever format. However, to be on the safe side, start with the experience if you’ve worked before. If you don’t have lots of experience, then your education can go to the top.

Q: Should a graphic designer resume be designed?

A: Based on the nature of your industry, the resume you send should have some level of creativity to it. However, be careful not to overdo it. It will also depend on whether you are sending out your resume directly or through an applicant tracking system. If you’re using the latter, then you have to keep your design to its minimum.

from Bawabba Blog https://blog.bawabba.com/freelance-graphic-design/the-ultimate-guide-to-writing-a-graphic-designers-resume/

How to get a freelance visa in the UAE

from Bawabba Blog https://blog.bawabba.com/freelancers/the-ultimate-guide-to-freelance-visa-in-the-uae/

Tips on how to write a job description of an interior designer

Interior designer job description sample templates

Let’s face it, without interior designers, our places of residence and workspaces would be very much boring and dull. An interior designer works to bring to life an artistic vision for such spaces, with a keen focus on the safety measures and functionality requirements of the place.

Furthermore, these individuals ensure to adhere to building codes and regulatory standards when planning out the design of a space. Interior designers also work to make these places more beautiful and appealing by determining the right decorative items to use, such as lighting, colors, and the materials to place.

In as much as this sounds like a task anyone can do, you may need to have a knack for creativity backed with proper training before becoming a qualified interior designer. This is because for you to become one of the best, you ought to know how to draw, read, and even edit blueprints. Furthermore, you also need to undergo training to understand the various building codes, inspection regulations, accessibility standards, and many more.

This article is intended for both employers who are actively looking to employ top-notch designers and interior designers looking for ways to boost their portfolios.

Career paths in interior design

The interior design field is a wide one, and you can choose which career path you wish to take. In the creative industry, every individual has a unique aesthetic sense, and you can utilize such an opportunity to venture into the field you are more comfortable with.

Before calling out for applications or applying for an interior designer job, it would be prudent to first understand the major types of interior designers to help you narrow down to what exactly you want. The types of interior designer jobs that are directly related to a degree in interior design include:

Interior and spatial designer

Interior and spatial engineers must have a little or basic architectural knowledge that will come in handy in their daily operations. These individuals also have to know about project management as well as having creative design skills.

Both interior and spatial designers work on renovating internal spaces. Their main area of specialization is lighting, fittings, color schemes, furnishings, and structural alterations. Such individuals can also work on commercial projects, as well as domestic and leisure settings.

At the end of it all, interior and spatial designers ensure that the spaces they work on appear attractive and are functionally relevant. Some of the most popular types of interior designers you can come across are:

• Furniture designers 

Did you know that the furniture you see at high-end places were all selected by professionals? Furniture design is a more specialized area of interior design. When you become one, your main job will be twofold – you’ll have to work directly with the clients as well as the suppliers.

The suppliers are people like the carpenters, so you have to guide them on the required designs of the furniture and what types of decorations to include in them – if need be or according to the client’s taste. When working with a client, you’ll be tasked with how the furniture will be arranged while incorporating functionality, accessibility, and optimal use of space.

• Exhibition designers 

There are hundreds and thousands of exhibitions occurring every other month, regardless of the industry. To attract more people and eventually convince them to buy their products, brands hire interior designers to help them provide the layout and pick the decor to be used in their exhibition halls (or stalls).

Exhibition designers are more knowledgeable in modular stand design, museum designs, floor management, custom build designs, etc. To become a successful exhibition interior designer, you need to be skilled in CAD (computer-aided design) and 3D packages such as Vectorworks and Adobe Suites.

Since exhibition halls might not be permanent structures, these designers consider other factors such as the traffic expected and the items to be showcased. Moreover, they also factor in the general theme of the exhibition.

• Lighting designers

Just as the name suggests, lighting designers come in handy when working to ensure that there’s adequate lighting (and the right type of lights) in a particular space. Such professionals should have basic knowledge of wiring, or they work side-by-side with a qualified electrician to bring out the best effects depending on the lighting needs and nature of a project.

Apart from deciding where the lights are to be placed and what types of lights to use, lighting designers are also involved in schematic design and are knowledgeable of the various decorative products.

• Kitchen designers 

Kitchen designers are mostly involved with coming up with kitchen designs that fit the client’s taste and aesthetics and are useful to them. A lot is taken into consideration, from the floor plan to the aesthetics and materials used.

Kitchen designers are basically tasked with ensuring that the kitchen balances both in design and functionality. Apart from knowing which decorations to use, they also need to understand general replacement procedures and the maintenance required for all the add-ons they go for.

Production designer

The other career path you can choose with a degree in interior design is becoming a production designer. Here, you must have an excellent flair for visual arts. Production designers are mostly employed in theatre arts, film, and television productions.

Such individuals are tasked with designing almost everything that pertains to a film: props, lighting, costumes, camera angles, graphics, sets, etc. In theatre plays, a production designer may also be known as a stage designer, as they are required to pin-point everything out and how they want them to be placed.

Visual merchandiser

A visual merchandiser uses their design skills and techniques to boost the image, products, and services of a brand. These professionals create eye-catching product displays and store layouts that attract customers in a way that encourages them to purchase it.

You’re best suited for this position if you have a flair for brands and fashion. You can work as part of the display team in a retail company to develop, deliver, and communicate visual strategies and concepts to promote the brand’s products. Apart from organizing physical displays, a visual merchandiser can also promote products online or in catalogs. Such individuals are also capable of landing jobs at museums or art galleries.

Corporate designers

Corporate designers create professional designs for workplaces, focusing on various settings, regardless of the size of the building or space. The spaces created have to be efficient, functional, and that both the employees’ and visitors’ safety is considered. Furthermore, corporate designers are often tasked with incorporating the company’s brand into the design.

Healthcare designers

Healthcare designers focus their work on planning and renovation of healthcare centers such as hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, residential care facilities, etc. Healthcare designers put into perspective the data and research they get to create a positive environment for the patients and the staff.

Roles and responsibilities

An interior designer’s primary role is to listen to the clients and put their suggestions into perspective by creating safe, functional, and standard layouts. Besides advising their clients, interior designers also work closely with other professionals to ensure a project comes out successfully.

They might have to work hand in hand with quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, etc. Regardless of the field that they operate in, here are some of the general roles and responsibilities that an interior designer handles:

• Creating a brief to be used and finding out what the client’s personal suggestions and requirements are.
  
• Inspecting and surveying buildings
  
• Building a rapport with suppliers and negotiating fees
  
• Setting a strategy and timeline for the project.
  
• Ensuring that plans are technically feasible
  
• Developing detailed designs, often using computer-aided design (CAD) software
  
• Picking the most appropriate materials for the design
  
• Advising clients on progress
  
• Supervising the work
  
• Search for and bid on new projects
  
• Consider how space will be used and how people will move through it.
  
• Sketch preliminary design plans, including electrical and partition layouts
  
• Create a timeline for the interior design project and estimate project costs
  
• Place orders for materials and oversee the installation of the design elements.
  
• To ensure client satisfaction.

Work environment

Much of the work by interior designers is done in design studios. However, this is mostly so when designing the layouts or rendering of the spaces. Much of an interior designer’s time is spent at the client’s location, as they need to have hands-on experience during the design process.

Furthermore, interior designers work not only with the clients but also with suppliers. This means they will spend much of their time directing the entire process until the final piece is completed.

However, the advancements in technology have enabled designers to use software to create designs remotely that can be used in a different area, even if they cannot physically be there.

Training and education

When writing an interior designer’s job description, it would be prudent to consider someone with a bachelor’s degree in interior design. The coursework that someone took should focus more on drawing, computer-aided design (CAD), and interior design. A diploma on the same is also acceptable, and added training would be an added advantage.

Some people get into the interior design industry by taking a related course in 3D design, architecture,  fashion, graphic, and textile design. All these questions are available for study at various colleges or by taking online lessons.

In some rare cases, architectural practice or a design consultancy might offer a trainee position to a candidate that showcases a high level of enthusiasm, flair, or relevant experience, even to someone without a degree.

However, it is essential to have a portfolio of varied designs that one can present to potential employers or clients. As done by many students, one way to get yourself going is to take up a one-year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. This is done before applying for a diploma or degree course. If you wish to be a little more specific, there’s also a Foundation Degree in Interior Design, which often takes two years to complete.

Licenses and certifications

Getting licensed and certified to work as an interior designer might vary from one state or country to another. In some of them, only duly registered and certified interior designers might do the work. In some others, only licensed designers are permitted to carry the title of “interior designer.”

In some other states or countries, both a licensed and an unlicensed designer can call themselves the title of “interior designer” and are permitted to carry out the work. Before hiring a candidate, ensure to go through your workplace requirements to not get into conflict with the authorities.

For instance, some states that might restrict the usage of the title “interior designer” might need someone to have passed a state-approved exam or test.

In some cases, the most common one is the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, which prospective candidates have to undergo before they actually become registered as interior designers. For you to take an NCIDQ exam, the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in interior design and at least two years of work experience.

Personality and interests

Apart from having the necessary technical skills, an interior designer should also have an interest in creating and persuading areas, according to the Holland Code framework.

The creative side of it requires one to be original and imaginative when working with artistic media. The persuasive side comes through when one needs to sell ideas to others while motivating and influencing them positively.

Some of the specific qualities that an interior designer should have include:

• Creativity – anyone that wishes to join any design field must have a knack for creativity. To become an interior designer, you must have an imaginative mind when selecting the necessary fabrics, furnishings, and identifying new ways of creating spaces that serve the client’s needs and lifestyle.
  
• Artistic ability – as an interior designer, you need to have a sense of style to help you develop designs that look amazing and are aesthetically pleasing.
  
• Detail-oriented – if there is a career that also needs someone to be detail-oriented, it is interior design. You need to be precise when measuring interior spaces and even when creating layouts. This is because you have to ensure that the furniture and other furnishings fit correctly while creating a safe and functional environment.
  
• Visualization – you need a strong sense of visual awareness to understand how things will fit together in the intended environment.
  
• Problem-solving skills – you will experience many challenges as an interior designer. You may have to deal with construction delays, inflation of costs at the last minute, unavailability of selected materials while experiencing a tight deadline, difficult contractors, etc. 

To survive (and become successful) in this field, you ought to have strong problem-solving skills to help you keep things running smoothly while keeping the project on time and within the budget.

• Interpersonal skills – these are the skills needed for the interior designer to manage a project seamlessly while maintaining a good relationship with both the suppliers and clients. 

Some of the examples of interpersonal skills needed by an interior designer include:

• Effective communication
  
• Strong negotiation skills
  
• Active listening
  
• Good organizational skills
  
• Teamwork
  
• Dependability
  
• Leadership
  
• Motivation
  
• Flexibility
  
• Patience
  
• Empathy

If hiring, you should note that the designer can have numerous interests. However, to pass the bar, they need to display these two:

• The changing trends in design
  
• The processes involved in architecture and construction

Salary

The pay for interior designers varies from one region to another. However, here is a guide that will help you when creating the job description of an interior designer:

The salaries of interior designers may also vary depending on the level of experience. For instance, trainee interior designers might have a starting salary of about $24,000 a year. An experienced interior designer can earn up to $36,000 a year, while a senior designer can earn upward of $66,000 a year.

The salaries can also be dependent on the niche or industry that one works in. here’s a table to help you get started:

Niche or place of work	Average pay
Architectural, engineering, and related services	$60,910
Specialized design services	$54,710
Furniture stores	$47,310

Interior design job description template

Here is a sample template to use when writing a job description for an interior designer:

Job brief/ summary

We are looking for an artful interior designer to create beautiful, functional spaces for residential and commercial clients. You will deal with design from the conceptual stage, development, liaising with the stakeholders, and managing and executing the plan. You will join our team of top-notch designers to ensure that all our clients receive excellent customer service while exceeding their expectations.

The goal is to design practical and functional spaces that are visually pleasing. Our ideal candidate should have at least two years of work experience with an impressive portfolio of design projects.

Interior designer duties and responsibilities

• Undertake design projects from conception, execution, and  completion
  
• Define project requirements and schedules
  
• Set costs and project fees according to the allocated budget
  
• Research and decide on materials.
  
• Supervise work progress
  
• Research and follow industry changes, evolutions, and best practices
  
• Develop new client leads and provide bids for projects
  
• Discuss goals, expectations, budget, and timeline with the client
  
• Collaborate with architects, builders, mechanical and structural engineers, and other members of the project team to create and implement a design plan
  
• Create preliminary design schemes, either by hand-sketching or computer-aided design (CAD), and send to the client for approval
  
• Place orders for all supplies and materials
  
• Oversee installation of the design elements
  
• Debrief with the client after project completion to ensure that goals were met and the project was done to the customer’s satisfaction

Requirements and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture, or related field
  
• Certification in an interior design specialty (such as lighting design, universal design, or kitchen and bath design)
  
• Portfolio showcasing customized designs
  
• 2+ years of industry experience
  
• Superior artistic and creative ability
  
• Strong problem-solving skills
  
• Attention to detail and an aptitude for visualization
  
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
  
• Proven working experience in decorating interior spaces (consultations, renovations, space planning, and new constructions)
  
• Expertise in layout, color, lighting, materials selection, custom furniture, and all installations.
  
• Proficient in AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3D Max, Illustrator, or other design programs
  
• Creative talent, imaginative, and has an eye for design
  
• Project management skills

Take away

Writing an interior designer’s job description isn’t hard. However, the first thing to consider is knowing what your new hire’s roles will be. Once you know their responsibilities, it will be much easier to curate a custom job brief, which will help you filter the candidates. Besides that, you should also beware of your region’s regulations on interior designers.

Does a person need special training and licensing to apply for a post as an interior designer? Apart from working from the office (or in-house), you can also find some pretty good freelance interior designers that will help you out regardless of the location you are from.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I look for when interviewing interior designers?
A: The first thing to look for when filtering potential candidates is their level of education. The least that one should have is a diploma in interior design. However, most importantly, you should also consider their portfolio. Have they displayed their ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures well? Do they showcase creativity in their portfolio? These are the most important things to consider when hiring an interior designer.

Q: Is it worth it to get interior design advice and services for a small living space?
A: An interior designer has a vast knowledge of colors, furnishings, materials to use, etc., that will help make your small room appear larger. Using the right color and strategically placing mirrors in your house can do wonders to increase visual depth.

As more people continue moving to urban settings, living spaces become smaller and smaller. Get help from an experienced interior designer to help make your space homier and appear bigger.

Q: What questions should I expect an interior designer to ask?
A: A professional interior designer will always have questions to ask you to ensure that everything runs smoothly – not unless you prepare yourself adequately. For starters, here are a few questions that you might expect an interior designer to you:

• What is your budget?
  
• What design style do you like or have in mind?
  
• Will you want to remain in the home during the re-design?
  
• Is there anything you absolutely do not like?
  
• How soon do you want the work to be completed?
  

.

from Bawabba Blog https://blog.bawabba.com/freelance-interior-design/tips-on-how-to-write-a-job-description-of-an-interior-designer/

20 common graphic designer interview questions

What are the 20 common graphic designer interview questions?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  
• What do you think makes someone a good designer?
  
• How do you stay abreast of the latest design trends?
  
• Where do you get graphic design inspiration from?
  
• Do you prefer to work as a team or solo?
  
• How do you handle tight deadlines?
  
• How do you incorporate feedback into designs?
  
• Describe your creative process. What are the major steps involved?
  
• What kind of design projects do you love to work on?
  
• What key metrics do you use to track your design’s success?

Whether you are a seasoned designer or a fresh graduate, having studied in a college or through online graphic design courses, it’ll come to a point when you need to hit the streets to find yourself a great gig. Looking for the perfect job can be a nerve-wracking process, and to survive (and become successful), you need to go in fully prepared.

Applying for the job isn’t the most challenging part – the biggest block comes to you when you get shortlisted, and you need to impress the employers. This way, it is essential to put your best foot forward by getting prepared in advance to ace the interview. The interview provides you with the opportunity to learn more about the company as the interviewers try to learn more about you – checking whether you are the right fit in the process.

When walking into an interview, it is a no brainer that your heart begins to pound so hard as all the nervousness knocks on your doors simultaneously. Unfortunately, there is no magical cure for the anxiety you may get whenever you’re due to attend an interview. However, there are certain steps that you can to get yourself at ease and ready to ace the interview.

This post will go through some of the best tips you can follow when preparing for a graphic designer interview. You’ll also get to see 20 of the most common graphic designer interview questions and tips on how to respond to them.

Tips to help you prepare for your interview

Prepare your portfolio

As a graphic designer, it is ideal for you to have a compelling online portfolio as well as a physical copy to showcase during the interview. If you go for an online portfolio, ensure that the links are correctly working and everything is up to date. Since you can work with links, you can link out to a number of projects, even up to 20 if you need to.

However, if you’re going for a physical portfolio, you only need to showcase anywhere between 5 and 10 of your best projects. If you have worked long enough, you should ensure that the pieces are diverse and can really show off your skills.

Note that it is also okay to attach your sketches to the portfolio. Most employers would love to hear how you got your ideas and turned them into the final product.

Prepare your resume

Although a portfolio is an ultimate resume for a graphic designer, you also need to prepare your curriculum vitae and make at least three copies. At times, the people interviewing you for the job might be more than one, so you need to come prepared with more printed resumes, even if you’d sent it via email.

Research the company

Applying for an in-house job is a little different from applying for the same position as a freelancer. The main difference is that you need to know all that there is to know about the company before the interview day. You need to know their main tone and how they structure much of their work.

What is their most popular color code? Is there a particular pattern that their designers follow to come up with a final product? Do your due diligence by finding all that you can about the company, including their goals and vision. You never know as this might come up in your interview.

Be prepared to answer the questions.

This is an interview, so you should expect questions – and lots of them! You need to be well-knowledgeable about your field and ready to answer whatever question that comes your way.

One important thing to note is that interviewers will not just ask technical questions, but they will also ask you things to do with your personality and your understanding of trends, among other things. Fortunately, this post will take you through 20 of the most common questions with tips on how to respond to them.

Ask the interviewer questions.

It is always recommended to have at least 3 to 5 questions prepared to ask the interviewers whenever they ask you whether you have any questions. This shows them that you are proactive and a curious being.

Remember that all the questions you ask should be relevant to the company and to the role you’re applying for. Some of the questions that can help you curate custom queries can be:

• “What is an example of a client challenge that you recently faced?” Their response will help you understand the type of players in that team and how they are used to working. In your ‘thank you’ letter, you can even indicate some of the strategies or solutions you could use to solve some of those challenges.
  
• “What can make me successful in this role?” This question will make the interviewers think that you are an A-player and that you wish to ensure that you provide your best when given the position. 

Although there are many other ways you can prepare yourself for the interview, these five tips will get you moving. Remember to write a ‘thank you’ note after the interview. You can get a little personal and even thank them for giving you the opportunity to interview and for them taking their time to listen to you.

Besides sounding courteous, doing this will make the interviewers see your enthusiasm about the job, and you might end up getting the job.

To help you get prepared even better, here are the 20 questions that you can expect to answer during the interview:

Graphic design interview questions and answers

1. Tell us more about yourself.

Whenever you get asked such a question, do not start getting worried about getting the right answer. Instead, such a question is a ‘blessing’ in disguise as it presents to you a chance to make yourself shine. Here, you need to explain why you are an excellent match for the job and how your qualities will prove you to be an asset to the team.

To ensure that you stand out from the other candidates, you need to ensure that instead of only focusing on your professional experience, you can also mix it with your personal interests and the job’s expectations. You can also highlight the various accomplishments that you can quantify to align the requirements of the job. Remember to show how both your skills and personality would be a great fit for the job.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

When asked such a question, it means that the interviewers want to evaluate your qualities and what impact they might have on your work performance. Before the interview, you need to assess your skills and note down a list of your strengths and weaknesses.

By assessing your strengths, the employer will know how you can align your skills to the needs of the role. By telling them about your weaknesses, they will find out more about your honesty, transparency, and willingness to learn. By learning this, the employers will identify specific areas for self-development to focus on when (and if) you get hired.

When you’re discussing your weaknesses, you can also explain the steps you plan to take to develop the area your skills are lacking.

3. Why did you choose graphic design as a profession?

Most graphic design employers will ask you this question because they want to have a deeper understanding of who they are working with. The key thing to talk most about is the motivation that led you to choose graphic design as a career.

Perhaps you could mention your drawing techniques which you decided to further on, or your knack for creativity or something as plain as your wish to make the world more beautiful with better designs. Moreover, you can also touch on your personal experiences and educational background, as part of the reasons you decided to become a graphic designer.

4. Why are you interested in working for our company?

For every graphic design interview, you will ever attend, be ready always to answer such a question. This question is often asked to determine your interests in the company and also why you applied for the said position. The hiring manager will determine how much you’ve researched the company and how you prove to be an asset to the team.

Before handing the job to you, the interviewers will want to find out your motivations for the job. Depending on how you respond to this question, you increase your chances of getting hired as the hiring managers will now have a deeper understanding of your career goals.

Emphasize the parts of the position you feel most excited about how your role will align best with your interests and experience. You can also show how informed you are about the company by complimenting them on their work – specific areas you feel they outdid themselves.

5. What do you think makes someone a good designer?

This question seeks to identify your leadership skills and whether you are able to identify what to look for if you were in the shoes of the employer. Think about the different ways you can be a well-rounded creative.

Apart from someone having an excellent technical grasp of graphic designing, you can also mention other interpersonal skills such as time management, effective communication, good problem-solving skills, the ability to multitask, and someone always eager to learn. While emphasizing the qualities that a good designer should have, you can touch on how you compare.

6. Describe a time when you had a conflict at work and what you did

The workplace is full of conflict and misunderstandings – from uncooperative co-workers to disagreements with clients. When responding to this question, your main goal is to demonstrate your ability to navigate tricky situations and eventually come up with a good solution. In most cases, experts recommend using the S.T.A.R formula when answering such a question:

S or T (situation or task) – discuss the situation you faced either alone or as a group. Here you can also talk about a task you were working on and how you faced a difficult moment when working with it, a situation caused by a colleague or a client.

A (approach) – how did you take charge of the situation? What steps did you decide to follow as a counter-measure for the problem (conflict at hand)?

R (results) – as a result of your approach, what were the results? Did you solve the problem?

Regardless of how tight the conflict was, avoid disparaging the individual that was the cause or the team involved. Instead, you should focus more on the approach that you undertook and the steps that were involved.

7. How do you stay abreast of the latest design trends?

The graphic design space is constantly shifting, and so should the designers. Graphic designers should always stay aware of all the current trends that can help them keep their designs fresh and relevant. This question is mostly intended for the employer to understand how the candidate has a true passion and mindset for graphic design that can give their company a winning edge.

An example of an answer would be to indicate social media (following your design heroes or companies on Instagram), reading art magazines, blog articles, etc.

8. What is the latest design campaign that you’ve seen, and what do you like/or not like about it?

This is often asked in most graphic design interviews to determine how good the candidate’s critique skills are. As it is not just enough to say how well you liked or didn’t like a particular design or campaign, you should be able to offer your brief opinion on the reasons why.

You could base your rationale on how the particular campaign achieved its objectives or how ineffective it was. Some of the things to consider include the color used, the type of campaign it was used for, its imagery, copy, etc.

9. Where do you get graphic design inspiration from?

It is perfectly acceptable to mention your design heroes as where you get your inspiration from, but you should also show that you think outside the box – have a uniqueness that isn’t the stock standard. You can go ahead and mention other untraditional sources of design inspiration such as history, film, art, etc.

However, remember to only tie the source of inspiration to the needs of the business. You wouldn’t want to come out as someone who doesn’t understand brand differentiation and how the source of inspiration you put forward aligns with the needs of the business. To come up with an excellent answer to this question, you ought to be culturally aware and up to date on all the popular (and latest) design trends.

10. Do you prefer to work as a team or solo?

When asked whether you prefer working as a team or rather go solo on a project, the hirers want to find out if you are versatile enough to adapt to the needs of a particular project. You can use such an opportunity to highlight the benefits of both options and ascertain that you are comfortable working in both situations – as a team and alone.

A good way around this is to ask the employers about their team structures and how their teams collaborate towards a project. You can go ahead and provide them with examples of how you worked as a team and how you managed to ace a project as you worked on it solo. You can also add that depending on the needs of the specific task, you can work comfortably solo or as a team.

11. How do you handle tight deadlines?

Being a graphic designer entails managing projects and delivering them within short turnaround times. You can share stories on how you were able to work on a project (or projects) that was required within a short period and how you managed to submit it in time.

When talking about deadlines, you can share with the interviewers what keeps you focused and motivated throughout the entire process, from the start to the end. You can be specific on what the project entailed, the timelines you were given, and how you finally managed to meet the deadlines.

12. How do you incorporate feedback into designs?

Being a graphic designer means that you’ll be in regular communication with the client to ensure that you deliver something they would be satisfied with. When asking this question, the employers want to see if you are able to effectively work with clients and how you can incorporate their feedback into your designs.

You can take the interviewers through the process you undertake whenever you receive feedback regarding projects. You are also free to talk about a time that you did it.

13. How do you respond when a client gives you harsh criticism?

As a graphic designer, you will work with all sorts of different people. Some will offer your constructive feedback reasonably, while others will be harsh and uncaring when offering criticism. As a designer, you need to have the right skills to come to an agreement with the client without escalating the matter.

Even though you may be accustomed to working in a particular way, you should display the willingness to learn new methods by improving your adaptability. Another thing that the hirers often look for when asking this question is your appreciation for the feedback. The best way to respond to such a question is first to acknowledge that you don’t take criticism as a personal attack.

14. Describe your creative process. What are the major steps involved?

It is a rule of thumb that no good designer will just jump in and start designing a project. You should always take your time to understand the assignment, and depending on the said task, you can look through available data to determine the best course of action.

When responding to such a question, do not forget that leaving a chance for substantive feedback before submitting the final design is also a crucial step in the creative process. The main things to also include in the answer are:

• Your focus on planning
  
• Attention to detail
  
• How you manage your time

15. What kind of design projects do you love to work on?

This question seeks to help the hirers understand your passions and the type of work you love working on. By answering this, they are able to get a better understanding of your skills and experience. When telling them about what you love working on the most, be sure to include a list of examples you loved the most and why you prefer working on such projects.

You can also indicate the skills you prefer when working on such assignments, as this shows your proficiency in the field. Furthermore, if you specialize in a particular field, you can indicate that it is the area you love working on the most and that you believe you will get the chance to showcase your creative side when offered the opportunity to work in the company.

If you want to increase your chances of impressing the hirers even further, you can tie the company’s portfolio with the type of projects you love the most, and that is why you applied for a position in the said company.

16. Have you made any mistakes as a designer? Did you learn anything from the experience?

Employers are always scouting for someone that is honest and can own up to their mistakes by being accountable. Although this question seeks to also identify your weaknesses (or former weaknesses), you can use it as an opportunity to discuss a particular challenge you faced and how the experience impacted your career.

You can talk of how you learned from such a situation and what measures you put in place (or planning to put in place) to ensure that such mistakes don’t happen again. By responding to this question, you should also highlight that you always try to learn from every mistake made and using the experience to ensure such an error doesn’t occur in the future.

17. Tell me about your experience working remotely.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies now prefer working remotely. However, it would be right to say that this was the case for creatives for many years. Since one can easily be a freelance graphic designer working remotely, companies are now looking at the possibility of allowing their employees to work from home.

However, working remotely also presents its own challenges. To ace this question, you need to mention the importance of regular communication, accountability, and organizational skills.

18. What key metrics do you use to track your design’s success?

A good graphic designer doesn’t just stop at their own views or the approval of the client. They also look further than that in ensuring that they did a successful job by looking at other key metrics, more so, if the design was used for an online campaign.

A good design is able to communicate the message while attracting and engaging the audience effectively. Furthermore, your graphic design should be able to motivate people to take action. Metrics such as conversion rates and click-throughs would be a great start to offering a comprehensive answer to the question.

19. Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

The interviewers often ask this question to ascertain whether you have a clear vision planned out for your life or not. They also want to have a better understanding of your career goals as a graphic designer. Your response will also enable them to know how best you fit in the team. This might also be a trick question, as your answer must always align with the career trajectory of the role you applied for.

Your answer should also include the skills you wish to gain when hired under that role and how it would contribute to your professional development. However, ensure that you first research more on the company’s goals and values so that your response will not create conflict.

20. What are your salary expectations?

Always conduct extensive market research regarding the job you are applying for and find out the salary range prior to your interview. You can use websites such as Payscale and Glassdoor to approximate the salary range of such professionals based on your level of experience and location.

Do not set the bar too high or again too low when indicating how much you ought to be compensated. You should also factor in your skill level, and the years of experience you have.

Bonus question: What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Although you may not face this question in most interviews, it is a question that’s gradually gaining popularity in graphic design interviews. This is definitely a trick question as you may not have any prior knowledge of how your competition is like.

However, this is an opportunity that you can use to highlight your strengths and special skills that can make you stand out as the perfect candidate. Apart from mentioning your technical and personal skills, you can also note your transferable skills. If you have niche expertise, then you can indicate it.

Ready to ace your graphic design interview?

Although this isn’t a comprehensive list of all the questions that you’d expect during a graphic design interview, these 20 questions and recommended modes of response will be a good starting point to get you prepared. The answers that the hirers will look for will often change depending on the company, and that’s why we did not include specific answers to the questions. However, our responds guide will help keep you on the right track.

We hope that this post will be helpful to help you ace your interview, whether for an in-house designer or as a freelance graphic designer. For now, focus more on polishing your resume and portfolio and face that interview with confidence. All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I be given a task to work on during the interview?
A: Yes. Even though, in theory, your portfolio speaks for itself, some interviewers will give you a quick task to work on. In most cases, they are simply looking at your creative process and what angle you use to work on your projects. If you get this, do not panic. Relax, and even ask for more time if need be.

Q: How do I respond if I don’t have any weaknesses?
A: We are all human, and no one is perfect. We all have a weakness in one way or the other. The key here is to be as honest as possible. However, when talking about your shortcomings, you should not only mention the skills that you lack but also what you are trying to do to develop them. Avoid old tricks like “My weakness is working too much” as they no longer work.

Q: What level of education should you have to qualify as a graphic designer? 

A: Graphic designing is more of a passion-driven career and not just what level of education you have achieved. However, before applying for corporate jobs, ensure that you get at least a Diploma in graphic design. Having a degree or higher levels of educations would be an added advantage.

from Bawabba Blog https://blog.bawabba.com/freelance-graphic-design/20-common-graphic-designer-interview-questions/