AVClub
November 9, 2017, 1:11pm
2
jordantheperson:
Hello, looking for some thoughts on an issue I will be running into as I look to change industries. This topic isn’t necessarily design related but since I am an industrial designer, figured this would be a good place to ask. You all seem to be very generous with your advice which is great! Much appreciated!
So I have been working for a small company for close to 6 years. Its the first and only professional design job I have had besides a handful of freelance projects (mostly rendering and some design/build stuff). The company is far from known or prestigious and the work is not interesting. Maybe I am over thinking this but I am afraid that having stayed there for 6 years shows a lack of motivation on my end. The main reason I have been there for so long is because I was promoted to creative director (more like a lead designer) after my first year and have been getting big salary increases each year. Yes, MONEY! …money to pay off $90k in student loans; which I will have paid off around the end of this year.
Obviously there are aspects of the job that keep me interested like the creative problem solving, occasional graphic design and general designing of things that work and look good. I also know that I have been very fortunate in my position but at this point I am burnt out and my soul grows dimmer by the day.
So how might I handle this in my cover letters and interviews in a concise and graceful way? My thought is to be honest, toot my own horn a bit, and speak to the side work that is more related to the industry I am trying to get into.
Thanks!
I feel like because you were promoted to that position being it your first job, you can definetly error on the side of “I knew there was alot of potential and I felt the need to keep going to get the job done.” I think if you can show a way that you helped transform something you will be good.