I Graduated last May, and i have been looking for a Job since March. I have sent out almost ahundreds e mails and faxes. I got a few phone calls and a couple of interviews, which went good. Theys showed me the operation and all the required stuff but still i wasn’t hired. I do not believe it’s me, but the job market.
I know anyone can get a job one week or one year after graduation, but i am looking for a pattern here, so How long did it take you to get a Job?
And how did you get it?
Hi, we are in the excact same ship. I had many internships experience with good companies, speaks four different languages, got a few awards in competitions, good grades, and I don’t even ask for too much when it comes to salary.
Then I look back three or four years ago, I had to ask… how did those guys who didn’t even have a decent portfolio get job so fast???
I guess we can blame it to Bush?
A year and counting. I’ll tell you how long after I find one.
11 months looking and that’s with 3 years experience.
I eventually landed a job, and a better one than a number of ones that I interviewed for and didn’t get.
I know it’s cliche’ but hang in there something will come around. 
this just came up to my mind, how many designers apply to a Job posted in coroflot or the New York times?
I’ve sent resumes with the option to know if it has been opened by the receiver, i am telling you, recruiters don’t even open them, straightto the garbage can.
So is the trick to be the first one, show up? (they weren’t that friendly when i show up with my resume and portfolio), fax them?(no answer either)…I think the answer is just networking, they get you interviews but not the job, better than nothing. Anyway i hardly know anyone, so i am kind of screwed.
agree w/ dubmonkey…hang in there…been in your shoes before, it stinks…was laid of twice in the past 5 years when the economy tanked…
not that we are out of the woods, but seems like things are starting to look up a bit…
keep sending those resumes…although do you send cover letters? a well written cover letter, that shows your interest, and your understanding of their firm helps pull you out of the crowd a little…
been reviewing resumes and interviewing lately and that’s what seems to be doing it for us…
You guys are right, i hope…
My cover letter should be posted on the New york times, i have had them proofreaded by several people, and i had to stop my creativity i was getting too fancy in the use of the english grammar, but guess what, didn’t help either!!!, sorry guys, i have to pay for my own rent, and this sucks, i never imagine it to be so tough. Let’s hope all of us unhappy unemployed guys can get an opportunity soon.
Thanks
Nine months!..oghhh its like giving birth…only not. 
It seems it is all about the network you make. 
Its draining and a little demoralizing when you work so hard and it seems like no-one will hire you isnt it! I graduated top of my class, won a few awards, spoke 3 languages, could not find a job to save my life. I did start working after graduation but not in Industrial Design and it bothered me because it was not what I wanted to do. Its been 3 years and I recently got hired and I have to tell you the painful wait was worth every minute of it.
Dont give up, do keep sending your work out. While you are waiting, work on freelance projects if you can to stay involved and maintain your skills.
Dont send a general portfolio and cover letter. Do your research, tailor your application to the specific companies you are interested in so that you present yourself as a good fit from the very beginning. It may mean creating 3, 4, 5 different sample portfolios that show your strengths. It is worth it. Take a good look at your resume. Does it really highlight your strengths? No-one is looking to read a big list of things/skills that are not presented with any relevance to the position to the job they are trying to fill.
Finally, remember to follow up. The people I have encountered in my job search have been very friendly and if you are polite and organized, you may not get hired by Company A but you may make a friend who can put you in touch with somone at Company B.
Best of luck to you 
Only been out 1 month so I just started in April. I haven’ really been aggressive about it till now. Needed to get the new website up.
I was almost offered a job but I pulled myself out of consideration. The boss was horrible. I knew our personalities would clash. Salary was also very insulting. Benefits were terrible.
Its not enough to send resumes and nice cover letters. Be sure to follow up with a phone call! Even if its only to check to see if they have received the materials. I know I have had several instances when my emails didn’t get though. I would have never known if I didn’t call. These emails never bounced.
Don’t rely on what you see on line or the newspaper. You must network and make cold calls! I have yet to get an interview from something I have applied to on line.
On the other hand I have been contacted twice regarding my portfolio here. Also have been contacted by those doing web searches and finding my website.
hey Guess thanks for your input.
My portfolios have been very general to be honest, and as you said, maybe i should design more stuff to focus it on the industry am i applying to.
I didn’t want to bother anyone, but if you guys say cold calls works, i’ll start working on them then.
Anyway what I’ve seen is that it is going to be a tough life, i mean getting hired is very difficult, but getting fired it’s pretty easy!!
We definetly should make an union or something, i don’t want to be in this position every two years…
Those companies are obviously hiring someone, just not you. Don’t blame the market, there are always jobs for talented designers. How do you compare?
I could see how “getting too fancy in the use of the english grammar” could be limiting your opportunities.
Companies aren’t always looking when they post a Job, some cases they just leave the ad up on the internet and keep receiving resumes for months. I am a senior designer and had to fired two excellent designers just because the customer change the scope of the projects we were working at. It was a shame.
I have to disagree with CG, there aren’t a lot of positions for designers talented or not, but there are a few ones for people with good connections. it is always better a reference from someone known that a unknown person that just walks in.
Be agresive and intensive, not extensive in your job search. For what i’ve realized 4 months is the regualr wait period for designers, i’ve hired engineers right out of school, i even have to go there and hire them, so we have a huge disadvantage.
I landed a design job that pays $10 an hour w/ no benefits and I ve been looking for about a year now for a new beeter job, and Ive been getting desperate. but at least I am designing
There’ve been some very good coments/tips above.
-network
-follow-up
-cover letter
-be persistant (but not annoying)
-make your own opportunities (once a job is posted you’ll be up against a TON of competition!)
I’d also include:
-add a teaser or samples page (pictures are good!)
-make your resume stand out, and make sure it’s perfect. it only takes a a typo to have your resume tossed into the garbage, but sometimes that little extra will keep it in their hands just long enough to see that you’ve got something they’d be interested in.
I moved to one of the worst places in North America for an IDer. After getting my immigration papers I had my first job. The next one took about 6 months to get, and changing my intent from staff to freelancing. Today I have two different clients, and I’m working on others. I know this will sound a bit harsh, but I will say it anyway. The jobs are out there, you need to work harder to find them! I know we all want to be staff designers at IDEO with great benefits, but the reality is most of us will have to work for months/years living small job to small job before a firm will pick us up, or we start a firm up. If you are having trouble finding that full time dream, start pitching your skills to people as a freelancer…even if you are there for an interview (that’s how I got my last job).
Lastly, go back through what you know. Hopefully, you know something that is unique. Focus on selling that.
Good luck
I was laid off on October 31st last year and finally got a job offer last month (June). I have been working proffesionally as an IDer since 1999.
I gradtuated in May, 2004 from IIT. I started looking for work in April by attending recruiting sessions and netrworking at various conferences. I would suggest the following to give yourself better opportunities.
-
Before you apply go through your resume and portfolio to make sure that you meet all the requirements and qualifications desired by your potential employer.
-
If your going through a recruiter, get as much info as possible…ask questions!!!
-
The thing that I did that tipped the scaloe in my favor, is put together a small demonstration presentation for the hiring manager showcasing my design skills by identifying and proposing a solutions to current issues identified. This shows your interest, showcases your work, and shows initiative on your part.
-
Speak clearly, think about your answers!
Best of luck. If you are worth it, you will get a job.
you just gotta keep your head up. Try freelancing, it’ll pay the bills and is less risky to employers (greater chance for you). They’ll have no fear that they’ll be stuck with a lemon if you all don’t match up right. If you give up on the search, I’m hoping that’s not the same attitude that you’d have during a rough spot in a design project. Keep pushing, just staying active somehow is better than stopping. If you freelance, it comes and goes. I’ll go 3 months with no hits and then get 8 hits in 1 month. Keep working on the skills during the downtime so that when you’re in an upswing you’re still sharp. It’ll come, just gotta keep moving and be patient. If you have to do something else to pay the bills, no shame in it, just remember your end game to keep you focused. Good luck to all the hunters.
There are many things you can do to improve your chances of getting hired as a designer, but it seems to me many students and recent grads forget the fundamental thing; good design.
No amount of fancy presentation, communication, or trick, will save a bad design. If you can’t design, you can’t get a job as a designer.
I’m not saying anyone in particuler here is a bad designer. I’m just being fair and realistic about the industry. I do think however, more designers (who are having difficulty landing a job) should ask for feedbacks and suggestions regarding their portfolio here on this site. I understand it can be hard to take criticism of your own work, but if your work is not up to par with the competition, you won’t be able to get that job.
If you want some feedbacks on your portfolio by another designer, send me a PM.