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What Are the Best Tips for Graphic Design Job Placement?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

The best tips for graphic design job placement are often those that recommend choosing a design program based, at least in part, on the strength of the job placement services it offers its students. An individual may also benefit from tips that recommend creating a portfolio of one's best work to show prospective employers. Tips that offer suggestions of places to look for a job may prove helpful as well. Additionally, an individual may consider tips that recommend finding alternative ways to show off one's talents to prospective employers.

Sometimes the best tips for graphic design job placement are those that involve choosing a school wisely. This is because some schools that offer graphic design programs also offer free job placement help to both current and former students. The strength of the job placement program may vary from school to school, however — some may have numerous contacts in the graphic design field and an excellent track record for helping students find jobs. Schools may also differ in terms of the extent of the placement help they offer. For instance, some may provide helpful services to students for years after they have graduated while others might restrict their help to currently enrolled or recently graduated students.

Graphic designers should be familiar with the latest image generation programs.
Graphic designers should be familiar with the latest image generation programs.

Many tips for graphic design job placement involve creating an impressive portfolio. Employers typically want to know more than where a job candidate received his education; they typically want to know that the candidate has the talent and skill to produce the type of work they seek. For this reason, many graphic design job placement tips focus on creating a portfolio of one's best graphic design work.

Some schools offer job placement assistance to their graduates.
Some schools offer job placement assistance to their graduates.

An individual doesn't have to stick with work he produced in school or for paid projects when creating his portfolio. He can also include work samples created for a company for free, such as work produced during an internship. He may even choose to create samples for fictitious projects as long as he does not try to pass them off as paid work in an effort to fake having more experience than he really does.

A graphic designer's portfolio should contain their best work and examples of current trends in the industry like infographics.
A graphic designer's portfolio should contain their best work and examples of current trends in the industry like infographics.

Some tips for graphic design job placement also focus on deciding where to apply for a job. A person who is interested in a career in this field may have many choices available to him. For example, he could find a job with a graphic design or advertising firm, or even land a job with a computer company or a publishing company. Some people in this field may even find jobs in the entertainment industry, such as with television or movie companies. Additionally, a person who is interested in this career might find a job teaching others graphic design or choose to offer his services as a freelancer.

Graphic design job placement also involves finding ways to let one's talent and skill shine. A job seeker's portfolio is a common way to do this, but he may also consider designing his own paper, letterhead, envelopes, and business cards. This way, a potential employer can get a feel for the job candidate's style and talent before he even opens the job seeker's portfolio. Additionally, an employer may be impressed with the effort a person has put into job hunting when he designs his own stationery.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Graphic designers should be familiar with the latest image generation programs.
      By: vukas
      Graphic designers should be familiar with the latest image generation programs.
    • Some schools offer job placement assistance to their graduates.
      By: lenets_tan
      Some schools offer job placement assistance to their graduates.
    • A graphic designer's portfolio should contain their best work and examples of current trends in the industry like infographics.
      By: tovovan
      A graphic designer's portfolio should contain their best work and examples of current trends in the industry like infographics.