How a Graphic Designer Can Get a Job

At No Limit Agency*, we have been searching and recruiting a top level graphic designer to join our firm. As we inch forward to creating a more robust digital and design team on the way to becoming a stronger full-service agency, we have aggressively searched for the needle in the haystack to fit our system, which is not the big agency. What our agency offers is the ability to have a voice, to have more creative freedom in the process and to ultimately help shape a team. This process has been long, but we are making steps along the way.

Throughout the month of May, I received more than 1,000 resumes for our open graphic designer position. With more than 1,000 resumes, individuals must find a way to stand out. You can stand out by leveraging your experience, your design, your cover letter and your creativity.

Our search for a graphic designer has included many job sites, but primarily LinkedIn. Along the way, I feel I have seen it all. Here are my top 12 suggestions for not winning and then, hopefully, winning:

The Microsoft Word Resume with No Design: Come on man, what are you thinking? You are a designer, who wants a career in design, yet, you use Word to showcase your artistic strength?

The Microsoft Word Resume with Design: You know, the one that uses Word Art to create a “logo” of their initials?

The Microsoft Paint Portfolio: Not the guy who spent 10 years perfecting the art, more so, the designer who gives themselves a high mark in illustration, yet, paints with an old tool.

The PDF Resume that Doesn’t Know How to Link: I wanted to click on your website, but you didn’t hyperlink the resume, so, there’s that.

Applying Through LinkedIn without Attaching the Resume: Such an easy win, such an easy loss.

The Form Submission Through Our Site Asking What Someone’s Email Address Is: Google it. It will save your resume from being deleted.

Listing Web Design as a Major Skillset and Then Using Wix: If you want us to see your great portfolio, create a site to display it.

Calling Our Agency No Limits, Nolimits, nolimit or a Company Name that has Nothing to Do with Ours, Because You Forgot to Delete on Copy Paste: 1,000 resumes means those who take their time and do a little research can find a way to stand out among the very few that nail the fundamentals.

Lists Out 100 Freelance Projects They Are Currently On: Love entrepreneurial mindsets, but want to know that your attention will be here.

Leaves Jobs Every 6-8 Months: For us, we want to see that you are committed, loyal and into giving a business a chance to be a valuable part of your career.

Blank Profile Photos, Photos of You With Sunglasses, Photos of you with Other People (which one is you): A good photo can help showcase your personality.

Politics Galore: In the agency world, saying nothing is better than being vocal with politics, because you don’t know where the brand’s stand within an organization. Unless you think you can change the world with your social media opinion, keep that offline and between you and your friends.

Today, there are a ton of jobs, but, if there are 1,000 people applying for one at our company, that means supply is low and demand is high. Standout. Do the basics. Cover letter, nice website, consistency in your resume and then the LinkedIn positioning table stakes. Do the little things and someone will want to take a chance on you. Grit is still highly valuable, but if you don’t show you care about the little things, some businesses may pass on you – not because you are a bad designer, but because you are a bad publicist for yourself.