Preparation

Job hunting begins with research. Waiting for the perfect job usually entails a long and ultimately disappointing wait. Designers have to prepare. There are many ways to find out about jobs. Often opportunities come through personal recommendations, which means it is essential to maintain a network of contacts. It also helps to ask around to see whether anyone knows about vacancies. jobs are advertised in design magazines, on design groups' websites and on online recruitment sites. Signing up with a professional recruitment firm is also an option.

Designers should begin by finding the names of studios and firms they'd like to work for - but what they mustn't do is approach only the cool studios. These are inundated with applications. Be smart and choose places that are likely to hire people. How do you know whether studios hire? Well, you can try the direct approach and call them up and ask them. But you can also look for clues. Do you know anyone who has worked for them? The more research you do, the more likely your chance of being granted an interview.

Once targets have been identified you need to find out everything you can about them. Turning up for an interview knowing nothing about a prospective employer is like turning up with a sticker on your forehead saying, 'Don't hire me'. It is also imperative to find the names of the people responsible for hiring. If this information isn't on a studio's website, call them up and ask who you should send your CV to. Most studios will happily provide this information.

Graphic Design: A User's Manual by Adrian Shaughnessy