artfully applying: vol. 2

Navigate the job search and find the right match for you

triptych image featuring Dove's cucumber refillable deodorant, a layered mushroom visual by Bolt Threads, and Seedlip's compostable mushroom gift packaging

Looking for a job — especially the right job — can be a challenge. This article dives into the many different platforms available to you as you search.

SPECIALIZED JOB BOARDS

You can look for roles on online job boards for creatives like AIGA, Dribbble, or even Behance. AIGA Chicago also offers unique career search resources like workshops for landing your first design job. If you belong to BIPOC communities, Blvck Door, WATBD, and Revision Path are excellent places to find creative opportunities with employers who have equity and diversity top of mind.

SPECIALIZED JOB BOARDS

You can look for roles on online job boards for creatives like AIGA, Dribbble, or even Behance. AIGA Chicago also offers unique career search resources like workshops for landing your first design job. If you belong to BIPOC communities, Blvck Door, WATBD, and Revision Path are excellent places to find creative opportunities with employers who have equity and diversity top of mind.

SCHOOL JOB BOARDS

If you had the opportunity and chose to attend college, your school’s job board can be a good place to look as it will have job postings from companies that have partnerships with your school and/or recruiters who are alumni.

This gives you a leg up because you will likely have first dibs on applications and a much higher chance of being hired! Many colleges now use Handshake, a unique online recruiting platform where employers can directly interact with, interview, and hire potential candidates by school. Students and alumni can register for job fairs, information sessions, and other recruiting events through the platform.

triptych image featuring Adidas's collaboration with Bolt Threads on a new mushroom-based shoe
triptych image featuring Adidas's collaboration with Bolt Threads on a new mushroom-based shoe

SCHOOL JOB BOARDS

If you had the opportunity and chose to attend college, your school’s job board can be a good place to look as it will have job postings from companies that have partnerships with your school and/or recruiters who are alumni.

This gives you a leg up because you will likely have first dibs on applications and a much higher chance of being hired! Many colleges now use Handshake, a unique online recruiting platform where employers can directly interact with, interview, and hire potential candidates by school. Students and alumni can register for job fairs, information sessions, and other recruiting events through the platform.

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn’s dual functionality as a networking tool and job board makes it particularly helpful. Open the door to more opportunities by using LinkedIn to make introductions to potential mentors, employers, and peers. Pro-tip: when you are applying for a job, track down the profile of whoever is responsible for interviewing or hiring and send them a brief introduction.

A simple, “Hello Parker, my name is Belinda Bird. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know I’ve sent an application for the Junior Designer role with Design B&B. I truly hope to get an opportunity to learn more about the work you do and how I can be a part of it.” This can bolster your application by keeping you top of mind and showing your initiative!

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn’s dual functionality as a networking tool and job board makes it particularly helpful. Open the door to more opportunities by using LinkedIn to make introductions to potential mentors, employers, and peers. Pro-tip: when you are applying for a job, track down the profile of whoever is responsible for interviewing or hiring and send them a brief introduction.

A simple, “Hello Parker, my name is Belinda Bird. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know I’ve sent an application for the Junior Designer role with Design B&B. I truly hope to get an opportunity to learn more about the work you do and how I can be a part of it.” This can bolster your application by keeping you top of mind and showing your initiative!

INSTAGRAM

Instagram — the most unconventional way to find a job — has also proven to be a useful one in recent years. Various brands like The Creative Collective NYCTM, Design Jobs Board, and We the Makers connect creatives with professional opportunities. They’ll often share job postings from affiliated agencies or studios and will also curate career advice and resources.

You can also use Instagram to reach out to professionals and companies through Direct Message. This is a good place for you to share appreciation for their work and also build a bit of rapport. Then, when the time is right, you can ask about opportunities that they may have! Although this is an informal route to take, people are usually happy to hear from followers with an interest in them.

triptych image featuring Adidas's collaboration with Bolt Threads on a new mushroom-based shoe
triptych image featuring Adidas's collaboration with Bolt Threads on a new mushroom-based shoe

INSTAGRAM

Instagram — the most unconventional way to find a job — has also proven to be a useful one in recent years. Various brands like The Creative Collective NYCTM, Design Jobs Board, and We the Makers connect creatives with professional opportunities. They’ll often share job postings from affiliated agencies or studios and will also curate career advice and resources.

You can also use Instagram to reach out to professionals and companies through Direct Message. This is a good place for you to share appreciation for their work and also build a bit of rapport. Then, when the time is right, you can ask about opportunities that they may have! Although this is an informal route to take, people are usually happy to hear from followers with an interest in them.

GENERAL SEARCH PLATFORMS

An often overlooked job search resource, Google, has been refining their job search tool and can quickly scan for opportunities in your area. When using Google, simply typing in your job search query into the search bar (for example, junior graphic designer jobs) will pull up a list of job postings from various websites. Job boards, like Indeed or Glassdoor can also help you find a greater variety of roles and opportunities.

GENERAL SEARCH PLATFORMS

An often overlooked job search resource, Google, has been refining their job search tool and can quickly scan for opportunities in your area. When using Google, simply typing in your job search query into the search bar (for example, junior graphic designer jobs) will pull up a list of job postings from various websites. Job boards, like Indeed or Glassdoor can also help you find a greater variety of roles and opportunities.

The ability to reach out to professionals, colleagues, and mentors through such a variety of platforms is a privilege. Yet, many people avoid using these platforms to their full advantage, afraid to look desperate or to ask for help. One of our designers, Ellie Schwartz says, “I would not be afraid to ask for help! A lot of alumni I had reached out to were incredibly supportive, and the more people that know you’re looking for a new role, the more eyes you have on the job market to help you. I definitely had people sending me opportunities via Instagram and email.”

Remember, it’s okay to get help and you’ll find that you can go a lot farther with it than without. If you don’t feel like you have a strong network yet, don’t fret. Connections aren’t everything, despite what people may say! Senior Designer, Amy Ackermann, says “Everyone told me I needed to network and have connections to get a job — but all of the job offers I’ve received have been from cold emailing someone who I didn’t know.”

triptych image featuring Adidas's collaboration with Bolt Threads on a new mushroom-based shoe
triptych image featuring Adidas's collaboration with Bolt Threads on a new mushroom-based shoe

The ability to reach out to professionals, colleagues, and mentors through such a variety of platforms is a privilege. Yet, many people avoid using these platforms to their full advantage, afraid to look desperate or to ask for help. One of our designers, Ellie Schwartz says, “I would not be afraid to ask for help! A lot of alumni I had reached out to were incredibly supportive, and the more people that know you’re looking for a new role, the more eyes you have on the job market to help you. I definitely had people sending me opportunities via Instagram and email.”

Remember, it’s okay to get help and you’ll find that you can go a lot farther with it than without. If you don’t feel like you have a strong network yet, don’t fret. Connections aren’t everything, despite what people may say! Senior Designer, Amy Ackermann, says “Everyone told me I needed to network and have connections to get a job — but all of the job offers I’ve received have been from cold emailing someone who I didn’t know.”

Our Creative Director, Cleo Ledet, got her first creative role by researching agencies she was interested in and emailing her top ten directly. This approach helped her achieve clarity on what she truly wanted and landed her two interviews! By being proactive, having a willingness to take risks, and trusting in yourself to bounce back from setbacks, you can go farther than any single app, tool, or resource will take you. Olivia Noll, Senior Designer at Design B&B, sums it up well:

 

“The right opportunity is out there; with persistence, things will fall into alignment.”

 

Looking for an internship? We’re thrilled to be welcoming two summer design interns to our coop this summer. Apply now.

At Design B&B, we believe in making design accessible. Our creative career search guide is one small part of our company’s mission to create pathways into the design field for all. Stay tuned for Vol. 3 which breaks down interview best practices.

This article was written by Daniel Aberra, Designer at Design B&B, who coordinates our Columbia TRIO internship program. He often leads design directions for a wide variety of clients from Fortune 100 companies to local non-profits. Daniel is known in the office for his sweet tooth and can often be found enjoying an Eggo Liege-style Waffle.