Graduates: How to get a job in your dream studio

Tens of thousands will graduate this summer from UK design courses. They are eager to begin their careers. They will make crucial decisions over the next few weeks that will impact not only their future but also the rest of the course of their career. There's no pressure.

After sifting through a lot of CVs, I know what factors can make or break a designer's chances of landing - and keeping - a challenging, rewarding role. This article will give you some tips on choosing the right studio, how to stand out during the selection process and how to make an impact in those early weeks.

Selective

The truth is that looking for a job and searching for a dream job can be completely different. Too many graduates send their CVs to as many places they can find. This creates a heap of generic, boring cover letters that hiring managers shudder to read.

You need to understand what it means to find and get your dream job. Are you looking to expand your focus or learn new skills? Are you looking to take on your own projects or work from a 9-5 job? You should focus on agencies that meet your needs.

Job satisfaction is also influenced by culture and the environment. You can look at the portfolios of potential coworkers to see if there are any inspiring social accounts. To get a feel for the studio, you can reach out to those who work there.

Your portfolio should be tailored to each interview

Portfolios, and not the CV, make the first impression.

Brands and studios won't be interested in seeing a generic tour of your portfolio. Many graduates will have similar work to display, based upon briefs from university courses. The trick is to find a way for your work to stand out to each agency.

We want to understand why a piece is important to us. It is important to show interest in and understanding the culture and clients of your agency.

Talented designers are needed to explain the process to us and give their answers.

We are looking for people who can contribute to our discussions. Dialog is the key to building a community. We're looking for people who can add to our conversations.

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Social media wisely

Social media is something I first look at when looking for potential employees. What can the work they're seeing contribute to the work we do with our clients? Are they following the same people that I am? Do they share a passion in design? Are they driven to create disruptive work?

I love to see applicants who are enthusiastic and willing to try new things in the field of design. Social media can give you a glimpse of their personality and creativity in a way that a graduate portfolio or interview cannot. Employers will be impressed by your ability to showcase your work online and use the right hashtags to engage in the design community. You can also view your feed as an opportunity to grow and challenge yourself.

One applicant at PepsiCo impressed me with her hours-long project about the brand. She displayed it beautifully on her Insta-feed. It was a clear indication of her willingness and ability to work with us. It was an easy decision to hire her.

Keep your curiosity and passion alive

You can hold onto the job once you have been hired. Follow through with what you said in your application. Continue to show passion and engage with others.

Participate in conversations and take on projects that challenge your knowledge. Ask for help. Ask for support and advice. Connecting with mentors was a great resource for me when I switched from studying to work.

Remember that this is an important time in your career. But, most importantly, remember that it should be enjoyable. Our London and NYC studios work hard but are always excited about the people and the work they create. You might find a job you love if you put in the work now.