As a writer, I can appreciate the unique job search that many creative types have to undergo to find a significant career path. In my mind, many of the traditional rules that you would associate with a typical corporate job search can be bent a bit if you are a creative type, such as a graphic artist, writer, illustrator, or web designer. Because of our unique skills and the nature of the work we do, are often hired in different ways. Sure, we have resumes and go in for interviews, but we also have portfolios, clips, and artist statements. We look to work for design firms and editorial teams that value creativity and foster innovation in our respective fields.

I have tried to gather here several tips that I think could benefit designers, developers who are looking for a job. They touch on some traditional job search ideas, but they add in a little that could turn those ideas specifically towards helping web designers. If you are a web designer who has successfully found a job doing the work you love, then please add your own thoughts in the comments section.

Do In-depth Job Research

You are in a creative niche, it will be very hard to set yourself apart because there are lot of designers with same qualification Employer in the creative field is naturally creatively inclined, so they seek for employees who match’s their own design aesthetics. This means you have to do more research on the job openings than you would if you were simply looking for yet another job in, say, human resources or data management. Search the company on google, find out whatever you can about the company such as mission statement, company operation. This will help you during the interview and give you better idea what kind of company they are. This is a very hard thing for job seekers to account for out there in the current job market.

Have A Killer Portfolio

After you have done all the required research on the jobs to which you would like to apply, It is time to present your work. You have to present your work in such a way as to highlight what you think are your strengths as a designer. An online portfolio is essential for any creative professional because it allows the to get employer a sense of your work style and ability. There are usually follows two types of online portfolio style : minimal design portfolio and decorative design portfolio.

• Minimal design portfolio are focused on showcasing the work itself rather then the design of the website. The want their work to “pop out” and speak for itself.  Here are some example of minimal clean portfolio.
• Decorative design portfolio are the kind of portfolios that are creatively designed website that has a lot graphics, icons, styles, sketch arts. They have modern layout such as horizontal scrolling and 3D layouts. In a way the website itself presents itself as the artists’ work . Here are some hand-drawn and creative design portfolio.

You will sometime see many designers like to combine both style to create a well balanced portfolio. If you are presenting your printed material, art work, sketch make sure they are organize in a neat clean folder. How you present your work says a lot about your personality.

Related

• 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
• Build a Killer Online Portfolio in 9 Easy Steps
• Five Popular Design Portfolio Website Styles

Interview Like A Professional

When you interview, situate yourself as if you already were offered the position. This attitude will help you answer questions to show the firm what you would do to help the company. Explain how your previous work allowed you to meet successfully the objectives of the position for which you are interviewing. Finally, dress for the part; figure out what sort of dress code the firm follows and show up in that attire. Sometimes overdressing could be just as weird to a potential employer as dressing too informally. If it is for an off-site job and you are having a telephone or skype interview make sure  you sound confident, energetic and positive.

Following-Up

Do not forget to follow-up! As a potential web designer, you should follow up with an email, thanking the interviewer for his or her time, which could encourage that interviewer to go over to your website and resume. Moreover, it shows the employer that you are really interested in the position.

Where to Look for Creative Jobs?

So, now that you know steps to follow when looking for jobs, here are couple of online job listing site for web & graphic designer and web developers.

• Craigslist – If you are looking for something local start with Craigslist.
• AIGA Job Directory
• Authentic Jobs
• Xemion
• Smashing Jobs
• The Sensational Job
• Colorflot
• Mashable Jobs
• The Read/WriteWeb Job Board
• 37Signals Job Board
• Design:Related Job Board
• WooJobs
• Freelance Job Search
• Project4Hire
• Freelanceswitch Job Board
• Freshwebjobs
• GetACoder

This guest contribution was submitted by Pamelia Brown, who specializes in writing about associates degree. Questions and comments can be sent to: pamelia.brown@gmail.com.