As the internet has grown in availability in many developing countries and high speed access has improved, employment opportunities in the IT sector have exploded. One of the most popular areas of job interest for young people is web design. In fact, many successful candidates in this field are largely self-taught and self-motivated. In addition, the starting wage even for a junior designer can be impressive!
Increasing Your Chances
Design jobs in Malaysia are high in demand, and there is a great deal of competition of which you should be mindful. You may have the eagerness and passion for a job like web design, for example, but getting your foot in the door and securing a job is quite another challenge! With this in mind, here are some sage tips on how you can enhance your chances of securing your dream designer job:
- Portfolio: Even before you consider applying for a design job, it is vital that you put together a coherent portfolio that showcases your best work. If you’re looking for a job as a web designer, be sure to get the permission of your clients to use their sites as examples of your work. If you are applying for a job in graphic design, make sure that your portfolio strongly reflects your design philosophy. In all cases, always feature your best work in your portfolio!
- Industry news: Before going to a job interview, it is important to be up to date on all the latest news in your industry. If you are interested in becoming a web designer, for example, you will need to be well-versed in the latest trends in responsive web design. Apart from simply being good practice to be up-to-date on your own industry news, it also demonstrates to a potential employer that you are an informed and educated individual.
- Expertise: The modern design industry revolves around software and computer technology. It is vital that you be able to demonstrate confidence using software common to your design niche. If you want to be a web designer, it is also important for you to be able to demonstrate competency in the following scripting languages: HTML, CSS, Javascript, jQuery, and PHP. In order to strongly enhance your chances of securing work in this area, extending your knowledge by learning scripting languages like Ruby on Rails is also recommended.
Making Your Resume Outstanding
Though many organisations like to see an online copy of your resume, many potential employers still like to hold a hard copy, so they can quickly scan through your skill set. The biggest issue is that many would-be designers let themselves down by having a low-quality resume, thus decreasing their chances of scoring their dream job. The ideal resume should follow these guidelines:
- Succinct: No employers wants to read through a lengthy essay, so don’t hand them a resume that is too verbose! Keep it simple and keep it short. Tailor your resume to the job at hand and highlight only what you need to. Cut out any redundant language and make it a clear, easy read.
- Well-designed: Many designers are tempted to add a lot of design elements to their resume in order to impress hirers. The guiding principles should be simplicity and readability. Don’t overdesign your resume.
The design field may be competitive, but you can increase your chances of securing an interview and being offered your dream job by following some simple advice!