How to land a job interview as a designer!
- Aseel A. H.
- May 12, 2018
- 4 min read
I have tried to apply to the job as an interior designer in IKEA 4 years ago, obviously, they only took online applicants *cringing* , which honestly is the hardest thing ever, because this whole online job application is just way too over saturated AND it puts a very thick veil between you and the recruiter.
Like a complete maniac I started apply to EVERY!!!!! job opening in IKEA,
Sales? of course.
Shopkeeper? Check.
Interior Design MANAGER? definitely.
Truck driver? Yep.
I was so desperate to get noticed because since I was in 3rd year in university, IKEA was my dream job,
until one day, I was chitchatting with my bestie and she was like "let's go there and hand our c.v.'s out to every co-worker we meet! " I loved the idea! Honestly it never occurred to me to do that because I knew they "exclusively" take online applicants.
So we did just that, we started talking to everyone in IKEA, until we got to a guy called Preetham, he was the person who was kind enough to actually take our CV's and hand them over to the Interior Design manager at that time.
We got a call for the interview 3 days later!!!!!
I am not saying that you should do that, but you definitely could.
Now I am working on my own, and trying to establish something, but I still have a lot of my friends who are struggling to get an interview, they know that they ABSOLUTELY can land the job but getting the interview seems to be the hardest part!
So I researched it a little bit and I came up with a "strategy" I really hope it would help someone.
The strategy consists of 4 major points:
1- Applying to the correct job posting:
So I told you that I applied to all the job postings in IKEA, what I didn't tell you though is that what probably delayed me from getting the interview was: applying to all the jobs.
There are basically questions they call: the killer questions, which eliminates anyone who has less experience than required and whom career path is completely different.
The chances are: my resume didn't get to anyone because I got eliminated way before it could get anywhere.
2- Resumes and Video Resumes:
We all know how important it is to perfect your c.v.,
your CV is your first impression, its your intro to the recruiter and hopefully to your future manager. So make sure that you have structured it well. Show off your accomplishments and experience, even your experience as a student. (what kind of projects you did, what challenges you faced, and what is the outcome).
However, I am here to help you go the extra miles, why not make a visume?
What's a visume you ask? That is a video resume, a short and sweet way to give your first impression in a more-humanly manner.
I asked our brilliant HR Rino whether they get visumes or not, and he said not at all, and that it would be impressive if someone actually sent it out. However, he told me that traditional resumes are still essentials so you can go back to any information without playing back the videos.
Visumes can be your elevator pitch, a very quick intro that tells a story to build a connection with the person that could help you out.
This is most brilliant visume I saw online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK-b02BHEx0
And btw, it landed her the JOB!
3- Portfolio
Even if your first impression is good, you need to prove that you are consistent and that you have got the eye for the designery tasks that your future employer might give you.
Make sure your portfolio is simple and not chaotic hot mess, look at it through the recruiter's eye, and see if it is understandable.
A very important part of your portfolio is your social media and online presence! Show off your personal brand through the common channels if that's what you are into. Most of the recruiters do a little background check on you before they call you for an interview. (I really wish someone have told me this before so I could start branding myself early on).
4- Network, Network, NETWORK!!
Do you know how many events are there around you that is about art and design? No? Time to research.
Research those events, physically go there and do your magical elevator pitch! I believe in you, I think you are awesome and amazing and you can impress anyone with your experience and creativity, and this is your chance to impress a human being without their devices.
However a part of networking is LinkedIn, how does your profile look? Is it completely neglected or do you regularly update and share? Well LinkedIn is like facebook, for business. So if you want to impress your future employer, stalk them a little bit but be subtle about it. Message them, and tell them about yourself. They will be impressed by your dedication and passion for the job, that beats any skills or experience level, because if you are passionate, then you are willing to learn and to grow the company with your hands and sweat.
Those were my tips for you, I really wish you the best of luck in your job search, and happiness wherever you might land.
Do you have any other tips? Comment down if you do so we can all learn something
Special Thanks to my friend Rino Suren, one of the best Photographers and HR in the world.
https://twitter.com/rinosuren
Much love to you ♡
Aseel
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