A Designer’s Guide to Organizing a Job Hunt

2 min read6 days ago

Carl has hired thousands of Product Designers. As a product designer, searching for a new job can be a daunting task. With so many opportunities available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you stay organized and focused throughout your job hunt.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Before starting your job search, take some time to reflect on what you’re looking for in a role. Consider your values, interests, and long-term career goals. Ask yourself:

What type of design work do I want to do?
What industry or sector appeals to me?
What are my salary requirements?
What kind of company culture do I thrive in?

Step 2: Update Your Online Presence

Make sure your online profiles are up-to-date and showcase your design skills and experience. This includes:

Your portfolio website
LinkedIn profile
Dribbble or Behance accounts
Resume and CV

Step 3: Network and Make Connections

Attend design events, meetups, and conferences to connect with other designers and potential employers. You can also:

Reach out to designers in your network for advice or referrals
Join online design communities and forums
Participate in design challenges and hackathons

Step 4: Research and Apply

Research companies and roles that align with your goals and values. When applying, make sure to:

Customize your resume and cover letter for each role
Showcase relevant design work and case studies
Follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter

Step 5: Prepare for Interviews

Before interviewing, research the company and role, and prepare to talk about your design process and experiences. Consider:

Reviewing common design interview questions
Practicing whiteboarding or design challenges
Preparing thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer

By following these steps and staying organized, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream design role. Good luck!

Carl is a Talent Sourcer Building Design, Product & Engineering Teams at Meta. Carl is also a Mentor at Mento Design Academy. Before recruiting, he was a product designer working with many tech startups to design mobile apps. Carl is also the co-founder of a Meetup called Global UXD where he helps connect designers with each other and create new opportunities. Having completed Thinkful and DesignLab bootcamps before becoming a recruiter, he’s an expert at helping designers land their first design roles. Find Carl on carlwheatly.com and LinkedIn.