Degree in hand, portfolio under your arm, and the world at your fingertips. What could possibly stand in your way? hmm... where to begin...
Unfortunately there's more to the interview process than skimming the resume and perusing the portfolio. Your interviewer is likely to take the time to really read your resume, and may have some questions. Your resume could actually HINDER you from getting the job! What's on your resume that indicates whether you count down the seconds to 5:00, or work till the job is done? Does it say anywhere that you use the same font/color in every project, or have varied styles in your design arsenal?
Today it takes much more than a degree, resume and portfolio to get anywhere.
Check Yourself.
Are you a "well-rounded" graphic designer, or do you fall into a "niche?" It's great to be good at something specific, and if you consider one thing to be your strength, great! But the more narrow your focus, the more difficult it will be to find your place in the workforce. You could be hired based on your stellar web portfolio, but when asked to create thumbnails for a logo, you freeze, and the next designer steps up to get the raise, promotion, or even your job. And if you can't talk to clients, or take criticism from your boss, you won't last very long.
I recommend "Talent is not enough," a book that drives home that there's more to landing a job than relying on talent alone. No, it has no pictures. Get used to it.
Take some time to check your resume and portfolio, to be sure that it represents you individually, and uniquely.
Work on areas that you feel least confident, while still cultivating your strengths.
But more than anything, to pad your resume and portfolio, I've narrowed down 5 of the most important things to do before you graduate.
1. Volunteer. You might call it an "internship," but volunteering anywhere, not just in your field could do so much for your resume. Volunteering at a place that gives you no reward or payback at all is even more glittery to a potential employer.
2. Network. On graduation day, you'll be saying goodbye to many of your classmates and friends, so it's a good idea to start connecting with other creative people. It can give you a totally new perspective on design, and you end up with friends and allies who might just call on you for work in a pinch. It's all about who you know, and who THEY know.
3. Subscribe. Call it an investment, or whatever you like, you can use it as a tax write-off. Pick at least one publication to subscribe to yearly. I suggest ComArts or HOW, but find one that helps your creativity bloom. There are so many that provide a wealth of knowledge in each issue.
4. Grow Thick Skin. I was lucky enough to have professors in college teach me the most valuable lesson - Not everyone will love your work as much as you do. Learn to take criticism and direction. Defend your work to clients, but not to your boss. Keep an open mind, and if they say trash it, then TRASH IT!
5. Draw. If you're still not great at drawing, having your degree doesn't mean you get to stop trying. You should concentrate on thumbnailing layouts for print or web - nothing fancy or detailed - rectangles, squares, columns, etc. Get used to thumbnailing first, someday you will need it!
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