How to get your first job as a Web Designer

The first question you should ask yourself is ‘what makes me happy?’ Whether you are a graduate or someone new to the Web Designing industry, the answer to this question will determine where you will end up.

Really think about it… It might seem like a ridiculous question and often people take it so lightly, but if you want to end up having a great job, you need to be able to answer that question. Once you have answered that question, every step you take will bring you even closer to your true passion.

The next steps…Your first impression lies in your cover letter. No matter how you try to make it pretty or readable, it will make no sense if there is no purpose to it.

Firstly, instead of attaching the cover letter as a document, rather use it as your email body. It is different and unexpected and that is how you want to come across. But before just ‘copying’ and ‘pasting’, consider these tips:

1. Know the person you are sending the email to. This will prevent you from using the typical ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ titles. Find out from the company you are interested in about the person responsible for the HR Department in the company.
2. How much do you know about the company? This will help you in your cover letter when you are explaining why you would love to work for them.
3. Why are you the best candidate for the Graphic/Web Designing job? Putting aside your qualification, what makes you different from other candidates?
4. Show your personality. Graphic and Web Designing are creative careers, you need a personality matching your choice of job, so don’t hide it, show it.
5. Instead bombarding the HR person with PDF documents of your work, rather include a link of your own website or Blog to lead them to your portfolio.
6. There is a huge difference between confidence and arrogance, do not come across as an arrogant person. Show your willingness to learn as, believe it or not, you do not know as much as you think you know.
7. Show gratitude. This is your time you are using up, as well as theirs. Be grateful that they read your email.

Nevertheless, it is also more than just your cover letter that you need to perfect. You also need to nail your CV. Do your research on how to build your Web Designer CV, that will show off your strengths, skills and experience in the best and most creative way possible.

With each career, the format of the CV changes, there are certain things you must include and other things that need to be excluded, so visit websites online and find out how you can better present yourself as a Web Designer.

Once you have nailed your CV and cover letter, you can now send it to the recruiter. Do this with all the Web Designer companies that offer positions that you are interested in.

Are you looking for Web Designer jobs? Browse the Job Mail website for Graphic Designer jobs and other ideal jobs in South Africa.