New year, new career? As we venture into 2021, you might be looking for your first interior design job, changing to a different design role, or making a complete career change into the world of design.
Whatever your circumstances, a career move can be very daunting, to say the least. However, with dedication, commitment, and a few important steps, that dream job could easily be yours.
To support you in landing your ultimate dream job, we’ve put together a few tips to help you out.
Check-In With Yourself
Whether you are fresh out of college or a seasoned interior designer, it’s important to start with a little self-reflection. Think about what draws you to interior design, what you love about your current job, and what you find most challenging.
Thought-provoking questions like this will help you uncover the type of interior design jobs that are right for you. Self-reflection will also help you decide if you’re better suited to work at a smaller boutique firm or a bigger corporate company.
Upskill Yourself
Although the interior design industry has various entry points, upskilling yourself will only have added benefits.
Are you particularly interested in home textile design or perhaps specializing in creating 3D models?
There are so many courses that can help set you apart and guide you toward specializing in an area you love. Also, be sure to read books and magazines, listen to podcasts, and research as much as you can online in the areas that interest you the most.
Do Your Homework
If you have always admired someone’s position, ask them to share important aspects of their job with you. Learn about how they got there, what steps they took, the challenges they face, and the best and worst parts about their interior design jobs.
If you’ve always wanted to work for a specific company, try to connect with someone who works there. Thanks to platforms like LinkedIn, this has become much easier to do. Don’t be shy; most people will be happy to share their experiences and insight with you.
Find a Mentor
One of the best ways to help land your dream job is to find yourself a mentor within the interior design industry. A mentor can offer you guidance, advice, or just a simple sounding board when it comes to bouncing off career development ideas you might have. But, don’t just choose a mentor whose job you want in 10 years; select someone who is aligned with you on a personal level and someone who shares the same morals and values as you do.
Build Your Network
A key ingredient to almost any successful career is to build up a strong and diverse network. Whether it’s connecting with old classmates, joining a society, or going to trade shows, it’s crucial to connect with the right kind of people.
Cultivating a network of like-minded creatives will help you form professional connections, which in turn can lead you to more career opportunities. Remember, a personal referral often stands you in better stead than simply sending through your resume. Also, be sure to sign up with specialist interior design recruiting firms, they can help steer you in the right direction.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Sure, you’ll have a portfolio of work to send to prospective employers; however, using your social media accounts as an extension of your creative side is a must. For example, on top of using it to share your own work, use your Instagram feed to capture interiors you admire and showcase inspirational designs from others. This will help employers evaluate your own unique eye for good design that will only spur their interest.
Be Bold
Finally, it’s important to be bold when it comes to going after your dream job. Move forward, take chances, and constantly be on the lookout for new and exciting opportunities. Don’t just sit back and wait for an opportunity to fall into your lap, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. After all, fortune favors the brave, right?
If you’re looking to make a career move within this field, Interior Talent is an interior design recruiter. We have a range of interior designer jobs that range from interns to CEOs. So, if you need help finding your dream job, contact Interior Talent today.