Stand Out: Design a personal brand. Build a killer portfolio. Find a great design job.

14. Employ the Tools for a Dynamic Job Search

Creating and maintaining your arsenal of resources.

As a designer seeking employment, your most valuable resource is a well-conceived portfolio that tells a compelling story about your capabilities and your brand—but it is by no means the only tool in your arsenal. Yes, most prospective employers will primarily focus on your book of work, but they also want to see how you handle more traditional touchpoints: your resume, cover letter, business card, and even social media. Remember, not everyone who reviews your portfolio will have design sensibilities; your overall presentation should include a range of components so you can tell your story to any audience in whatever language they’re accustomed to ...