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

15. Launch Your Job Search

Understanding trends, seeking opportunities, and creating a plan to find a job.

The design industry is a big field—it’s big business. When you’re launching a design career, especially in the beginning, the challenge of finding your niche in such a broad, diverse, and continuously evolving profession can be intimidating, even for the most talented and passionate designers. Rather than being overwhelmed at the endless possibilities and, out of fear and desperation, settling for the first job you’re offered (whether it’s one you want or not), you can prepare yourself by understanding the terrain in front of you and then focusing on where you really want to go: what industry do you want to work in? What type and size of ...