IDIAMM

Feeling the come down after graduation and lost between recruitment companies, job searching and the waiting game?
1.Weekly zoom meetings with a couple of college course friends to touch base, discuss yr progress and get general moral support, ideas and maintain confidence. Get the mental and moral support you deserve (outside of your family circle).
2.Change things up. Create atleast 2 sample portfolios (8-12 pages max) with 1 that showcases your best skill sets i.e. visualiser / cad technician as well the 1 as a general all round designer. You may have that one drawing that sparks an interest from them in you. True story – I once was hired because I showed in my portfolio a set of “for construction” detailed drawings of a set of WCs…..not the casino project I designed and completed on site, not the commercial building interiors, not the “time & life” building reception I had refurbished…. A set of WCs. Nothing creative or dazzling about them, just very logistical, practical and detailed in everyway way taking into consideration other trades – a solid buildable design. Why did those drawings get me the job? Because they needed someone who knew how to do that kind of work to that level of attention, detail and practicality at that time. I showed them what they were missing in their setup. You never really know what people are looking for (sometimes neither do they!!)
3.Grow as a designer. If you think your education is over you are sadly mistaken. Continually learn new skills & knowledge from now until the day you retire (FYI true designers never stop designing!). Value engineering? Project management? Problem solving techniques? Presentation skills? Costings? New CAD programs? More advanced and detailed Documentation? For example do you really want to get into residential design? Read the residential building regulations to understand the restrictions better (then reference them in your interview when you discuss your house project!). See an opportunity to learn from more experienced designers? Take every opportunity you can!!
4.Practise practise practise. Can you talk about your final major project from concept to completion for 30 minutes. Have you got a couple of great SOARs to really help it floor and show your mentality. Can you answer every question someone could throw at you? If not why not? Know everything about it now to nail that interview…..To do that you will need to practise. Now is your preparation time before your big opportunity arrives so spend your time wisely!
5.Update update update. Add something new to your portfolio to show further development. Add some improved sketch details, add value engineering marked up plans, a new specification document , a door schedule and ironmongery schedule.
Show your growth and more importantly that extra level of realism and real world thinking because it might make all the difference. Potential employers like to self discipline, self motivation and road mapping!!!