GUIDES
If you’re trying to land a creative job for the first time, your mind might be racing with questions like, “How important is having a portfolio?”, “Do I need a degree relevant to this job to be considered?” or “Is it okay that I don’t have tons of professional experience in this kind of role??”
While each employer will weigh individual parts of your application differently, we wanted to offer our perspective on how to shoot your best shot.
There’s definitely information overload when it comes to job advice on the Internet, and we totally get that it can feel overwhelming. All the “don’t do this, don’t do that,” and you’re getting whiplash trying to craft the “perfect” application 😵💫. Trust us, the LAST thing we want to do is add noise to an already stressful topic of conversation!
Rather than enabling any narrative that you’re not enough for a job (your employment does not define your worth, btw!), we want to approach this matter by centering a growth mindset. As you read our insights below, remember that ALL skills are transferable, and anything still WIP is an opportunity to further hone in on your goals!
So without further ado, let’s address 5 commonly asked questions about landing a creative job:
➀ How important is having a portfolio?
➁ How important is real work experience?
➂ How important is getting a degree?
➃ Does networking actually make a difference in my job search?
➄ What can I do to stand out from the crowd?
➀ How important is having a portfolio?
A portfolio is usually pretty crucial for landing any kind of creative job, but it doesn’t have to be a fancy website! Feel free to be creative with how you present your work. Maybe it’s a PDF of a slide deck, personal blog, social media page, or printed book. Choose an option that feels achievable for you in the present moment! Your portfolio is a living, breathing representation of your talents that can (and should) be periodically updated, so don’t feel like it has to be “perfect.” After all, we creatives grow through iterations!
"It is all about your portfolio and how you tell your story when it comes to design. Creative hiring is very different from traditional roles across businesses because they lead with portfolios over resumes. While background experience is important, if you are able to showcase your talent and a variety of work in your book, you will immediately stand out. Further, speaking to your experience and telling the story of how and why you have a ‘vision’ will give you a leg up.”
— Tyler Divalerio
Creative Talent Manager at Creative People
Read more recruiter insights from our Graphic Designer Job Directory. It’s free!
And if you don’t have a portfolio yet, don’t sweat it! Take some time to gather a few projects, including personal ones, that showcase the skills and style you’d like to be hired for. Create speculative work for dream clients, develop campaigns for imaginary brands, or design creative solutions for your personal needs and interests!
On the other hand, if you’ve worked on a lot of projects, it might be tempting to add all of them to your portfolio. Before you decide to include a project, make sure you ask yourself: Does it align with the work I want to be hired for in the future? Am I proud of this project? Quality trumps quantity when you’re building an intentional portfolio—Check out our Instagram post on this!
The bottom line is that your portfolio really shines when it embodies the work you hope to attract, so it’s especially critical if the career you’re pursuing is visually driven. If you find yourself needing guidance, feedback, or structure in building your design portfolio (we know how hard it can be to start from scratch), consider taking our Graphic Design Course. All students graduate from the course with a portfolio approved by our instructors from our design agency, ilovecreatives Studio.
We also know that sometimes folks can have a rich body of work and just need support in building a platform for showcasing their creations and services. If this sounds like you, we have Squarespace portfolio templates designed by Studio that can be easily customized to suit your expertise.
➁ How important is real work experience?
Having previous creative work experience is important but not critical for all entry-level creative positions. Of course, you should keep in mind the level of the role you’re applying to and be realistic about the work you know you can deliver. At the end of the day, if you have talent, vision, and eagerness to learn, many employers and clients will see your potential and take a chance on you!
If you have zero creative experience, consider helping out a friend or family member for free. Maybe your aunt needs help setting up an Instagram account to promote her local restaurant, or maybe your friend needs support creating graphics for her upcoming bake sale! As we mentioned speculative work above for building a portfolio—even if spec work is “fake,” the way you show your creative process from concept to execution is very real and super valuable to see for hiring managers and recruiters. Here are some examples of spec work from our Graphic Design Course students below:
Tune into your community and look into opportunities to practice your creative skills. These experiences will help you tell a compelling story about your interests and initiative when applying for jobs!
➂ How important is getting a degree?
Luckily, there are loads of ways to educate yourself and gain experience in your field outside of attaining a degree relevant to your desired career path. Some of the most talented creatives you know are self-taught and don’t come from a traditional background or formal training for their type of role. Others seek alternative forms of education through certifications, online courses, or boot camps that are more geared towards giving you practical prep for working in the creative industry. Although not having a degree could pose a barrier for some jobs, creative hiring typically places more emphasis on your portfolio and experiences.
Side note: If you’re pivoting into a specific creative career path and need some support in learning the technical skills and how to set up your freelance business, we might have just the course for you to kick-off your journey. Check out our Course Directory to see our offerings.
Images for Summary Blocks
Social Media Manager Course
Digital Marketing Course
Graphic Design Course
Squarespace Design Course
Shopify Course
Video Creator Course with That's Chic
3D Blender Course
Creative Copywriter Course
Fashion Intern Course with KkCo
Photography Course
Lifestyle Business Course
➃ Does networking actually make a difference in my job search?
100% yes. So many creatives find job openings through the connections they’ve fostered over time! The nature of the creative industry is highly collaborative, so it’s important to make an effort to build meaningful connections, be it online or in person. Oftentimes, these relationships can lead to work opportunities if your vision and background are aligned with what your connections are looking for.
If you’re not already in circles based on common career interests, it’s never too late to start! There are so many ways to build your network and connect with folks, and it doesn’t have to be super formal.
For example, you could engage with people’s work on Instagram or join career groups on LinkedIn. If you’re hoping to meet people in person, you can attend a conference or workshop in your area. You might also find cool people to talk to in communities like hobby-related spaces, book clubs, or intramural sports (creatives are everywhereee). As long as you put yourself out there and are open to sharing your story, you’re bound to spark new relationships!
For those in school, don’t forget to take advantage of your alumni network—ask folks in creative careers for virtual coffee chats about their professional journey, and maybe ask them for feedback on your portfolio.
Who knows? Maybe they’re hiring an intern for the summer, and internships are huge opportunities to build relevant experience and relationships.
Lastly, don’t forget that gaining exposure and increasing visibility online can be pivotal for freelancers—we started Creative Profiles for this reason! Our community members with profiles in our directory consistently share that this online presence attracts interested clients, new friends, and career-changing collaborations.
If you’re interested in setting up a Creative Profile, you can apply here!
“It's so fun to be able to connect with different creatives based on industry and location, and several clients of mine have found me through the site. It's the perfect way to attract the kind of people you want to work with.”
— Michelle McSwain
Photographer
➄ What can I do to stand out from the crowd?
Lean into who you are at the core. What shapes your passion for creating? How do your personal background, identity, and interests inform your approach to your craft? What’s your story, and why do you want this job to be a part of your next chapter? Marinate in these guiding questions, and be sure to make your story clear in your application materials and interview. It’s easy to feel imposter syndrome when you notice all the talented creatives around us, but the world wants a taste of your vision too (we are so sure of it!).
We recently featured junior creatives, many of whom are currently navigating major transitions into the professional world. We absolutely loved what they had to share on standing out! Take what resonates:
“Embrace the fact that there's always room to grow, and with every new thing you learn, you won't be an expert right away. Networking? Yep, it's crucial, but don't forget to sprinkle in your unique charm—people will remember that better!... But amidst it all, never lose sight of your authentic voice and vision—it's your ticket to standing out in the bustling world of design!”
— Hei Kuok
Animator & Motion Designer
“Your first big client is yourself! Creatives use their skills to problem-solve for others, but we often forget to do that internal branding work for ourselves. What are your values? Who do you want to work with? What part of your craft do you most enjoy and would like to do more of? It makes handling the creative imposter syndrome a little easier because you’ll start to work in your own unique expertise.”
— Jenny Scott
Brand & Product Designer
Wherever you are in the job search, we know it can be a tough, energy-consuming process. Take care of yourself! Stay hydrated, go on a walk, take a nap, whatever you need to stay grounded. We believe in you, friend! You got this.
Did you know that ilovecreatives shares job opportunities? If you’re looking for a fresh set of job listings specifically for creatives, head on over to our Job Board, which is updated by our team every week. You can also get these jobs straight into your inbox every Wednesday if you subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
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