The recession is still a probably for many, not just in the United States but abroad as well. The economy has hurt people from many different fields, and the Graphic and Web Design fields are no exception. The job crisis is very scary, but embracing fear isn’t the answer, finding solutions is, and as a Graphic Designer living in the recension I have some interesting advice that will help you through it.

Staying Employed.

The easiest way to not be hurt by the current job crisis is to hold on to your current job as long as possible. The conditions may not be great, and you may be under a great deal of stress. However the stress of not being able to find a job and support yourself and your family will be considerably worse.

If you want to remain employed try changing your work and performance habits. Meet deadlines and turn in work early as much as humanly possible.

Come into work a few minutes early to get ahead on your work, and even stay an extra fifteen minutes to a half hour.

Yes, we all complain about wanting to come in and leave on time if you’re not getting overtime, but giving up a half hour to forty five minutes everyday could be make all the difference when your employers are trying to decide who gets to keep their job.

Try demonstrating your value and loyalty be volunteering to help others whenever possible, cheer up your department one morning by springing for donuts or coffee. Doing your part to boost the morale of your co-workers is part of what it means to be a team player.

Don’t be afraid to suggest new clients to your employer or tell them about any possible business leads, costing cutting measures, or free services your company can take advantage of. Showing you have the company’s interest and success in your thoughts, will keep you in your employers good graces.

Don’t Be Overly Secure

Things happen. Sometimes they have nothing to do with what we deserve, or even what we’ve done. Despite your own hard work, its possible your department or even the entire company is not working up to its full potential. As a result you may find yourself unemployed through no fault of your own.

Stay sharp and always be aware of potential and available jobs in your work field every single month. Keep an eye out for any freelance work you may be able to handle. Invest in any new equipment you’ve been putting off buying, that way if things get tight down the road you can still work to the best of your ability.

Padding that Resume.

Even if you are still employed, you should be looking for ways to pad your resume in the event that you lose your job (for one reason or another). Look for opportunities to volunteer, and work with charities. These things will help you make your resume diverse and impressive. It will also give you opportunities to meet new contacts that will help you down the road, give you more references, testimonials, recognition and possible employment down the road.

Other ways you can pad your resume is by competing in design competitions (and hopefully winning). You should also be submitting you work for publication. Also don’t be afraid to take internships, paid or not these will be valuable experiences and give you people who can vouch for you work, your work ethic, and personality.

Turn Your Hobby Into A Side Job

If you have an interest in photography, and you have a Digital SLR like a Nikon, Cannon, or Olympus, then you should see if you can turn your hobby into cash. Offer to take wedding or reception photos for friends or family as long as they pay you something reasonable. Offer to take some cheap or even free portfolio shots of someone you know who wants to break into modeling or acting.

Offer to take shots of models for free as long as you can use them as stock photography and sell them online through sites like istockphoto.com

If you’re an illustrator, ask your friends and family or even random strangers if they’d be interested in commissioning you to do a piece of artwork for you. Also look around a local businesses that feature artwork in their building, like dentist offices, or doctors offices, see if they would be interested in having some custom artwork commissioned.

Create and Sell Your Own Products Online.

While you’re searching for that next job, or if you’re currently unemployed, don’t use the fact you don’t have a job as an excuse to stop working! Keeping pounding away at Photoshop and your other programs and develop some products you can sell for extra money online. Whether its designing Graphic Tees and selling them on a site like Zazzle.com or selling design products like website templates, flash animation, layouts, or banners, through sites like Graphic River or Theme Forest.

Build Your Reputation With A Blog

I am personally of the opinion that everyone has a unique skill, ability, or area of expertise to offer, and to that end I suggest that EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A BLOG!

Having a blog allows you to not only demonstrate your abilities, but your knowledge and how current you are in your profession and industry and that you take it seriously. More importantly if you are in the design or advertising industry or web design, how popular you manage to make your blog is the best way to show your value.

If you people can find you are articles you’ve written, and your accomplishments on the first page of Google, that goes a long way to establishing your creditability and legitimacy. This can show value in terms of your ability to use social media marketing, search engine optimization, your abilities is in copy writing, your understanding of user experience and interaction, or even your web and graphic design skills.

If you’re blog is particularly successful it can also become a form of passive income through various advertising programs and affiliate marketing. Again I must also stress the fact, that a blog/website will allow you to be seen, and more importantly FOUND. Future employers will be able get a real feel for your personality as well as your work through your blog, and will also see how well received you are by others.

Freelancing

If you’re going to freelance make sure you’ve done all your prep work. Get all the legal documents you need for contracts. Make sure you’ve gotten your business cards, flyers, resume and portfolio in order, as well as a basic web site. Sign up for sites like FreelanceSwitch.com to find freelance job opportunities.

Continue To Develop Work For Your Portfolio

I can’t stress this enough. You should always be developing your portfolio and resume whether you are employed or not, simply because you never know what circumstances will come your way. I recommend updating both ever quarter (every three months).

If you are a graphic designer you should do some of your own creative work, but you should also be filling your portfolio with Spec Ads, using recognized products and brands, particularly if you want to work for an Ad Agency. As a web designer you should design custom word press themes, “fan sites”, and you should also make sure demonstrate your ability to create mobile websites. Illustrators should demonstrate a range of styles and the ability to work in both digital and traditional media. If you’re a photographer demonstrating versatility, flawless execution and range of subjects and experience is going to be key.

Try submitting your portfolio to various Art Directors, Publishers, and other professionals requesting a review. You could anything from valuable advice to a job offer as a result.

Develop New Skills

There are a number of new skills that are highly sought after in today’s marketplace. More and more the need for custom designs for content management systems and template engines is increasing. As is need the for Mobile App Developers, Actionscript Programers, Flash Animators, 3D Designers, and Motion Graphic Designers.

The more you expand your skill set and number of applications you’re comfortable with, the more opportunities you will have, and the more you will be worth.

If you are more comfortable with code, try expanding your visual design skills, if you are more of designer, try picking up the basics of web design. There are plenty of websites and books to help you with both.

Education

Don’t underestimate or overestimate the value of your education. This may seem like a confusing message but it is the truth. There is in this particular field a mixed view. You have some companies and employers that will be sticklers and will dismiss you out of hand if you don’t have a degree or at least one from a reputable school. On the other hand, many recent graduates are finding that employers have shifted their view to valuing direct experience over education.

Its a very hard call to make as to whether 4 years of schooling and theoretical experience and formal training can compete with 4 years of experience, client references and testimonials even at a low tier. This call is tough both for the potential employee as well as the employer.

My suggestion is that if you’re currently in design school, start a blog, start building yourself as a brand and take on freelance and charity projects as much as possible. This will give you an advantage as you will have your degree as well as a wealth of commercial experience and clients, and a portfolio that is primarily commercial work rather than student work. This will set you apart in an interview.

If you are currently not in school and cannot either afford it, or afford to make the time, then at least take some courses part time to demonstrate that you have some formal education, and attempt to take as many certifications as possible. If at all possible train to take the Adobe Certification program for any Adobe product in which you think you have mastery. Take it until you pass it, and you will be in a rare an elite percentage of individuals in your field.

Nobody in our industry disputes the value or the difficulty involved in achieving Adobe Certfied status. Also make sure that most of the work in your portfolio is either client work or work that has been published, in addition make sure you only include your strongest pieces.

Conclusions

Focus constantly on increasing your value and demonstrating it.Be visible wherever and whenever possible. Put yourself out there!
Accumulate as many references, contacts, supporters as possible.
Be aware of industry trends and standards and stay current.
Don’t become comfortable always have the ability, and confidence to get a new job.
Always look for ways to supplement your income.Always look for ways to improve your resume.
Improve your chances by seeking higher education and certifications.