If you’re wondering how to apply for a graphic design job – then I promise you, this post is going to make a difference in your day.

Recently, I advertised an opening at Kish+Co for a mid-weight designer and we were flooded with applications.
Within a week, I had over 130 applications in my inbox.
Are you job hunting? Did you apply for the role?
Here are somethings you might have done which you could have done differently to apply for a graphic design job.

1. You didn’t say “Hi Kish”.

I want to know that you checked out our website and the team and got to know a little bit about me.
Not because I’m narcissistic – but because you don’t just want to work with anyone, you want to work with the right team.

2. You sent through a word document.

The advertisement was specific. It said no Microsoft Word documents. That said, most design studios don’t want a Word Document anyways.

3. You had applied to us before and you didn’t remember.

I don’t know about you – but I remember every folio I’ve seen. I don’t remember your name, but I remember visuals once I’ve seen them.
Just as much as you’d like me to remember you from a 100 applicants, I want you to remember our studio from 100 applicants.

4. You spat out a pdf and a resume. Just like you spat it out to every other agency advertising.

Sorry. That’s just not awesome enough.
I had some people who customised their resume letter to the T.
I got postal mail in a gift box.
I got a website with my name on it.
I AM comparing your application to other applications.

5. You were a photographer or a multimedia designer or an illustrator or a web developer.

Our core skill set is graphic design. We’re looking with someone to match.

6. You didn’t have an “About Me” section.

Read here about branding yourself. Why do I want to know you? Because in a lot of instances, you’ll be a face of Kish+Co. Do I care about that? Heck yes.

7. We are looking for a designer who can do corporate, quirky, boring, creative and wild work.

I judged folios based on their mix. A really smart candidate switched up his folio before his interview with us. I got to see even more work and I felt like he’d tailored his presentation to me.

8. You used a default font on your resume.

If you’re a designer, you’re anal. From start to finish.

9. Your design isn’t awesome.

No one is going to break this to you.
No one broke it to me.
Is it the course you did?
Is it the place you were working at?
Was it your client?
Are you lacking in experience?
Is it your eye?

I’ll tell you a few truths:

• no designer is 100% happy with their work
• we didn’t get the dream jobs at the start
• fake briefs make your folio look awesome – so just do it
• you’ll know – deep down inside – if you work isn’t quite there yet
• learn, learn, learn – I’m never quite there yet. No one is. Keep on doing everything you can to learn
• if you want a thorough portfolio feedback opportunity - an internship with Kish+Co guarantees one

10. You used too much Helvetica

I don’t know if it’s a personal thing, generally, I find if a person uses one font a lot through their work – then it’s likely that they’ve got a sticky style as well. Switch it up!

11. You applied after one week of the advertisement going live.

Ideally, we wanted to find a candidate within 2 weeks if possible.
Not everyone searches for talent in the same way – but this is how we did it. The people who applied on the first day had the most luck. It was a position we wanted to fill fast.

Did you make it to the interview stage? Congrats!
We only interviewed about 8 people from the 129 applications.
So your design must be awesome.

But why didn’t I get the job Kish?

1. A lot of companies use this phrase “you weren’t the right fit”. And often enough, it’s exactly that. It’s a lot like making friends – some people just click and others just don’t. That doesn’t make you bad, or us bad. It simply makes us a mismatch.

2. You were very, very nervous.
Sorry lovely – I don’t mind you being nervous with me – but you’ll need to speak to my clients and keep a cool exterior. This link will help.

3. The positioning spoke clearly about business development. In the years to come, being a graphic design isn’t going to be enough. You’ll need a complimentary skill. And in a small business, what better a skill than to help that business grow? Coming equipped with ideas and thoughts on Kish+Co was a must.

4. We asked people where they wanted to be in 5 years time. I was looking for someone who would say “Manager” / “Creative Director” / speaking at “Semi-Permanent” / “teaching at universities”. etc. We’re looking for dreamers. Because we want to get them to where they want to go.

To be honest, it’s an honour to know that so many people would want to work with us.
I was humbled and it gave me so much happiness and hope. There were so many awesome folios.
I hated sending out the rejection emails.
I hope we gave a little hope to everyone who applied – and this gives you a whole lot more.