Where to find a creative services job in DC (or maybe elsewhere)?
September 4, 2010 1:06 PM Subscribe
Where to find an in-house graphics job in DC or Baltimore?
I'm new to DC/Baltimore and looking for a job. (Ugh.) I'd like to get some kind of in-house design or graphics position--preferably for a non-profit, a research institution, or a start-up, but I'm willing to search broadly. (No defense contractors, though!) Design agencies are also ok, of course.
But where do I look? Tons of places must use in-house creative people, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm aware of indeed.com, washingtonpost.com/jobs, AIGA, idealist.org and usajobs.gov, but what else? Any suggestions of job sites, industry boards, mailing lists, and especially individual companies are quite welcome.
My skills: I'm an illustrator who sometimes does design-like things on the fly (like designing posters or hand-drawing type). I know Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. I can hand-code html. I also have a few years of professional writing and editing experience--especially writing reports, and writing and editing copy.
Throwaway email: illustrator.in.dc@gmail.com
Thanks!
I'm new to DC/Baltimore and looking for a job. (Ugh.) I'd like to get some kind of in-house design or graphics position--preferably for a non-profit, a research institution, or a start-up, but I'm willing to search broadly. (No defense contractors, though!) Design agencies are also ok, of course.
But where do I look? Tons of places must use in-house creative people, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm aware of indeed.com, washingtonpost.com/jobs, AIGA, idealist.org and usajobs.gov, but what else? Any suggestions of job sites, industry boards, mailing lists, and especially individual companies are quite welcome.
My skills: I'm an illustrator who sometimes does design-like things on the fly (like designing posters or hand-drawing type). I know Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. I can hand-code html. I also have a few years of professional writing and editing experience--especially writing reports, and writing and editing copy.
Throwaway email: illustrator.in.dc@gmail.com
Thanks!
The good news is there are a lot of jobs like that around the area. You didn't mention pay range, and if you're used to NYC rates (or quality of work) you're in for a shock. But otherwise this is not an impossible task, even in this recession.
In fact, the determining factors should be if you LIKE the people or the organization's mission (because that will create a natural social circle and path of advancement) and whether you get to do high quality work which builds a portfolio for future jobs. I would also pay attention to location because commuting is a bear in DC-- you're going to get VERY tired very quickly of an hour each way to Baltimore<>DC (or even, say, Takoma <> Tyson's Corner).
I would keep an eye out at all those usual online places doing the usual searches, but ALSO search by software name.
As far as lesser-known online sources, try www.case.org/career_central.html, commarts.com, http://www.adcmw.org/jobs/positions.html. Also, google temp agencies.
Usajobs.gov is fine if you have time to put up with lots of hoop-jumping-- the federal hiring path is brutally disorganized (if there's a specific agency you feel affinity towards, search specifically there).
Similarly, as you discover orgamizations/institutions you care for, look at their specific sites and figure out who you could cold-call and ask for an informational interview with.
Finally, understand that it's an incredibly transient area and everyone was a newcomer once; networking is easier here because of that. Ask everyone you see if they know of anything and even about their own newcomer stories (You'll learn tons).
(And, in general, because of the transience, cold-calling for actual jobs at design firms, nonprofits, etc., isn't the worst way to go if you have the fortitude/charm for it.)
posted by jouster at 6:16 AM on September 5, 2010
In fact, the determining factors should be if you LIKE the people or the organization's mission (because that will create a natural social circle and path of advancement) and whether you get to do high quality work which builds a portfolio for future jobs. I would also pay attention to location because commuting is a bear in DC-- you're going to get VERY tired very quickly of an hour each way to Baltimore<>DC (or even, say, Takoma <> Tyson's Corner).
I would keep an eye out at all those usual online places doing the usual searches, but ALSO search by software name.
As far as lesser-known online sources, try www.case.org/career_central.html, commarts.com, http://www.adcmw.org/jobs/positions.html. Also, google temp agencies.
Usajobs.gov is fine if you have time to put up with lots of hoop-jumping-- the federal hiring path is brutally disorganized (if there's a specific agency you feel affinity towards, search specifically there).
Similarly, as you discover orgamizations/institutions you care for, look at their specific sites and figure out who you could cold-call and ask for an informational interview with.
Finally, understand that it's an incredibly transient area and everyone was a newcomer once; networking is easier here because of that. Ask everyone you see if they know of anything and even about their own newcomer stories (You'll learn tons).
(And, in general, because of the transience, cold-calling for actual jobs at design firms, nonprofits, etc., isn't the worst way to go if you have the fortitude/charm for it.)
posted by jouster at 6:16 AM on September 5, 2010
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But I think networking, via people you know already, college career office, etc. works better than answering ads on the internet.
Do you have a website or blog to showcase your work? Are you willing to do freelance projects? I think lot of work is subcontracted out, rather than having inhouse people--I've worked on a lot of projects, as a photo researcher/editor, and other than SI or National Geo, most of the design team were freelancers.
posted by Ideefixe at 3:53 PM on September 4, 2010