It’s a Jungle Out There
In today’s economy it can be difficult to land a job but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get the job. The “trick” is to be persistent and have a positive attitude while going on your job hunts.

In this final installment of this series of How to Get Noticed When Applying for Graphic Design Jobs we’ll go into the real nuts and bolts of what it takes to remain focused and determined while looking for a job.

Patience and You
There’s a story of a man who had very little patience with others and inconvenient situations. He realized his predicament and decided to ask God for some help. He prayed, “God, help me to be more patient.”

During the next several days he found himself in traffic jams, delayed airplane schedules, and long lines at the supermarket. He complained to God and said, “I asked for patience and there has been nothing but problems since I asked you for help.” God chuckled and said, “Well, you learned how to deal with traffic jams, late airplane schedules, and long lines. You’ve become a better person and I think your prayers have been answered….”

Job hunting can be frustrating and somewhat discouraging at times but just like the man in the story, a good deal of patience is necessary to deal with adversity and delays.

If you are flustered and negative about how your job search is going you’ll reflect this attitude and mood during your job interviews. Your interviewer will pick up on this and wonder why you are so bothered and will take note of this in the final analysis of you.

Things may get frustrating during your job search, but try to let off some steam before you go job hunting.

Social Networking and You
Never underestimate the power of networking with others. If you are attending graphic design school this is a very crucial time for you to develop contacts in the graphic design industry. Your teachers, the people from the internship you are working at and friends that are already in the industry may be the link for inside information about job opportunities.

If you are already a graphic designer and are seeking new career opportunities, the clients you work with and your fellow co-workers are a good source for job leads. In some cases those company “meet and greet” events are not just about showing your loyalty to the company–they can also be very crucial occasions for you to make important contacts for future use.

Persistence and You
When Thomas Edison was in the process of inventing the light bulb his main obstacle was finding a suitable filament that would burn brightly and not burn out quickly. He tried 1,500 different materials–all of them failures until he happened upon the element tungsten. This metal was exactly what he was looking for in order to make his invention work.

When Edison was asked about all the failures that he experienced while doing research on his inventions he replied, “I haven’t failed, I’ve found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”

Now that’s persistence…and wisdom.

Job hunting can be a very stressful situation. You are faced with uncertainty, doubt, and frustration. But if we may rephrase Thomas Edison’s quote, “I haven’t failed at getting a graphic design job, I’ve found several jobs where I don’t want to work.”

Job Hunting: The Journey and the Process
The job interview is the device that employers use to sift through various applicants in order to select the right person for the job.

You may have been to dozens of job interviews and the whole process may have worn you down around the edges, but it is imperative to always show up to your interviews fresh and expectant.

When you don’t land the job you want, try to turn this into a positive and see it as a momentary delay in finding the right job. Job hunting is a process and if you understand this, you’ll be better adapted to take on the pressures that go along with looking for a job.