Some advice for getting hired. When I'm not running Chomp, I do illustration and design for various brands. Last year I worked for IHOP, Uber, and Porsche.
Lately, I've met a lot of creatives who are hard out for work — both freelancers and full-timers. Here are some best practices for getting hired right now:
Your portfolio is the sales tool. Get it in front of as many people as possible. Social media is an inefficient means of self-promotion. It's a billboard on a dusty road. Social media builds cache. It won't get you paid today.
Word of mouth will get you the interview, but your portfolio gets you hired. Have a mentor review your work to get it looking polished.
Everyone's busy — don't be offended by that. When looking for a gig, you'll likely only hear back from 5% of companies hiring. Don't take it personally.
Be succinct in your correspondence. Save your personal stories and anecdotes for when you're in the meeting. No one will read a long exposition about how passionate you are about design.
Make the work you want to share. Fill in the gaps in your portfolio to showcase your skill set. You won't get hired to make logos if you haven't made logos!
Hirers are looking for two simple things: do you understand how to use design software efficiently, and do you have good taste? Many creatives are limited by their skill set — don't be that guy.
Network, network, network. You need to meet people, especially in real life. Get face time with actual creatives. Attend a creative meetup or event.
Applying for a job on LinkedIn is like tossing a penny in a wishing well. Instead, go directly to who would hire you. That's brand managers, design managers, design directors, and art directors. Send 100 cold emails to these individuals at agencies and brands near you.
Don't act like a maniac on the internet. Recruiters and HR people will likely scan your social media to see what you're like. If you're disagreeable or mean, they'll move on. Be yourself — but a less crazy version.