Web Designers With No Online Presence: I Won’t Call You.
OK folks…I’m going to vent a little and hopefully help you out in the process.
I cannot tell you how many times I run across profiles of “Amazing Web Developers” or “Web Design Rockstars” who have not a lick of online presence.
My response? “Oh…REALLY”???
So here are a few tips that I would like to share if you are a Web Designer or a Web Developer in search of a new job:
- Have a website.
- Have a good website.
- If you have portfolio goodness: Put it on your website.
- If your prior work products are under an NDA: Make up new stuff.
- If you are a usability or interface architect / engineer: Link to the sites you worked on and describe what you did.
- If you are a Web Developer, I really don’t want to see a static HTML website.
- Put your resume’ somewhere on the website.
- Make sure I can FIND your website.
Bottom line: Show me.
You know that a future employer will ASK for portfolio items. You know they will ASK for work product…why make it harder on yourself?
So please…put yourself out there, make it visible. Make me want to CALL YOU.
Do it for the children.
Jen
Please contact us if you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way.
Tags: architect, Design, Develop, Developer, engineer, job, jobs, online, portfolio, resume, UI, User Experience, User Interface, Web, Web Design, Web Developer, website
July 8th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I had an opportunity to spend a week learning from a photographer who did this very thing. I didn’t know if I’d like him or what he could teach since I could not find any of his work online. His name is quite unique, and his website was “under construction”.
The week was not at all what I had hoped for. I could have saved myself from the wasted time if I’d just been able to see his work beforehand.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
As a person who has hired more than a few web designers, programmers, developers, etc, etc…I can say you are 100% correct. When I get a resume I will try to find work done by the applicant, if none is found - strike one. If they don’t bring me something to the interview - strike two. If I ask for it and they shuffle their feet and avert their eyes because they have nothing to show - strike three.
Congratulations, you have just wasted both of our time and assured you will not be working for me.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Agreed! For many folks who design websites, some come from a Computer Science or other technical background. When these people were in school, they watched the art students carry around and maintain portfolios of their work. The portfolio *was* the resume. For us science/engineering students, we didn’t have to worry about that because we were too busy crunching code and solving equations. Well, even if you’re an engineer by degree, as a web designer you are closer to an artist, so the portfolio comes into play. Good job with the reminder, Jen!
July 8th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
That is the same as if I went to an office job for a job and did not bring a resume, show how fast and accurate I can type, etc. I really do not understand why a supposed “rockstar” would not know these things.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Hey now, the good developers need all the edge they can get in these tough economic times (drink). Don’t give away all the secrets.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
My portfolio is in dos.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Stephen,
Now if it was in Cobol or Basic…maybe
July 21st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I like this theme you are using… what is it?
July 21st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hi Resume Writing Company…It’s a custom theme. My business partner built it.
Jen