Looking for a design job? Help the hunt.

It’s not especially easy to get a design or web job in the best of times, and these days, it’s even more of a challenge. But it’s not impossible to land a good spot. It simply requires a little extra planning and effort.

Here are some thoughts from SVC on how you can move to the front of the hiring line whether you’re a freelancer, an experienced designer, or someone just getting out of school.

Narrow the search
Make a spreadsheet (sorry!) with no more than 50 companies on it where you’d like to work based on what they do and what you could bring to their party. List their clients, their URL, people you know who work there,  and examples of their best work. Then put down as much as you can about them, and use this spreadsheet to track the times you make contact with them during your search.

Get LinkedIn
LinkedIn is like Facebook for the professional scene. You can use it to find out who you know at the companies where you’d like to work. And, if you don’t know anyone there, LinkedIn will show you if any of the people in your network have connections at your target companies so you can ask for an introduction. There are also jobs listed on LinkedIn that don’t show up any place else.

Be different
Of course you’ll have a great portfolio, but what else can you show prospective employers that would impress them with your knowledge and passion? Could you start writing a blog on The Best Designed iPhone Apps, for instance? The topic isn’t that important – but that you’ve gone to this extra trouble to make yourself an expert on something is. How about volunteering to organize a special function for AIGA? Think of something others aren’t doing, and then do it to differentiate yourself.

Learn marketing
Design is only partly about making things look good. It’s mostly about solving clients business problems using the tools of web sites, brochures, packaging and so forth. If you can’t stay in the ring when the discussion turns to branding, positioning, marketing, and so on, you’ll be at a distinct disadvantage. If there’s not time to take marketing classes before you graduate, sign up for workshops at places like the School of Visual Concepts.

Go beyond
The hot topics in design firms and ad agencies these days are mobile apps (like for iPhones), social media, and non-traditional advertising. You’ll give yourself a huge advantage if you have some things in your portfolio from these realms — Maybe a custom Twitter page design, a design for a Facebook or iPhone app, or some sort of guerilla tactic advertising idea, like an installation on the side of a building.

Brand yourself
Do something to make people remember your portfolio, resume, and business card. It sounds trite, but make everything the same color. Develop a symbol or logotype and use it on everything you do. It’s just like the work you’d do for a professional client – you’ve got to give people a relevant reason to notice and remember what you’re putting in front of them.