Let's face it, this isn't the kind of career path where you can just pop down the local job centre and apply for a few vacancies. It seems like unravelling a puzzle, the agencies are all hush hush and you're left thinking "How do I find that job and where are they all advertising"? After searching around you find some jobs websites which list roles in all manner of places (Information Technology/Computing??). Then you apply and one of four things happen:

 

1 - Nothing actually happens.

2 - You get a generic email off a recruitment agent saying there 'were so many applicants and some which more closely fit the criteria than you. On this occasion you have been unsuccessful. Although as a consolation prize (and to not totally crush your bruised self-esteem) we will announce that we will keep your record on file.'

3 - You get a telephone call off a recruitment agent, saying you're perfect and just needs to forward your cv to the company. Then nothing happens.

4 - You find a rare job actually advertised by the company and not a recruitment agency. You send your cv and call them only to find that there 'So many applicants, you just wouldn't believe how many we had to get through. On this occasion you have been unsuccessful. Although as a consolation prize (and to not totally crush your bruised self-esteem) we will announce that we will keep your record on file.'

 

And it's not like I'm new to this game of trying to get my foot in the door. I have over 5 years Agency experience under my belt (some of it abroad), and another 5 years before that studying to get my Degree. I dread to think how beginners in the field deal with it. When the interviews don't come, even Web Designers with solid skills and experience begin to doubt their ability...

Being in the middle of a recession doesn't help

 

Way back when the last big recession happened in the early 1980's it was a lot lot worse than this time. Right now, believe it or not, there are still lots of jobs available. In the the 80's even Job centres didn't have anything, literally, and you'd get 5000 people apply for that illusive toilet attendant vacancy!

 

It's a case of riding out the storm at the moment, if you need an income you need to apply for any job. When things improve you should see the "better" jobs starting to appear again.

I find that leaving my CV and portfolio with web design company within 20 or so miles is a good thing.

I'd say get clued up on some good design agencies near you (there are quite a few good ones here in Manchester), make a note of their websites and occasionally check to see if they have any new job openings available, then just Email them directly.

 

Alternatively, you could try designer specific job boards located on sites such as how-do.co.uk or creativereview.co.uk

Good input everyone, and I might start checking out these Manchester based agencies. Thanks!

I'm a bit up the road from you JMC there's not a lot up the m6 once you get past Preston

 

Unemployed recovering from illness, nowt to do but keep on raising my skill level, applying around, I'm not imo good enough yet to go freelance, once I am I'll look at it

I've managed to gain quite alot of work through Elance which has seen me through some tight times.

Try that. Seriously. You basically place bids for work - its alot like Ebay. So to begin with you have to seriously underbid the competition and build your Elance portfolio online. But you eventually gain a reputation and can start to bid for some of the larger jobs.

I've managed to gain quite alot of work through Elance which has seen me through some tight times.

Try that. Seriously. You basically place bids for work - its alot like Ebay. So to begin with you have to seriously underbid the competition and build your Elance portfolio online. But you eventually gain a reputation and can start to bid for some of the larger jobs.

 

 

I've registered with elance today, it involves a $10 registration fee I'm having trouble adding skills to my profile