Your Job Doesn't Care About You - Career Advice for Graphic Designers [Rant]

[@rachelbarth1271]

👏👏👏 yep to everything you said. Been there. Nobody cares about you but YOU, so take charge of your career. Great advice.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Yes! Thank you!

[@bluebird4483]

yup! good vid

[@katymurta]

I was a designer with my company for almost 20 years and was laid off with 2400 others last fall. So I feel your friend's pain! I am learning to be flexible and it took being laid off before I re-did my website, etc. I am still doing new work and updating--it's never ending--but hey, when I was employed FT, I neglected this part of my creative life. If I could do it again--I would have worked harder on my personal work, kept my resume and website updated and be less afraid of taking chances. I actually had a job offer years ago and said no....because I was afraid of change. I got complacent being at my previous company. I am much more fearless now. As to HR, boy, are you correct! And to ageism?? Oh man, no kidding! I have experienced SO much ageism, it's crazy. It's part of the reason why I am freelancing/contracting, versus being a full-time employee. No one cares how old I am...they only care if I deliver. And networking is SO important. I am lucky that I have a great network. Great, great video Phil! You are so inspiring.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Hey Katy, just sent you a DM on LI to say hi...I appreciate you sharing your story. The point you made about keeping things up to date is SOOOO important, but I understand the challenge of doing it when you are a FT employee, it's enough just trying to keep up with ones work on the job! As I mentioned, I basically completely ignored mine, until I made the jump to solo...which was precipitated by a major burnout and a reexamining of my life priorities. I'm so glad I did it when I did, but I could have been better prepared.

[@ZD8604]

Attend your local AIGA chapter's monthly meetings. The networking opportunity is great in making connections, building relationships and potentially finding a new gig. That's what my professor recommended I do. While it did take 3+ years and the support of family during that time, I eventually got my chance that led to my current job as an inhouse designer for the last six years.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Fantastic - good for you! Congrats! And thanks for sharing your journey - it's gonna help people.

[@kamin76]

A important (and timely) reality check from Phil. I can certainly vouch for so much of what's been covered in his rant, particularly personal branding (that all-important side gig) and, networking. On the latter, the relationships I built with people through the course of my career thus far, have certainly counted far more in generating opportunities for personal and professional growth, so going that extra mile to invest in them in every way you can, WILL pay off. Thanks so much Phil.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Of course, you've heard me rant like this before!...LOL, but you're so right about networking relationships. They are the wellspring from which all future jobs will come.

[@mrajjdas]

This was super super helpful! Thank you!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I'm so glad!

[@pro.rimini]

Very useful advise, thank you very much, this mindset needs some time to arrive, and the more you go the more you understand you shouldn't be dependent completely on your company when it comes to skills shift and your income.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You are the ONLY one with your best interest at heart.

[@superfirefly31]

Hi Philip! Love the Content! Question - Do you think your note on ageism works both ways? The Why - I graduated 2020 during Covid from a small college but I always work and always hustle to try to over deliver in addition to base client requests. Often when people find out my age as a Graphic Designer or Graphic Artist they assume I don’t know anything without knowing how I got to my position. Including print, digital, identity, art production and illustration design. Love all your content and podcasting! - I’m a big advocate for people to Listen to you, Chris Do and even the Angry Designer to sharpen skills and continue to learn. Just not in a the position yet to join a Pro Group like yours. Hope to hear from you or your team Thank you!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Hey, thanks so much! Yes, “reverse ageism” is a thing. At the beginning of your career it’s tough to represent yourself, and have yourself perceived in the way that you want - sadly you just have to wait it out until you have 3 to 5 years of experience, and people start to have confidence that you know some stuff.

[@davidb208]

Super helpful! Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences! 🎉🎉👏

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You're welcome David!

[@ChritsianBucic]

Thanks Philip! Always good advice!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Hey @ChritsianBucic! Thanks so much for checking out my video! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Keep tuning in!

[@C4cruz]

Thank you very much Phillip for the advice.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You rock @C4cruz! Happy to do it.

[@anajavieranae]

Thanks for this!

[@jammanjim6914]

At 47 it's taken being put through the wringer a few times to realise this. I've been with the same firm 10 years now and yes the new managers always prefer their own hires. I've been advised within the firm that I should move on if I want career progression even though I'm heavily relied upon for my experience. Other jobs out there don't have the same security or benefits I've built up. You are spot on about HR, never thought I'd need them if I worked hard and consistently. They work for the company and not you. My wife doesn't see the layoff coming and why I'd want to work late for something that might never happen. Design has always been this way for me, I've always secured my next job off the work done after hours unfortunately. At 47, I've already seen most of my peers falling out of the design industry. Thank you Philip for all your content and insightfulness.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You rock @jammanjim6914! I'm glad it was helpful. I really really get where you are coming from. Starting doing the ground work to build an independent presence and network while you are still employed. If you have the resources, joining Bonfire, my mastermind community would be a very smart move for you for where you are now - and in order to get you prepared for the future. Best of luck...and connect with me on LinkedIn and reference this comment.

[@broadwaykiry]

I remember getting my first and currently last opportunity to work as a graphic designer for someone nd when they went over that contract before signing that shit felt like a set up lmao. Like how am I not able to freelance or do any graphic work for 12mo+ if things don’t work out between us? I’ve been terrified to work for anyone since 😂

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Sign it and ignore it. Those sorts of contracts are very hard to enforce - and are just boiler-plate for many companies at this point. But, yeah, they are scary when you actually read them!

[@JoycelynnRenee100]

Thank you for this!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@musondao]

Am 49 and almost 4 years ago I had to enroll in mass communication and it was a good decision

[@PhilipVanDusen]

@musondao, Thanks so much!

[@jarmelo2006]

The man speaks the truth.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I try!...

[@timmelis4872]

External recruiters are not your friends... They see you as another resource to make there customers happy and make money ...

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I found that out the hard way early in my career when I entrusted some very confidential personnel info to a HR person and they shared it with that person - causing a real sh*t storm of retribution and bad blood. Not fun and never again.

[@dvoob]

I don't know if companies are ageist as much as they're reliant on extracting labor from young people without paying them a fair salary. Older folks generally figure out what their work is actually worth and demand a higher salary.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Higher salaries, come with career progression, elevated experience and capabilities (people management, business development, strategy, etc) and higher titles. Like in any industry, those with the highest salaries are the first on the chopping block when things get tight.

[@robertslaglestudio]

I recommend to all younger designers/creatives not to go into this field full-time. Do it as like you’ve said as your own brand or side gig. keep building it over the years. Find another full time career. Civil Service would be a good idea. Pro creatives are their own worst enemy. Too many egos. Bad leadership and managers. I speak from over 40 years experience.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I respectfully disagree Robert... although you do have 5 more years experience than I do. 😉 I still feel like it is a viable career and know many, many creative professionals who are experiencing profitable roles - and seeing career growth and expansion.

[@theragingdolphinsmaniac4696]

I found out all this the hard way. So what do you do if you're a introverted person who isn't good at socializing?

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I'm not just pitching here....really, but I suggest joining a online mastermind group. It's an easy, painless way to network. And there are other introverts there who will 'get you".