The Hidden Hurdle in Your Design Career Path
There could be one thing stopping you growing as a designer, and it might just be you.
Youâve finally graduated, whether itâs from university or perhaps a bootcamp. Youâre ready and raring to go. Heck, you might even be a year or two in and youâre eager to snap up that Middleweight designer title. I get it, Iâve been there, so keen to get a head, regardless of what it meant. But the focus on climbing the career ladder might in fact be holding you back.
The one thing youâve probably not thought about when it comes to your career progression, and itâs stopping you from getting that new snazzy title or becoming a better designer â is time.
đŁď¸ The Myth of the Fast Track
I once read, 'the lack of patience is when we donât believe what we want is coming'. This rings true, especially at the beginning of our careers, where we crave a title change. But why? Salaries often increase with bigger titles, and these titles on our CV or LinkedIn provide a sense of credibility, making us feel like âproperâ designers.
However, the practice of inflating titles on LinkedIn can backfire. Hiring managers and teams may become skeptical of your skills and experience if you've rapidly ascended to a role like creative director or head of product design. Being excellent in your role is one thing, but advancing too quickly or inflating your title can do more harm than good. Remember, being a lead is about actions, not just labels.
đââď¸ Pursuit of a Title Over Skills
Chasing a title often means losing focus on what truly matters: honing your skills and mastering your craft, the real drivers behind becoming a better designer and earning that coveted title. Obsessing over a LinkedIn title can lead to cutting corners, undermining our genuine growth in design.
For instance, with just 2 years of design experience, rushing into a lead or manager role could mean doing less hands-on design work, which can stunt your professional growth.
Think about it: if you jump too quickly into a lead or managerial role with only a couple of years' experience, you might miss out on the hands-on work that truly hones your abilities. This haste might be why many of us experience impostor syndrome, leaving us feeling unprepared in roles we're not quite ready for.
So, let's focus on the here and now, seizing every chance to learn and grow. Itâs not about how quickly you climb, but how solid each step is. I learned this the hard way, having ascended rapidly to a lead/partner role, only to realise I needed to step back and cultivate my skills, as well as step into a role that excited me each day.
đ The Art of Slowing Down
In our fast-paced world, slowing down might seem counterintuitive. Yet, a more measured approach to career development has its advantages. Good things take time, after all. Here's how to balance ambition with practicality:
Skill Mastery: Focus on refining your skills. A robust portfolio is more impactful than a flashy title. Demonstrate your skills and level of expertise, and take time to master your craft and tools. When you can be trusted to execute designs well, you'll naturally progress in your career.
Learning from Mistakes: Mistakes are not only inevitable; they're invaluable learning opportunities. But it's crucial to reflect on these mistakes. Early in our careers, we often try to forget them, distancing ourselves from those experiences. Yet, embracing these mistakes can be a powerful platform for future learning.
Setting Realistic Goals: While ambition is commendable, align it with achievable goals to avoid burnout and frustration. Aspiring to jump from junior to mid-weight in a year might sound ambitious, but it's often unrealistic. In my earlier days, a junior had 0 to 4 years of experience, a mid was 5 to 7/8, and a senior was around the 10-year mark. Today, this timeframe has drastically condensed. Remember, a career can span 40 years; if you're a senior within 5 years, what's left for the next 35?
Remember, the beginner phase in your design career is brief. Embrace this time to learn, experiment, fail, and most importantly, have faith in yourself. Your time will come, and that glittering job title will one day be yours.
Until next week â Liz đ
P.S If you couldnât make the live recording of The Pollen Pod: Career Tales & Tips,
Liz Hamburger & Aderonke Oke | Neurospicy Women in Product Design then make sure you check it out!
Before I go, here is this week's top jobs I found that I wanted to share with you.
đ¤ Jobs
Junior Product Designer
âProduct Designer â up to ÂŁ50k â London â SaaS
Excited to be hiring for a Product Designer with just 1-2 yearâs experience!
Youâll be working alongside a highly-experienced Lead Product Designer at this fast-growing London based SaaS start-up.â
đđť Read more and apply
Principal Product Designer
âPrincipal Product Designer - Up to ÂŁ130,000 plus shares - Fully Remote with a UK Team - B2B SaaS. In Product is partnered with a High-Growth Early-stage Startup whose mission is to save lives. You will join a Team of experienced business-minded, and highly adaptable Engineers, Clinicians, and Designers as a peer. This is a role where everyone has a seat at the table, there is no hierarchy, and your motivation will be to deliver the best User Experience.â
đđť Read more and apply
Post Office: Junior UI Visual Designer
âHere at the Post Office, weâre steeped in tradition, but weâre going places. In this role you will be supporting the design team in setting the visual design standard for new digital products within the business. As well as working directly with your Visual Design colleagues, you will be partner closely with UX Designers, User Researchers, Product Managers, and Developers to enhance the customer experience across the digital channels, driving both acquisition and engagement in the process to aid commercial success for POL & enhance remuneration for Postmasters. â
đđť Read more and apply
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