Tom Scott on Building Your Network and the Rise of the Player-Coach Designer
Nov 29, 2023
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Tom Scott, an experienced design recruiter and founder of the invite-only talent network Verified, shares insights on navigating the design job market. He discusses the importance of community in recruitment and the challenges introverts face in networking. Tom highlights the rise of 'player-coach designers', who balance leadership with hands-on design work, and the evolving landscape of design education, critiquing boot camps and the need for supportive environments for newcomers.
Building and maintaining a sense of community within the design industry fosters connections and enhances support during job searches.
The emergence of the player-coach designer highlights the importance of blending design skills with leadership and strategic contributions in organizations.
Deep dives
The Importance of Community in Job Searches
Searching for a job can often feel isolating, particularly during challenging economic periods. Building and maintaining a sense of community plays a crucial role in combating those feelings of loneliness and negativity. Engaging with others within the design industry fosters connections, shares insights, and provides emotional support, which is vital when facing job market uncertainties. This community aspect not only helps individuals stay positive but can also lead to opportunities that may not be widely advertised.
Adapting Recruitment Practices
The approach to recruitment in the design field has evolved significantly over the years. Traditionally relying on lengthy processes, many companies are now recognizing the need for agility in hiring. As demand grows, and competition for talent heightens, efficient recruitment becomes essential; hiring managers who can communicate expectations clearly and streamline their processes hold competitive advantages. Understanding candidates' skills beyond just their tool proficiency enables recruiters to make more informed hiring decisions.
Navigating the Design Portfolio Landscape
The concept of a design portfolio has shifted based on the designer's career stage. For junior designers, portfolios should showcase an understanding of design processes and demonstrate their impact despite limited experience. As designers progress to senior roles, the focus shifts more towards showcasing their strategic contributions to business outcomes rather than just design work. This evolution indicates that as designers mature in their career, communication of their impact and business literacy becomes increasingly important.
Building and Maintaining a Professional Network
Networking effectively in today's remote work environment requires intentional strategies that extend beyond traditional conferences. Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, joining smaller meetups, and creating your own local design events can significantly enhance one's professional connections. Having a strong online presence is vital, as it ensures that others in the industry are aware of your skills and contributions. Additionally, reaching out for mentorship or guidance can lead to lasting professional relationships that aid in career advancement.
We're switching gears a little from Design and catch up with Tom Scott, who's sharing his thoughts on building and using your network for your job search, the rise of the player-coach designer, and his thoughts on design education.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
03:52 – Community approach in recruitment
09:30 – The current state of design recruitment
13:56 – Portfolios – Do you need them?
23:04 – How to build and use your network for your job search