How to Get an Interior Design Job

Forging a professional path can be hard work, and the field of interior design is no exception to the rule. Do you ever find yourself becoming entranced by the building you are in or how the space functions? If so, a career in interior design is likely your calling.

Instructions

1. Obtain an education from a Council for Interior Design Accreditation- (CIDA-) accredited university. Most bachelor's degrees from a non-CIDA university are overlooked in the hiring process in favor of those earned at CIDA-accredited schools. This is because the CIDA process ensures a proper design education that includes knowledge of fire codes, disability requirements and a full safety-knowledge base. Universities must undergo rigorous testing procedures to determine whether the school should receive CIDA status, and even then, the license must be renewed. Attending a university of such caliber will allow you to have a fully recognized and impressive degree. If you are unsure about the university you plan to attend, it is advisable to contact the interior design department and inquire about their accreditation.

2. Make it a habit to save copies of all work, including text, imagery, and models, once you are accepted and proceeding through the interior design program. When it is time to create a personal portfolio during the last semester, all previous work and achievements will be documented and readily available. It's difficult to attempt to revive past projects from the dust that have accumulated under your bed. Treat your work with respect even after the numerical grade has been issued. After all, it is this work that will help you to obtain a job.

3. Establish a professional rapport with valuable professors. Professors not only have contacts in the design profession, but also have the experience and expertise to help you obtain the best job possible. Their names listed as references on a resume are invaluable, because they know your ethic and work quality. Always turn assignments in on time, because deadlines are as much a test in the office as they are in the classroom. Professors recognize this correlation and will take it into consideration when determining personal preparedness.

4. Earn experience while still in school by taking a summer or part-time internship. Most firms offer part-time internships during the school year, as well as full-time summer internships. Research firms in which you are interested, and verify that they provide the avenue of design in your interest area. Afterward, determine if you are personally capable of juggling school and part-time work. If not, the summer internship is likely for you. However, keep in mind that universities usually require a mandatory internship of students as part of the CIDA accreditation.

5. Begin to research interior design firms in person as well as online during the semester before graduation. Don't be shy about calling firms and requesting a brief informative tour. Most companies are more than willing to do this and support the cultivation of budding designers. Once you have compiled a list of companies, create an Excel spreadsheet that lists the company names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers and contact names. Then call each location and ask for a direct contact name to avoid your application's being sent to a generalized human-resources folder. Add the contact name to your spreadsheet for future reference.

6. Create personalized cover letters for each firm that include a positive attribute about the firm. Personalizing the cover letter shows that you did your research and that you are interested in the firm directly. Also include a creative resume and a one-page sample of your work. Then combine all three documents into a single portable document file (pdf) for ease of use, otherwise the recipient is likely to open the first pdf and miss the others, or simply become uninterested and too lazy to proceed. Save the single pdf with a professional name, such as the firm name-your name. Avoid using slang, abbreviations or generic labels for the name of the pdf. Once the work has been prepared, email your pdf to individual design firms; avoid bulk emails. This is impersonal and should be impossible if you properly created an individual pdf per firm. Don't forget to personalize the subject line, as well as include a two- to three-sentence description of your intent in the body of the email. Be witty, not wordy, and don't leave the body of the email blank.