This topic appeared in my inbox recently courtesy of a newsletter from LinkedIn. With all the changes that have occurred in the job market since the pandemic, many professionals in the Design field have had their fair amount of questions as to what exactly comes next and how to navigate uncertainty. Having weathered through the 2009/2010 recession and even some rough periods before, here are some interesting points which I hope make for good reflection opportunities.

1.There’s no Sure Thing. It is a veritable statement that some people manage to stay employed and with the same company for many years. However, with the job market evolving and particularly for Designers, this can oftentimes change quite rapidly. In my professional career, and in my network, I’ve noticed the more extended periods of professional engagement with the same company for Designers is on average capped at the 7 year mark with the shortest stints being a year or even a few months (of course this will have variations since not everyone is a repeatable pattern). Even for companies who have been in the market for a long time, there are changes in leadership, culture, priorities, which trickles across every single aspect of their tissue. And that in itself makes for some of these professional engagements to become more challenging. And also Organizations, much like a living organism, they transform, they get bought out or are merged into another, and others simply cease to exist. The truth of the fact is: nothing ever lasts forever, and Designers should always focus on making sure they strategically solve the problems they’re employed to solve, but also keep in mind that a job is just that. An exchange of a service, and that at times that service may no longer be needed or even exist.

2.Layoffs are not a Reflection on Professional Capability. So much goes into a layoff. Each organization is an organism of its own and they all have their challenges, journeys, priorities and flows (and at times, they’re also very conditioned by their helmer). 2023 has been particularly harsh when it comes to layoffs in the Technology sector. Back in 2009/2010 I recall how the recession impacted everyone so dramatically and how the companies I was working for at the time had to make difficult decisions and also sever people who had been part of their roster for quite some time. I also recall feeling very fortunate that it did not happen to me then (particularly considering that in one of those cases I was working in a Marketing Department). For workers on a Visa, that can be particularly challenging due to the timelines and finding another employer they can work with, and who is willing to sponsor them. Since that dramatic time period I’ve also been impacted by a layoff. Was it unexpected? Yes, since we’re all tied to certain habits and expectations, and I’m no exception.

One of the most surprising things about a layoff is its brutal breakup and shake up which impacts the routine one has established. Each person gets to choose and digest such an event in the way that is more suitable for them. However, and if I may impart some advice particularly for Designers, embrace the change and proactively reach out to others and seek out other opportunities. Always be aware of your self worth, keep your portfolio updated and always make sure it is an accurate representation of who you are and what you can do. Keep your contacts and information on Networks such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Behance, Creative Hotlist, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor (to name but a few), updated and accurate. That demonstrates a particular level of investment in yourself, not to mention it’s that much easier for someone to contact you if your information is correctly stated. Side Note 1. The temptation to try to rationalize the layoff will be tremendous. Resist that temptation and move forward with your career. You’ll never get a clear perception of why some people get impacted (or even yourself) and others do not. Side Note 2. A recent article from another Author/Designer on Medium stated that Designers are typically some of the first professionals to be impacted by layoffs. In all my years of professional experience, I have never witnessed that or noticed it to be the case. Each Organization will make their own choices and ultimately what a Designer (or professional) can do is consume the outcome and move on. Digest, assimilate, and understand that what you take from the experience is the knowledge you gained, the people you interacted with, the relationships that were formed, and then move on to your next step. Life is made of cycles, and chances are, this event is just part of another one.

3.Self Worth and Investment. One of the constant reinforcements I’ve always mentioned to Designers I’ve either mentored or managed is the need to invest in one’s career. Investing in oneself is what ultimately allows professionals to keep evolving and be able to remain competitive in the job market. Educate yourself with additional courses, read more, attend conferences and workshops, seek out network opportunities, be inquisitive, and above all, be methodical about it. The worst thing that can happen to any professional, and even more so for Designers, is complacency. The Design field is always ripe with change, with Technology having a profound impact on everything Designers do. It’s imperative to keep abreast of these changes, since they also impact users’ behaviors. Keep in mind that an essential part of what Designers do is basically anthropology of human behaviors/habits. The more you understand of users/consumers, of the ecosystem in which they operate in, the more sensical it is to shape solutions that fit in with what people actually want, need and do. Also, each and every professional is different, and has its own goals. For some the goal is to reach a certain job title, or a particular role with a certain Organization. Whatever that goal may be, always remember that the only constant throughout all of it is yourself (yes, self evident realization 😊). The point being: invest in your career, treasure it since in the long run that’s what will bear the fruits you want to enjoy.

4.Be Prepared. I’ve written on the topic of Portfolios and Interviews extensively (you can find it here, here and here). One of the most important things for a Designer is to have a showcase that is representative of what they can actually do. And not solely representing the final deliverables, but also the journey to get there. Just as importantly, always have a resume, cover letter and any other relevant documentation updated and polished. Ultimately it’s not about expecting the worst to happen, it’s about making sure you control as much of your path as you can.

Hopefully this article provides some points of reflection as well all navigate this immense tide together. While we can’t control the flow or size of the tide, we can better ourselves and prepare to ride the wave the best way possible. This ability to invest in ourselves, of being flexible and persistent always pays dividends.

Thomas Edison wrote:
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”