Tough at the top?

There is a perception when you start out in your earlier career, that the people at the top know what they’re doing, they have everything sorted and have achieved what they set out to do. However, sometimes the insecurities, stresses and worries we can feel when we enter the world of work can still be present when you reach that director level as well. They may just manifest in a different way.

I’ve often heard from all levels of designers that they feel the design industry is often ‘ageist’ and make comments like ‘I know my career in this industry has a shelf life’. Is this the perception they have or is it the reality? 

Last week I had a conversation with a Director who had recently been made redundant. It wasn’t the first time they have been through the redundancy process in their career at director level, having to freelance whilst looking for the next permanent role but when you are thrown into job search when you were not actively looking in the first place – let’s face it, is exhausting! 

At director level, jobs are few and far between in the design industry. It is an expensive investment, the opportunities do not arise frequently as unless the company has had a large influx of work to accommodate another director or someone has left they want to replace, you often have to be patient.

I suggested to the Director that we should change the mindset and approach to find their next role. Instead of looking for work, applying to jobs, instead, spend the next few weeks doing the following: Accumulating their depth of knowledge, problem-solving skills, refining their specialized expertise that has built up over the years , into a business model that can be sold on a consultative basis. Either through workshops or consultations. 

Once this has been established and refined, utilizing the long standing and creditable client relationships they have built over a career to leverage opportunities as a consultant or to spread the word of their business model. 

Taking time to write articles and pieces of insight for platforms like LinkedIn or design magazines to get your name out there as an expert in your field. 

It is challenging looking for work at any level but the one advantage senior level designers have is the depth of knowledge they can offer to businesses, decades of experience negotiating, mentoring, building and leading teams, identifying lasting trends. 

Maybe, the future of director roles are more transient, more cost effective and more focused in certain times of projects or a business cycle rather than long term expensive overheads? Huge advantage for both parties?! Only time will tell.