Credibility is capital, and it’s crucial to your success as a designer. You earn it, save it, and spend it in order to make your work come to life. Credibility is also a way for your true talents to get exposure to the outside world through the products you design that actually launch.
As a designer, you get hired on the basis of your beautiful portfolio and strong resume. But that’s as far as those historical recaps can take you. From day one on the new job you need to start building credibility through small wins. It’s those small wins that immediately begin to earn you credibility. But there are subtle differences on how to best get those small wins, depending on if you’re a freelancer or a full-time employee.
Freelancers are expected to start performing immediately, from their first minute on the job. You’re there to fill a temporary gap, and there are likely projects that need your attention immediately. Small wins for a freelancer include asking the right questions. What are you there to do? What are the immediate fires to be put out? Who are the stakeholders? Whom will you be working with? Showing expertise at diagnosing the problem right away is a terrific small win. Next, ask questions about the timelines. Engaging clients with a quick discussion about the schedule shows that you’re conscious of their situation and want to help them meet their goals. Finally, earn credibility by getting to work. Waste as little time as possible before you get started. If you can start delivering work on your first day, you’ve shown your client that you’re serious, you’re there to help and can get the job done (win, win and win!). All of this adds up to a big chunk of credibility that will help you secure another gig with that company. It will also help spread good word of mouth about you to other clients.
Full-timers have a different challenge. Many organizations don’t expect you to start delivering right away. Instead, get the lay of the land. Understand who the players are and how the company operates. Ask for data, analysis, and existing points of view on the market, the industry, and the customer base. Show your new colleagues that your design work will be based on fact, data, and insight. All of this creates small wins. It shows that you’re eager but want to design the right way. Ask to speak with customers (win!) to get their perspective on the company’s products and services. Reach out to the veteran employees to get a historical perspective of what’s been tried and what’s worked—and what’s failed. This is a huge win because it provides context for your work AND begins to build relationships with employees who may be wary of the changes the “new designer” is going to make. Finally, when it comes time to do some work, take on a small effort. Resist the urge to take up the “big daddy project” immediately. Pick off some low-hanging fruit first, and do a great job. These small wins start to build your reputation as a problem-solver and someone that can be trusted to handle bigger efforts.
Nothing in your past will guarantee credibility at a new job. Use your experience to gain small wins at your new gig. Add up those wins over a short period of time, and you’ve begun to create the credibility necessary to truly change your new organization.
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