I checked my email this morning and at the top of the list was a posting from Sologig for a company looking for an 'Entry Level Web Designer'. Then I opened the email and clicked the link.
Position Summary:
The Web & Graphic Designer is an intermediate-to-advanced-level graphic designer who is adept at web design and possesses a good understanding of UI and front-end concepts. The position also requires traditional design and print production capabilities. Key responsibilities include creating websites, purchase pages, microsites and other web-based applications; developing professional, compelling designs for printed media, including direct mail, brochures, flyers and large-format pieces such as tradeshow panels; understanding, translating and creating design documents, style guides and specifications; administering company content management system; producing wireframes, mockups and comps, and bringing the designs to life with HTML and CSS development; and, performing testing and providing peer feedback.
This is a marketing position that collaborates with other graphic designers, front and back-end IT developers, project managers and sales teams to provide engaging web-based and promotional assets.
Okay....sounds promising so far...what else?
This position is based in (City, State) and reports to the Marketing Director.
Key Position Responsibilities:
Graphic Design & Brand Development:
* Create and produce effective and engaging sales collateral, direct mail, trade show booth graphics and other printed materials for several (Company) clientelle.
* May prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material according to instructions of requestor;
* Produce print projects with pre-press knowledge using Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, or Adobe Photoshop,
* Write specifications for printing and reproduction and coordinates with printing vendors, including review of proofs as needed;
* Ensure continuity, look-and-feel and adherence to branding standards in company’s visual communications;
* Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and cop, selects style and size of type, and arranges layout based upon available space, knowledge of layout principles and aesthetic design concepts;
* Create compelling design concepts, artwork and layout for multi-channel and integrated marketing efforts.
Okay...that's fine. I've dealt with similar situations before. Let's continue, shall we?
Web Design & UI/UX Design:
* Design mockups and wireframes using Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks;
* Develop and design e-newsletters and other web-based communications using online marketing best practices;
* Create and implement intuitive, functional websites, purchase pages and other web-based assets using HTML5/CSS3 to accomplish marketing goals;
* Provide informed recommendations for design and layout, behavior and functionality of websites through general knowledge of UI best practices;
* Create styles in content management system (CMS), and assist in administering users as needed, troubleshooting bug fixes and deploying builds;
* Use responsive design techniques for web development across multiple platforms;
* Assist in testing cross-browser, cross-platform, and/or cross-device compatibility for inconsistencies;
* Apply critical thinking and find solutions to moderately-complex software and technological issues within the scope of the role;
* Assists in monitoring website statistics and analyzing trends, ultimately incorporating website design changes as needed to ensure ease-of-use for customers and higher sales conversions.
Making sure your assets display properly in all browsers is important, as is critical thinking...moving on.
Teamwork & Collaboration:
* Collaborate with the Marketing Director to develop compelling and highly-targeted marketing campaigns;
* Serve as a lead graphic designer by assisting to establish styles, providing guidance, and sharing advanced-level knowledge with other designers and freelancers as needed;
* Provide direct support and internal customer service to project teams;
* Continually seek additional opportunities for professional development to stay on top of advancements in web design and development in a marketing capacity.
What's shown here so far is pretty standard fare for most job descriptions. Now for the requirements.
Education & Experience:
* Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing or other similar degree highly desired;
* Minimum three years of graphic design experience with a strong knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices and procedures within the graphic design field;
* Prior experience working within professional services, medical, IT, SaaS, or other regulated industry is preferred.
* Intermediate level experience designing for multi-channel marketing activities with the demonstrated ability to establish and apply consistent use of the guidelines to each brand,
* Intermediate-level experience or better using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) preferred;
* two to five years designing for social media and mobile platforms a plus.
* one to three years of creating and/or designing responsive websites;
Skills & Knowledge:
* Advanced level skills using Adobe Creative Suite/Adobe Creative Cloud;
* Intermediate level skill set working with HTML and CSS;
* Strong sense of web design and a general understanding of the fundamentals of user experience and cross-platform compatibility;
* Intermediate knowledge or better of print design and production concepts; experience with in-house digital printing process a plus;
* Experience working with web content management systems (CMS); experience administering users, workflows, permissions and developing specifications and schemas a plus;
* Intermediate level skills working with email clients and CRM such as MailChimp, Zoho, or SugarCRM;
* Working knowledge of Javascript or similar programming language, and using version control systems such as Git, Github, Assembla preferred;
* Familiarity with jQuery is a plus.
This is where I call bullshit. There's no way in hell an entry level candidate is going to have three years of experience in graphic design. Last I checked, 'Entry Level' meant that a candidate was looking to get their foot in the door. Talk about dishonesty...this ad is dishonest to the core.
It seems to me that all Sologig wants is for people to click the link so they get more money for the ads employers post. Lying and saying they're looking for entry level when they really want 'experienced' workers for shittier wages is now the standard for websites like these.
But it's not just the job websites that do this. Employers themselves do this as well. Why? Because they can. The fact that anyone needs experience before they can get an entry level position just goes to show how much of an employer's market this country has truly become. If you have no experience in the field you're trying to get into and you've been out of work for a while, you're fucked. Disabled? Don't bother applying.
This ad above is why I always tell people, especially my employment specialist that what employers say they want and what they really want are two very different things. And yet they still act as though they don't have a clue.
See you around,
Homer