Landing your first design role is tough. With hundreds of applications competing for every opening, a strong portfolio and a well-written cover letter might not be enough to get you noticed.

This question was answered by Quan Payne, Industry Leader, who brings direct hiring experience and a clear perspective on what separates successful candidates from the rest, and Sharon Draper, Mental Health Expert, who explores the human side of career-building and connection. The conversation was hosted by Andy Wright, host of Asking For A Friend on Never Not Creative.

Connection is not a nice-to-have, it is the differentiator

Quan was direct: in a market where junior underemployment is a real and pressing issue, the way you connect with people can matter just as much as the work you produce. When a hiring manager is looking at three or four hundred applications, the candidate who has taken the time to build a genuine relationship is going to stand out. Not because they gamed the system, but because they showed up as a real person.

Persistence over time builds real opportunity

One of the most striking things Quan shared was that he has offered people jobs simply because they kept in touch, consistently and with genuine enthusiasm, over several years. That kind of sustained interest signals something a cover letter rarely can: that someone truly wants to be there. It is not about being pushy. It is about showing that you care about the work and the people doing it.

Relationship-building reflects how the industry actually works

Quan made the point that connection is not just a job-hunting tactic. It is the foundation of how the creative industry operates day to day. The relationships you build now, even before you are employed, are a preview of how you will collaborate, communicate, and contribute later. Reaching out also helps you identify who genuinely wants to support emerging talent, which is useful information in itself.

If you are a designer trying to break in, the message from this session is clear: keep making the work, but do not underestimate the power of simply reaching out, staying curious, and building relationships that feel real.