Helo everyone..
I am graduated diploma student.. I have no experience work in design field... Well that sound horror for me... I start search job at jobstreet, linkedin, indeed, sabah jobs and any website that hired graphic designer.. It really hard for me to find job at sabah related to my field.. They rarely hired Graphic designer here.. I know at selangor have a lot of vacancy Graphic Designer. But i decide to work at sabah. Here at sabah i mostly found vacancy for photographer and videographer or editor. Its related to bridal and event. It really hard to find a job look interest for me. Well im picky person, i want to find job that really suitable with things i want to learn.. Im really interest with branding product and web design.. I have apply several jobs and sent my resume but really having trouble with expected salary... I set my expected salary Rm1500.. I don't set to much higher, it will only make me look too much greedy in they eye.. With my current situation no experience and solid portfolio, its really make me hard to stand among other rest candidates.. Im doommm... I have do a lot research about expected salary.. None i find helping..

After i fail my first interview(maybe), they said i should at least had 1 year experience, do intern or work freelance.. Work freelance??? That is my first time i ever heard bout that.. never across in my mind doing that work.. I protect my pride by saying "I'm still fresh graduated student. I have no experience nor do work freelance. I can only present my final artwork during my diploma show. Everyone same at the beginning when they start work. Not having to much experience or skill. So that is why they search for a job to obtain what they want to gain. I may look nothing to you but when it come to design i know what to do and present what client want.".. After that I don't know if im being rude said those word to interview. Moreover I never feel any regret speak like that better than stay silent.

Then after that i start doing freelance.. I join contest, if i win i get money, if i lose i can keep my work as my portfolio.. I never win in any contest. There are so many strong competitor and copy cat(which they try to steal your design).. Even im lose, but i never lose to learn something to improve my designs, be creative and learn how to interact with my client.. I enjoin explore see artwork from top level designer.. I feel challenged after watch their quality artwork.. Really amazing and speechless. I don't know how they can develop this fresh concept design.. If i make comparison with my artwork really far better... Starting that moment i decide to climb higher .. i start read article about design, see tutorial, up to date new trend design.. I discover many things that i never found during my time being as student.. Also i start learn new skill about website front code... At first i am really stuck.. Wonder where should i start? How to understand this function html, css and js?? .. Again do research and i found site that i can learn code for free. That site for beginner to learning code step by step and they support each other by shared their knowledge.

Not to long after that, i had to stop do freelance since i'm busy helped my family business.. Wake up early morning and go back at night.. I had try several time stay up late night just for doing design.. The result it tomorrow my backbone hurt(maybe because i drink to much coffee) and almost lack of sleep.. I stop do that afterward. I spend my time do illustration and sketch what on my mind . If not i will try discover something new. It is almost 1 year i stop doing freelance.. I cannot stand by never do any design for my portfolio... With my laptop can't turn on (R.I.P) mean it dies need to replace with new one... Dammit... I lost hope... I wish i afford to buy new one..

So right now i need to searching for jobs again.. I make a research about that company which i will apply. Then search a lot example how to write a good resume. Wishing i could get one.. But sadly none i got respond for interview.. Seeing the job description make me really want to sent my resume. After read the requirement im speechless.. Need 2-3 years experience at least, able to do this and that, need to speak mandarin and soo onnnn... I could only just stare that jobs application... While i tell myself 'There should be another opportunity'.. I wonder if i should continue my study Degree??? Or just get a job? Or do freelance?? ... I start to worry about my future right now... Worry that i might not get hire..

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This is very long story about my horror life lolll haha, i don't know who i should talk... Since here you all mostly Malaysian people and maybe some of you Graphic Designer.. I want to know your opinion about my current situation. Maybe giving some advise that also may be help for me...
Thank you..

Helo Siti,
Yeah i also know what you mean by job market at Sabah in design field. Very... very.. ermmmm ... no comment. In order to survive i have to do Freelance while searching for next jobs. Built portfolio is important for me. While waiting my coming soon job, i try to adapt new skills.

I have do research company before applying the job. I don't like randomly apply without know the details. i try to understand they main priority vision/mission/goal, business, requirement and job description. But for certain vacancy like Company Confidential i can't track they company background if they didn't state properly. Just relying they job description and requirement. Networking i only use linkedin to add my connection and not really active used any social media..

Sometime when i try to look back, i realize that i have faced many obstacle while i struggle to achieve my future. Moreover i have been walk this far, i can't simply give up. Well i guess big things take time to create it.

Oh its okay even though you shared a few tips, i find it useful to remind me back. Thank you very much for your reply ..

I suggest same like you by doing some project. Talk to recuiter that he know do this and that is talk cheap. To convince that he capable to get hire, he need at least to prove that he had do some project web or he can show previous work he do with his online friend.. He also can check at youtube how people get jod related to his job.

If he had exprience with web dev previously, that good. He need to fulfil the requirement job. Tell him don't think second thought or doubt either he get hire or not. Put that aside. As long he confident with his skill im sure he know what he gonna do.

I wouldn't dare to give any suggestion about this since im not sure too. But what i notice have Intern is important nowadays. If he has do intern and has skill (or include some his previous work).. Yess this is bonus for him.

I want to ask did your friend take part time degree IT, while he search job for web dev?? (this is only my thought)..

Currently i spend my time to learn coding 1-5 pm.. at night im doing for freelance job.. It depend how long i could finish the design. Usually i set my time until 2 or 3 am. But when it come to submit deadline i will stay until 6 am.

Btw you welcome .