Hi Jeremy,
There’s no reason you should be struggling this much to land a role, your work is solid. Between your two portfolios, the second one definitely shows more promise, but it could benefit from a more defined landing page. Having a clear, visual overview of your sections right off the bat would help visitors quickly grasp the range of your work.
From what I’ve seen in the industry, many designers find themselves caught between being good enough and, frankly, too expensive for firms that are looking for bargain rates. Companies sometimes opt for cheaper, less experienced designers or even crowdsource design contests where quality takes a back seat to cost.
One major red flag to avoid is job listings that bundle too many unrelated roles into one. If a company is looking for a designer/web designer/print expert/logo maker/marketing specialist/PowerPoint designer who can also create in MS Word ----> -----> RUN <------ <------.
Similarly, if they list Adobe CS Suite, InDesign, Flash, Premiere, RoboHelp, JavaScript, HTML/CSS all in one post, it’s a sign they don’t actually know what they need, and they won’t value you.
Be very selective about the roles you apply to. If a job posting is asking for a Junior Graphic Deisgner with 5 years experience and also with Photographer/Video Editor experience and dog walker, it’s not a real opportunity, it’s a headache waiting to happen.
One piece of advice that keeps coming up in design circles is to invest in storytelling. Your portfolio should do more than showcase pretty images. Employers want to see a narrative; the challenges you faced, your design process, and the tangible outcomes of your work, while keeping it short and to the point.
Also, be sure to tailor your portfolio to the types of roles you are after. If you’re looking at branding, for instance, make sure to highlight long-term projects and roles where you had a significant impact.
For instance in applying, send the URL for the Branding Section, but make it clear there are other areas to your portfolio that’s also easy to access.
Make sure your resume and portfolio tell a cohesive story. Employers often look for evidence of reliability and growth. If you can pinpoint your longest or most impactful stint as a designer and build your narrative around that experience, it could set you apart from the competition.
At the end of the day, don’t underestimate the power of networking and being active in professional circles. Sometimes the best opportunities come from a trusted recommendation rather than an anonymous job application. Stay confident in your work and continue refining your presentation it’s clear you have a strong foundation to build on.