The Secret to getting a job in 2025 as a Designer — or any role you want, really.

Credit: Unsplash

I read a really great summary from Debbie (ex Meta & Shopify) about the upcoming 2025 employment market and it has been sitting on my mind for a bit.

When I wrote An Ode to Designers, it contained many hints at what the job market is going to be like for 2025, and I think it’s really the best time to roll up your sleeves and hunt seriously, because there’s a lot of REAL jobs and GREAT opportunities upcoming this year.

Here’s my summary:

• Tech funding is going to make a comeback this year, with many venture capitals ready to make buy-low-sell-high decisions after Tech Winter has passed their all-time low.
• Hiring strategies have changed — With the extreme saturation of talent, employers are relying on close networks for talents. This is the time to network physically and meet people to get referrals. Events, anyone?
• The job market is only going to get tougher from here. Do you have the top skills employers are looking for?

The first point is simmering, the second point I’ve relentlessly talked about since June 2024; so let’s focus on point number #3: The skills for successful employment in 2025.

Ramble, ramble, ramble…

Disclaimer: I’m not leadership, I’m not a manager, so if you’re looking to get an executive summary from me and direct answers, you know I’m not going to give it to you that easy.

I’m a writer, designer, and dozen-time mentor: so you can be sure I’ll make you infer the answer from my articles. That’s my mentoring style, deal with it.

I know I can be annoying, but once you get it, you just get it.

Skill #1: Business acumen

I don’t want this article to be a rip-off from Debbie’s (it wouldn’t be), but I would also like to emphasise the importance of being business-savvy in whatever career you’re in.

Cost-to-value ratio is a fundamental every professional needs to understand. Your value as a designer isn’t optimising the user flow and providing a great experience, your value comes when your work significantly increases revenues and is an MVP to…