So, you’ve completed your home design certification and are wondering what’s next. Well, we’re here to tell you that the possibilities are endless! There are a number of exciting career options available to you once you have your certification. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 popular career paths YOU can pursue once you have your design certification.
Read on to learn more about these amazing opportunities!
Careers in Home Design
Here are the areas within the home design industry that YOU can get certified and work in, thanks to QC Design School‘s self-paced, online training programs:
1. Interior Decorating
If you love playing around with colors, patterns, and textures, then a career in interior decorating may be perfect for you! As an interior decorator, you’ll be responsible for making clients’ homes look beautiful and stylish. You’ll need to have a good eye for detail and be able to work with a variety of different design styles.
Check out this article to learn more about the role and responsibilities of an interior decorator!
2. Home Staging
If you’re good at seeing the potential in a space and have a knack for organization, then home staging could be the perfect career for you! As a home stager, you’ll help prepare homes for sale by making them look their best. You’ll need to be able to work quickly and efficiently while still paying attention to the smallest of details.
To learn more about what it takes to be a successful home stager, we recommend this Ultimate Guide!
3. Professional Organizing
If you’re someone who loves organization and helping others get their lives in order, then professional organizing may be the perfect career for you! As a professional organizer, you’ll help your clients declutter and organize their homes. You’ll need to be patient, detail-oriented, and have a lot of energy to keep up with your clients!
Interested in becoming a professional organizer? Here’s everything you need to know!
4. Color Consulting
Love playing with color? Then a career in color consulting may be for you! As a color consultant, you’ll help clients choose the perfect colors for their homes. You’ll need to have a good eye for color and be able to work with a variety of different design styles.
Not sure if color consulting is the right fit for you? This Ultimate Guide will reveal everything it’ll take to work in this field, as well as what you can expect!
5. Feng Shui Design
If you’re interested in the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui, then a career in Feng Shui design may be perfect for you! As a Feng Shui designer, you’ll help clients create harmonious and balanced homes. You’ll need to have a good understanding of the principles of Feng Shui and be able to apply them to different home design situations.
Not sure if Feng Shui is right for you? This Beginner’s Guide to Feng Shui will help you decide!
6. Floral Design
If you have a passion for flowers and love working with your hands, then a career in floral design may be perfect for you! As a floral designer, you’ll be responsible for creating beautiful arrangements for clients. You’ll need to have a good eye for detail and be able to work with a variety of different flowers.
Check out this Ultimate Guide to see the 5 steps you can take to become a floral designer (even if you have no experience)!
7. Landscape Design
If you love working outdoors and have a passion for plants, then a career in landscape design may be perfect for you! As a landscape designer, you’ll help clients create beautiful outdoor spaces. You’ll need to have a good understanding of plant care and be able to design functional and stylish outdoor areas.
This Ultimate Guide will show you how YOU can become a landscape designer, regardless of your experience level!
8. Aging in Place Design
If you’re interested in helping seniors age in place safely and comfortably, then a career in aging in place design may be perfect for you! As an aging in place designer, you’ll help clients modify their homes to accommodate their changing needs. You’ll need to have a good understanding of the special needs of seniors and be able to design functional and stylish living spaces.
Not sure if aging in place design is right for you? Learn more about it and what it entails!
Check out the full course curricula for ALL of these QC Design School programs for more info!
What Can You Do After Your Design Training is Finished?
Okay, so by now, you’ve completed your certification course with QC Design School. The world is your oyster and you’re ready to start your new career in home design!
But what are your options? What can you actually do with your certification?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are 5 popular career options for those with a home design certification…
5 Career Options After You’ve Earned Your Design Certification
1. Get Hired By an Existing Design Company
One option you have after completing your design training is to get hired by an existing design company. This is a great option if you’re looking for some stability and want to learn from more experienced designers. Plus, many design companies are always on the lookout for new talent!
Tips For Finding Employment
- Look for job postings online (e.g. Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, Monster, Glassdoor, etc.) or in design magazines
- Attend industry events and meetups
- Check with your local Chamber of Commerce
Tips For Writing Your Resume
- Include a link to your online portfolio
- Highlight your design certification training + designation
- Highlight any relevant experience (e.g. customer service, sales, etc.)
- Mention any relevant design software skills
For more tips and tricks for writing a solid resume, we recommend checking out this helpful article by Job Bank!
Tips For Making a Good Impression At Your Interview
- Dress the part! Wear something that would be appropriate for the type of design company you’re interviewing with
- Be prepared to speak about your experience, skills, and training
- Be ready to share examples of your work (e.g. via a portfolio or online portfolio)
- Have some smart questions prepared for your potential employer
Need more help preparing for your interview? Indeed.com has put together 12 easy steps for you!
2. Start Your Own Design Business
If you’re feeling entrepreneurial, then another option is to start your own design business! This particular option has proven to be exceedingly popular amongst QC Design School grads. In fact, many of our alumni – after having graduated – have gone on to launch their own design businesses, and have been met with immense success!
Furthermore, this is a great option if you want to be your own boss and set your own hours. This is because you’ll get to call all the shots and build your business exactly the way you want to!
Tips For Starting Your Own Design Business
- Get as much business training as possible (such as taking advantage of the optional business unit included within your QC Design School course curriculum)
- Create a business plan
- Choose a catchy name and design a logo
- Build an online presence (e.g. website, social media, etc.)
- Get organized with project management software
- Know who your target audience is
- Start marketing your business
- Develop smart client acquisition AND client retention strategies
Business Resources To Bookmark
Interior Decorating
- How To Start an Interior Decorating Business
- How Much Does It Cost To Start an Interior Decorating Business?
- 28 Best Home Design and Interior Decorating Apps
- 20 Tips To Market Your Interior Decorating Business
- The Best Places For Interior Decorators To Shop
- The Best Tools To Grow Your Interior Decorating Business
- How To Brand Your Interior Decorating Business
- How To Charge As An Interior Decorator
- 9 Business Ideas for Interior Decorators
- 17 Ways To Get Clients as an Interior Decorator
Home Staging
- What Is a Home Stager?
- How Much Money Do Home Stagers Make?
- A Day In The Life Of a Home Stager: What To Expect
- How To Start a Business as a Home Stager in 10 Steps
- How To Get Clients as a Home Stager
- 4 Tips For Booking Virtual Home Staging Jobs
- 25 Business Tips For Home Stagers
- How To Charge as a Home Stager
- The Home Stager’s Guide To Working with Real Estate Agents
Professional Organizing
- What Is a Professional Organizer?
- 4 Emotional Skills You Need To Be a Professional Organizer
- A Day In The Life Of a Professional Organizer
- How To Start a Business as a Professional Organizer
- How To Charge as a Professional Organizer
- Hiring a Professional Organizer: Everything You Need To Know
- Starting an Organizing Business: The Professional Organizer Salary [VIDEO]
- Finding Professional Organizer Jobs: How To Network Like a Pro [VIDEO]
- Professional Organizer Do’s and Don’ts
- How To Market Your Professional Organizing Services To Small Businesses
- 5 Mistakes That’ll Hurt Your Professional Organizer Salary
Color Consulting
- Job Description Of a Color Consultant
- Hiring a Color Consultant: Everything You Need To Know
- What’s NOT Included in a Color Consultant’s Job Description
- Life After Your Color Consultant Certification: Finding Your First Client
- 5 Unexpected Skills You’ll Need as a Color Consultant
- Your Color Consultant Career: Breaking Down a Virtual Consultation
- 6 Color Consultant Services You Can Offer Without ANY Design Training
- 6 Secret Tips For Boosting Your Color Consultant Salary
- A Color Consultant’s Guide To Interior Paint Coatings and Finishes
- Charging for Your Color Consultant Services: Flat-Rate vs. Hourly
- How To Market Your Color Consultant Services To Interior Decorators and Designers
- Color Consulting 101: How To Align Corporate Colors with Company Goals
- What Clients Look For in a Color Consultant
Feng Shui Design
- How To Become a Feng Shui Design Consultant: A Step-By-Step Walkthrough
- The Ultimate List Of Feng Shui Do’s and Don’ts
- 4 Ways Feng Shui Will Improve Your Mental Health
- Turning Your Feng Shui Certification Into a Successful Design Career
- 10 Tips To Maximize Your Feng Shui Certification
- The 4 Central Concepts of Feng Shui
- Understanding The Feng Shui Bagua Map – Part 1
- Understanding The Feng Shui Bagua Map – Part 2
- How NOT To Use The Feng Shui Bagua Map
- How To Declutter a Room for Feng Shui Design
- Feng Shui Room Design for The Workplace
- 5 Feng Shui Rules That Should Never Be Broken
- How To Use Feng Shui To Boost Your Design Salary
- 6 Ways To Find Feng Shui Jobs
- Feng Shui Professionals – Be Ready To Answer These Questions!
3. Work as a Freelance Designer
If the thought of having a boss doesn’t appeal to you (but you still don’t want to work for someone else), then another option is to work as a freelance designer. As a freelancer, you’ll get to choose your own clients and projects. You’ll also get to set your own hours and rates!
This particular option is great for those who value freedom and flexibility. Plus, it’s perfect for those who want to design on their own terms.
Tips For Finding Clients as a Freelance Designer
- Get involved with online communities and forums related to your niche
- Attend industry events, meetups, and conferences
- Reach out to companies and individuals directly
- Create a portfolio website or online design portfolio
- Market yourself via social media
4. Teach Design Courses
If you’re passionate about design, enjoy working with others, and have a knack for teaching, then another option is to teach design courses! This is a great option for those who want to share their knowledge and make great use of their design certification, while simultaneously helping others learn more about the industry.
Plus, it’s a great way to give back to the design community. And, many designers find teaching to be extremely rewarding!
eone else), then another option is to work as a freelance designer. As a freelancer, you’ll get to choose your own clients and projects. You’ll also get to set your own hours and rates!
This particular option is great for those who value freedom and flexibility. Plus, it’s perfect for those who want to design on their own terms.
Tips For Teaching Design Courses
- Get in touch with local colleges, universities, and trade schools
- Look for teaching opportunities online (e.g. becoming a QC Design School Student Tutor)
- Create a portfolio of your previous design work
- Prepare a teaching portfolio or demo reel
5. Work for a Design Firm
If you’re looking for a more traditional career path, then another option is to work for a design firm. As an employee of a design firm, you’ll likely be working on a variety of design projects for different clients. Plus, you’ll get to collaborate with other designers, architects, and industry professionals.
This option is perfect for those who want to work as part of a team and who are looking for stability. Plus, it’s a great way to gain more experience in the design industry.
Now, you may be wondering, “How is working for a design firm different from working for a design business?”
Well, the main difference is that design firms tend to be larger in size, and they usually have a more corporate structure. Moreover, design firms typically work on more commercial projects (e.g. office buildings, retail spaces, etc.), whereas design businesses often focus on residential projects.
Tips For Working at a Design Firm
- Dress the part
- Network, network, network!
- Create a strong portfolio
- Be prepared to work long hours
- Do your research on potential employers
Now that you know about some of the different career options available to you after completing your design certification training, it’s time to start planning for your future!
If you’re not sure which option is right for you, then consider exploring a few of them. Or, if you know exactly what you want to do, then start taking steps to make your dream a reality!
Conclusion
So, which of these 5 career options is right for YOU after you’ve gotten your design certification? Only you can answer that question! But, no matter which path you choose, QC Design School can help you get there!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
