«First Offer» is a Telegram media channel for students in creative fields and junior designers, designed to help secure that first job or design commission. We don’t offer generic advice; instead, we break down real portfolios and test assignments from practicing designers, publish only junior-level vacancies, and teach you how to view your work through an employer’s eyes. Our goal is to shorten the path from «completed the course» to «received an offer» through practice, feedback, and real-world case studies.

Month 1: Foundation. Portfolio and First Steps

Week 1: How to build a portfolio when you only have school projects (Analysis of 3 junior portfolios).

Week 2: What employers look at first (5-point checklist).

Week 3: Case study presentation: how to describe the problem, process, and outcome.

Week 4: «Weekly Test» segment + collection of internships for juniors.

Month 2: Take-Home Assignments. How Not to Fail

Week 1: Why employers use take-home assignments and what they are really testing.

Week 2: Analysis of a real take-home assignment from a design studio (what they wanted, what the junior submitted, and what should have been done).

Week 3: How to present your take-home: response structure and cover letter.

Week 4: «Assignment of the Week» segment + job openings.

Month 3: Resume and Job SearchWeek 1: Junior Resume: How to describe experience when you have little.Week 2: Cover Letters: A template that works.Week 3: Where to look for junior positions (not just HH).Week 4: Job Description Breakdown: What requirements are realistic and what are «red flags.»

Month 4: Freelancing and First Commissions

Week 1: How to land your first client without connections.

Week 2: Pricing for Juniors: How much to charge and how not to undersell yourself.

Week 3: Client Communication: Briefs, Revisions, and Deadlines.

Week 4: Deconstructing a Real Freelance Case Study: From First Message to Project Delivery.

Month 5: Interviews and Soft SkillsWeek 1: How to interview at a design studio or IT company.Week 2: 10 common questions for juniors and how to answer them.Week 3: How to present your portfolio in an interview (story structure).Week 4: What to do after rejection: how to ask for feedback and work with it.

Month 6: Real-World Cases and CommunityWeek 1: Interview with a junior who received a job offer after our review.Week 2: How to advance your career after your first job.Week 3: Open portfolio review of subscribers' work (stream or series of posts).Week 4: Half-year results: a collection of the best assignments and job openings.

Content #1: Telegram Post (Review)Type: Text + Image (Screenshot)
Category: «Portfolio Breakdown»
Visual: Screenshot of a junior’s portfolio homepage, with errors circled in red.
Text:«We reviewed 20 beginner designers’ portfolios and found 3 mistakes that hiring managers notice on the very first screen.Lack of context. You show a beautiful screen but don’t state what the task was. The employer shouldn’t have to guess.Too many academic projects. One strong case study is better than five weak ones.No results. How did the project conclude? What changed?Save this checklist and check your own work. And if you want a genuine critique—send us a link in the comments.
P. S. According to statistics, recruiters spend an average of 2 minutes looking at a portfolio. Make sure they see your best case study in that time, not just another ‘school assignment’!»Content #2: Telegram Post (Case Study Analysis)Type: Text + Image (Interface Mockup)
Category: «Test Week»
Visual: Mobile application screen with notes reading, «The logic broke here.»
Text:«We recently analyzed a test assignment from a design studio. The task was: „Design a mobile food delivery screen.“
The junior created a visually appealing screen with animation. The employer rejected it. Why?Because the assignment had a hidden requirement: „Show how you work with user scenarios.“ You weren’t just supposed to draw; you had to demonstrate the logic—where the user came from and where they clicked next.Takeaway: always clarify exactly what they expect from you. If the brief allows for interpretation—ask a question before you start. This is a plus, not a minus.
Drop a 🔥 if you’ve run into these ‘mysterious’ assignments too.»

Content #3: TikTok/Shorts (Video)Type: Video
Category: «Advice for Juniors»
Visual: dynamic filming, host looking at the camera, subtitles appear on screen with phrases.Script (text):Scene 1 (0–5 sec): Host looks at the camera. On-screen text: «3 phrases that kill your interview.»Scene 2 (5–15 sec): Host: «I learn quickly.» — Everyone says this. Show how you learned: what course, what project, what you mastered in a month.Scene 3 (15–25 sec): Host: «I don’t have experience, but I’m trying.» — The employer doesn’t care that you’re trying. They care about what you can deliver. Show a pet project.Scene 4 (25–30 sec): On-screen text: «Save this so you don’t forget. More breakdowns—on Telegram „First Offer“.»

Content #4: Telegram Post (Collection)Type: text + image (logo collage of companies)
Section: «Junior Job Openings»
Visual: A stylish collage featuring the logos of companies currently hiring interns.
Text:«We’ve gathered 3 relevant openings for those just starting out. None of them require „3+ years of experience.“Design Intern at Studio X. Requirements: knowledge of Figma, eagerness to learn. What you’ll do: banners, brand identity.Junior UI/UX at Startup Y. Requirements: a portfolio with 2–3 projects. What you’ll do: mobile app screens.Freelance Illustrator (project-based work). Requirements: work samples. What you’ll do: a series of illustrations for a blog.Full descriptions and links are in the pinned message. If you’re applying—comment below, we’ll support you!
P. S. According to HH, 70% of junior openings are filled through networking or internal referrals. So, don’t hesitate to reach out directly!»

Content #5: Telegram Post (Interactive)Type: Text + Image (Meme)
Category: «Junior Struggles»
Visual: A meme featuring a sad cat staring at a monitor.
Text:«We want to make media more useful. Answer one question: what is your biggest challenge right now when searching for your first job?A) I don’t know how to put together a portfolio.
B) I’m afraid of take-home assignments.
C) I don’t know where to look for junior vacancies.
D) I fail interviews.Write your answer in the comments! We will address the most common responses in upcoming posts.
P. S. Statistically, 80% of juniors give up their search after 10 rejections. Don’t give up—we are here to help you through this journey!»

Content #6: Telegram Post (Checklist)Type: text + image (graphics with checkmarks)
Category: «Helpful Tips»
Visual: A branded card featuring the checklist text.
Text:«How to tell if your portfolio is good in 5 minutes. Check these points:Does your header say: „UI/UX Designer, building interfaces for mobile applications“?Does the second screen showcase your best case study (problem — solution — result)?Is there a link to your contact information and résumé?Are there any unnecessary projects that don’t reflect your skill level?If the answer to all points is „yes”—you are ready to apply. If not—save this post and make the necessary changes.
P. S. A Behance portfolio with a completed project description receives three times more views from recruiters than just uploaded images!“

Content #7: Telegram Post (Case Study)

Type: Text + Image (Before/After photo) Section: «Success Stories» Visual: Two images: on the left, an empty portfolio of 5 projects; on the right, a structured portfolio of 2 case studies.

Text:

«Anya came to us with a portfolio of five academic projects. They were all beautiful, but lacked descriptions. We reviewed her work and advised her to: remove two weaker case studies, add descriptions of the objective and process, and emphasize one strong project.

A month later, Anya applied for an internship at a studio. She was invited for an interview, and then for the internship itself. What made the difference? Not having more projects, but giving each one more meaning.

Want a review like this? Write in the comments. P. S. Anya shared that during the interview, they specifically asked her about the case study we advised her to keep. So, focus is everything!»

Content #8: Telegram Post (Instructions)Type: text (long read)
Category: «Practice Assignments»
Visual: none (emojis in text only).
Text:«Before starting any test, check the following:
— Do you understand the business problem the task is solving? (If not—ask).
— Do you know who the target audience is? (If not—clarify).
— Do you understand exactly what is being evaluated? (The design? The logic? The speed?).
— Do you have a deadline and can you meet it? (If not—discuss the timeline).
— Are you ready to defend your solution? (Write a brief justification).If the answer to even one of these points is „no”—do not start. It is better to ask a question than to do the wrong thing.
P. S. Statistically, junior developers who ask clarifying questions before a test receive an offer 20% more often. Employers value initiative!“

Content #9: Telegram Post (Advice)Type: Text + Image (Email Screenshot)
Category: «Job Search»
Visual: Email screenshot: a template email titled «Hello, I am looking for a job.»
Text:«You send the exact same resume for every job opening. The employer sees this. The job description says, ‘experience with identity design, ’ but you write, ‘I want to develop my design skills.’Rule: One resume—one job application. Spend 10 minutes rewriting your cover letter to fit the specific company. This drastically increases your chances.
Don’t believe it? Try it on your next application and tell us in the comments what changed.
P. S. The average HR professional spends 6 seconds reading a cover letter. Make sure they understand why you are the perfect fit for their company within that time!»

Content #10: Video (Announcement)Type: Video (Reels/Shorts/TikTok)
Category: «Mentors’ Q&As»
Visuals: Dynamic montage: an expert looking into the camera, with flickering portfolio snippets and a laptop screen showing a Zoom call in the background.Script (Voiceover):«(0–5 sec) Host looks into the camera. On-screen text: „Your portfolio will be reviewed live.“
(5–15 sec) Host: „This Thursday at 7:00 PM, we are hosting an open call with a practicing UI/UX designer. We will review 5 of our followers’ portfolios.“
(15–25 sec) Host: „We will show you how employers view these projects, point out immediate mistakes, and provide concrete steps on what to fix.“
(25–30 sec) On-screen text: „Want a review? Comment ‚I want it‘ and send a link to your portfolio. We will select 5 participants.“
(30–35 sec) Host winks: „Last time, one participant received an internship invitation in just one week. So don’t miss this chance! Link to the channel is in the profile bio.“»