Sherry
Hello, fellow graphic artists! Are you weary of dispatching graphic designer resumes that appear to disappear into nothingness? You are not by yourself. The employment market for us is extremely competitive. However, the reality is this: an exceptional resume can be your gateway to securing that ideal job you've been pursuing.
I’m going to provide all the tips and techniques to assist you in crafting a graphic designer resume that recruiters will find irresistible. Let's be honest, your resume is frequently the initial impression a prospective employer gets of you. It resembles the front cover of an impressive design endeavor. Now, let's begin enhancing your resume to its fullest potential.
1. Formatting: The First Impression
Similar to how you concentrate on the overall appearance of your design projects, crafting a graphic designer resume centers around the format. It can either help you become noticeable or merge with the crowd.
Begin by organizing your resume into distinct sections. Consider it as dividing components in a design. You will include a Resume Header featuring your contact details and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Next, a Career Objective or Summary Statement will be included to offer a brief introduction. Following that, the sections on Work Experience, Education, Skills, and a few additional areas. It's akin to creating a structured layout; each element has its designated spot.
Choose a contemporary, resume-appropriate font, sized between 11 and 12 points. And don't neglect margins! An optimum equilibrium is achieved with 1.15 line spacing and 1 inch on each side. Use a simple yet effective title for your resume, such "Your Name + Graphic Designer + CV." Additionally, always save it as a PDF. Graphic designer resumes are typically formatted in this way, which ensures that they look great on all devices.
Resume formats vary. The reverse chronology structure, which highlights your most recent accomplishments, is similar to the traditional design style. However, if you're a creative person, you might want to think about a mix or functional (skill-based) approach. It's similar to giving a classic design a distinctive twist.
2. Pixso: Online Graphic Designer Resume Design Tool
Let me introduce you to Pixso, an incredible design tool, while you're honing your graphic designer resume and looking for those fantastic graphic design jobs. Pixso is an online collaborative web UI design tool that's free and full-featured. Whether you're a solo designer or part of a team, Pixso has you covered.
Pixso has built-in iOS and Android design system resources, like a design treasure trove at your fingertips. It also has the Pixso Community, a goldmine of design knowledge with top-notch specs from companies like Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance, Toutiao, and Ant Design. You'll find tons of design templates, materials, and local font resources, which can really help you stand out in your design projects.
Collaboration is a breeze with Pixso. All team members can work on the same document, and it offers a one-stop solution for prototyping, design, and delivery. You can get instant online comments and feedback, and sharing your work is a click away. Additionally, Pixso expedites the process by automatically supplying specification parameters and multi-platform code for simple design delivery. Additionally, cloud synchronization ensures data security by allowing you to work in any browser and keeping your content current.
3. Experience: The Heart of Your Graphic Designer Resume
I checked the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and trust me, the competition for graphic design jobs is no joke. Your resume really needs to shine, and the experience section is the star.
When writing your work experience, read the job description like a top-secret design brief. Tailor your graphic designer resume to fit it perfectly. Pick out your most impressive achievement and give it a spotlight in a bullet point. Start each bullet with a different action word. It's like using different design tools for each element, making your resume more dynamic.
Here's a crucial tip: talk about your accomplishments, not just your duties. Everyone has tasks at work, but achievements are what get you hired. And whenever possible, throw in some numbers. "Increased brand awareness by 40% with a new logo design" sounds way better than "Designed a logo".
If you're new to the field and lack experience, don't worry. Maybe you did some freelance work or had a side project. Highlight those on your graphic designer resumes. It's like finding hidden design gems in your portfolio.
4. Education: Show Your Roots
Including your education on your graphic designer resumes is a must. It's like showing the foundation of a building you designed. A high school diploma can work if presented well. Even an unfinished college degree can be included, as long as you do it right.
In the education section, list your degree, school name and location, and graduation date. If you're short on work experience, add extra details. Mention your majors, minors, extracurriculars, a high GPA (3.5 or above is great), relevant coursework, any honors, or if you studied abroad. It's like adding extra layers to your graphic designer resume to make it more interesting.
If you're still in school, focus on your passions and achievements so far. For example, "Currently working on a branding project for a local startup. Favorite area of study: Graphic Design for Marketing." It shows you're on the right track for those graphic design jobs.
5. Skills: Your Design Arsenal in Graphic Designer Resume
Did you know recruiters spend only about 7 seconds on a graphic designer resume? Crazy, right? So, you need a great set of skills to catch their eye.
Research shows graphic designers usually list around 16.8 skills on their graphic designer resumes. Common ones for graphic design jobs include graphic design, logo creation, social media design, branding, and image editing. But don't just list skills randomly. Read the job description carefully. Highlight relevant skills and make a master list of all your skills - both hard and soft.
Include software skills like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), and any other tools you're proficient in. Limit your resume skills list to about 10 professional skills the company is seeking. You can find clues in the job ad and on their website. It's like custom-tailoring your design skills for each job application.
6. Additional Sections: The Extras That Matter
Your experience, education, and skills are great, but there's more you can add to your graphic designer resume. These extra sections are like the bonus features in a well-designed app.
You can include licenses and certifications, language abilities, freelancing experience, related projects, conferences attended, publications, design association affiliations, hobbies and interests, awards, and volunteer work. But be selective. Only include information relevant to the graphic design jobs you're applying for.
For example, if you have an Adobe certification, you should include it. If you've won a design prize, that's a huge advantage. But don't include weird interests. Make sure they reflect your creativity or work ethic.
7. Summary or Objective: A Teaser for Graphic Designer Resume
Let's chat about the beginning of your graphic design CV. You can select either a summary or an aim. A summary is appropriate for designers with some expertise, whereas an aim is ideal for those just starting out.
For a summary, use this formula: Adjective + Graphic Designer + Years of Experience + Achievements + Skills + What You Want to Do for the Employer. For an objective: Adjective(s)/Certificate(s) + Your Job Title or Degree + seeking employment as a Graphic Designer at + Company Name + to apply my + Your Relevant Skills + to help + What Do You Want To Help The Company Achieve.
The key to landing an interview may be a strong aim or synopsis. Similar to an app's splash screen, it entices the recruiter to learn more.
8. Online Portfolio: Show, Don't Just Tell
As a graphic designer, you must showcase your work. An online portfolio functions similarly to a digital exhibition. It's where you can truly shine in the graphic design job application process.
Select the appropriate platform for your portfolio. You can even make a personal website. Then choose your best work. Consider the things that are most pertinent to the graphic design positions you are interested in. Additionally, remember to include context in your designs. Describe the project's objectives and any honors or recognition they have received.
9. Adding a Personal Touch to Your Cover Letter to Enhance Your Resume
Finally, don't overlook the cover letter. It's like the personalized note that comes with a great design. A well-written cover letter can really boost your chances of getting an interview.
Format it to match your graphic designer resume. Start with passion and mention a few of your achievements. Don't write more than one page. Finally, recommend a time for the meeting. It's similar to gently encouraging the recruiter to move forward.
Final Thoughts
Even with templates, creating a strong graphic designer resume is difficult. However, if you follow these instructions, you will be on the right path. Begin by understanding the job description. Then, highlight your education, demonstrate your abilities, include other parts, and don't forget your portfolio and cover letter. Also, as you advance in your graphic design career, consider adopting Pixso. It can be a game changer for your design job, and having it on your resume is an extra benefit. So, go ahead and begin building your impressive graphic designer resumes today!
