7 Ways to Create a Stunning Graphic Designer Resume
Featured Image: Pexels/Lukas
Dear Applicant,
You suck! Please take out some time to create an interesting resume because we have certainly seen better graphic designers with online portfolios included with their submission. Needless to say, after careful consideration of your (very boring) profile, we dumped it in the bin.
Yours Sincerely
Not-in-Your-Dreams Company
Acknowledged, most rejection letters don’t sound like this, but underneath the hidden sheath of nice words, they mean to say, your work sucks!
Heartbreaker, isn’t it? Let’s face facts – there’s a fair chance that a rejection letter could land into your inbox. This is not a plot to scare you; it’s a plan to prepare you for your future in the big, bad of graphic designing.
Resumes are an extensive list of all your professional and academic achievements. We all know that a well-structured resume is an important part of a job application, but for graphic designers, it goes one step further. Since design is a major part of your job description, you must treat your resume as a canvas to project, or should I say “show off” your skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US unemployment rate was 6.6% in January 2014, which is the lowest the country has hit in five years, but in the world of graphic designing, where illustrated articles have made their way into the New York Times, the task of scoring a dream job is still as competitive as ever. Being a part of a fast-paced economy, designers are experiencing the need to work harder and harder in order to prove their worth in this competitive design industry.
Whether you are trying to break away from the grind of an existing job or stepping into a new career as a freelance designer, here is some advice to make a great first impression on your employers and clients.
1. Create a masterpiece, not a mess!
Have you ever heard of the term organized chaos? Well, that’s what you need to do. Let your creativity flow but try to channel it into structured presentation. Use your graphic designing skills in your CV to exhibit your artistic side, not to bungle it. Think from your employers’ perspective – with hundreds of CVs pouring in, they don’t have the time to figure out what your creative mess is saying. Create a profile which neatly demonstrates who you are and what you do. The challenge is to be imaginative while also being organized, so that the person reviewing your profile can easily see your potential. Here’s an example:
2. Say it with a graph
Skill set graphs look so cool and are able to graphically define how adept you are with certain tasks. Instead of using words or sentences, you can simply add a graph like the one below:
3. Divide it up
Unable to fit all your accomplishments on a single page? Divide and conquer! Although a one-page CV is considered a masterpiece for designers, or any industry for that matter, it’s okay to compile yours into pages if necessary. Some graphic designers have experience and education which is very lengthy and cannot be squeezed into one page. Instead, create a booklet style CV like this one if the need arises:
4. Show them your flare
Did you notice that the CV above also includes some examples of work created by the designer? This is always a good idea when you want employers see some of your portfolio. Graphic designing is a vast field, so try to include work which is relevant to the post you are applying for.
5. Funny side up
Employers like to see your personality through your resume. Adding a humorous aspect is a great way to win them over. I love the coffee pot representation in the CV below. Who would have thought the amount of coffee consumed daily is worth mentioning in a resume, but it actually gives it an interesting and memorable touch.
6. Aim, target, shoot!
Employers know you’re throwing your CV around at any company you feel is worth working for, but you can make them feel that you actually chose to work for them by specifically targeting your CV towards them. You can take some inspiration from some of the websites below, which specifically aim at grabbing the attention of the company they want to work for.
7. Don’t forget, content is king
Last but not least, don’t make the far-fetched assumption that design is everything. Focus on content too. Knowing a thing or two about copywriting can be a major perk in your graphic designing career. You can show this skill by planning out the content in your CV and adding some concise, catchy taglines.
There! Your guide to make yourself employable by your dream company. Look at it this way, your resume is the best place for you to brag about your achievements, not your friends at the bar. And since you’ve got the bragging rights, you must do it with style.
So you think you are a top notch graphic designer? Show us.
