How to Create the Eye Catching Designer Resume like a Pro
In today’s modern world it is all about the packaging. No wonder graphic designers are so sought after these days. Their skills are put to test every now and then, when their clients expect them to come up with something unique and novel. However, their real test begins from the time they submit their resumes for a job opening.
The prospective employers expect that the designer uses some of his skills in his resume so that they get a sneak peek into his or her talent. Well, this is surely an added on pressure. But, a little thinking and some experimentation is all that you need to come up with an eye catching designer resume that will get you to much needed rosy points from your prospective employers from the word go.
This is really not as complicated as it sounds. Here are a few tips that will help you design such a resume template and ace up your chances of landing that much coveted job.
1. Ditch MS Word and Go for a High End Software
There is no denying the fact that MS Word is the most preferred software when it comes to creating a resume. But, mind you! You are thinking of designing a resume that matches your skills. So, MS Word is a definite no-no for you. It would be a good idea instead to try your hands at some high end DTP software like Illustrator, InDesign etc. These allow you to add in some fun elements to your resume which would be proof enough of the world of talent that is hidden within you. The best thing about using these is that you can save the documents thus created in PDF format which is easily accessible and highly compatible with all systems.
2. Add in the Must Have Elements
In your gusto to design a designer resume template don’t forget that the real essence of it is still the elements that you add in it. Thus, make sure that you add in all the crucial elements and information that your prospective employers will want to know about you. This should include your personal details like date of birth, address, contact details etc. You should also add in the complete information about your education starting from high school to your latest degree. The same holds true for your work experience. In case, you have attended some specialized courses, make sure to mention these in your resume. Also, don’t forget to mention the various accomplishments and awards you may have gathered over the years for your work.
3. Pay Attention to the Layout
The layout of your resume can speak volumes about your skills and talent. So, one of the best ways to impress your prospective employers is to give a twist to your resume layout. You need to do this with some élan without going overboard as this could take away the whole point. So, think of a layout that is impressive enough but at the same time does not take away the emphasis from the resume content.
4. Typography Matters
As a designer you ought to experiment with fonts and typography day in and day out. Well, using the right one in your resume is the first test of this. You need to choose a font that looks elegant but at the same time oozes professional charm. This means that you need to display your talent here without trying to seem too desperate. It would be a good idea to go for fonts that are highly readable like Times Roman or Helvetica.
5. Add in Work Samples
Don’t forget that your work speaks for you. So, adding in a few work samples in your resume can actually prove to be beneficial for you. The resume screening committee is sure to take this into account when short listing the candidates. Make sure to add in your best works to the resume. In case, you have an online portfolio, it would be a great idea to add its link to your resume. Since most often you start off by sending a soft copy by mail, this will surely help the prospective employer to quickly take a look into your work.
6. Personal Projects can Make your Day
When it comes to displaying your work, you need not necessarily share the work that you have done for others. You can always go ahead and share links of the personal projects that you have created to appease the artist in you. In fact, your prospective employers are sure to appreciate these more as this would give them an idea of your creative streak.
7. Keep it to the Point
Remember that people these days have a short attention span. Coupled with the fact that they are also very busy, long spun resume can call for an utter disaster. So, though you may have a lot to talk about and a number of accomplishments to flaunt, it is always better to keep your resume short and to the point. If you really have a long list of accomplishments and qualifications, take some time out to decide which ones are the most consequential and just add these to your resume template. However, another thing that you need to keep in mind is that you should provide authentic information in your resume. In today’s times, cross checking a fact is really not that hard. So, no matter how high the temptation to lie, don’t give in to it.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and update your resume and give it a touch of your creativity. After all, since you are a designer, your resume should look like it belongs to you.
