Design your resume

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When you're looking for a job as a graphic designer, having a solid portfolio is a must. And you won't want to lose sight of your resume. A professional, well-crafted document lets you showcase your other skills – like being a good communicator, a results-driven individual or a team player. What else should your resume include? Read on to learn a few key tips.
A graphic designer resume is a document that lists your work experience, education and skills in the field of graphic design. Its purpose is to help you land a role as a graphic designer, so it should highlight accomplishments and abilities that make you come across as the perfect candidate for the job.
Given that this is a creative industry, you may choose to forgo the traditional resume format and lump for a creative resume that truly showcases your personality. If you're applying for a position within an established or traditional corporation, a more standard reverse chronological resume is often a safe choice.
Download this template at Canva
Download this template at VisualCV
First of all, a graphic designer resume needs to be eye-grabbing from a design standpoint. Think clean design elements, appealing fonts and easy-to-scan sections.
Beyond that, your resume ought to be:
A graphic designer resume should focus on what makes you a good candidate for the job you're applying for. In other words, it should incorporate keywords from the job description and respect the format the employer wants.
Additionally, include the following sections:
You don't have to spend money to create a beautiful and persuasive resume. As a graphic designer, you'll already have the skills to craft a resume that pops from scratch.
However, if you find it difficult to put your skills and experience into words, a graphic designer resume template can give you a head start. You usually download it as a Word or PDF document and then edit it, replacing the filler information with your own. Templates can also be a life-saver when you're short on time and need to send in a job application quickly.
There are plenty of free resume templates to choose from, though you might have to browse to find out that perfectly suits your style. Paid graphic designer resume templates cost from $5 to $15 and are generally more professional-looking. They usually come bundled with a matching cover letter template.
Alternatively, you can hire resume writing services, but they can be expensive. A resume writer may charge hundreds of dollars to create a personalised resume.
As a graphic designer, you're probably more focused on building a portfolio than on writing a resume that stands out from the crowd. But your resume is often the first thing a potential employer sees. So, it's important to take the time to get it right.
Should I include a separate resume section for my portfolio?
While including the link to your website or online portfolio is typically enough, you might dedicate a section of the resume to showcasing your work. Use it to list the designs you've worked on (e.g. e-book cover, infographic design, brochure design).
How can I get work experience as a graphic designer?
You can build your portfolio by picking up freelance gigs on websites like UpWork or joining online contests on sites like 99 Designs. Alternatively, challenge yourself to create mock-ups of websites, flyers, magazines or whatever it is you're specifically keen on.
Do I need a cover letter?
Usually, yes. Read the job description carefully to figure out the application process, but most employers do ask for a cover letter. Ideally, it would match the design of your resume.
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