If you're crafting your graphic design resume, celebrate the fact that you have some of the most flexibility in design of all the resumes out there. It's expected that a graphic designer's resume will be creative and interesting; take advantage of the flexibility afforded by your field. Use this flexibility to your advantage to make your resume stand out. These seven tips will help your resume rise to the top of the pile.
1. Tailor Your Resume To The Job
Research the company for which you hope to work. Then tailor your resume to suit the tone, flavor and brand of the company. If you're applying for a contract with IBM, make sure your resume is traditional, sleek and classic. If you're applying for a position at Aveda, choose an artsy theme. If you're looking to work for Abercrombie and Fitch, go modern and trendy. Think of your resume as an advertisement for the company, showing the company you will fit in perfectly.
2. Keep It Clean
Make sure your resume is easy to read, highly functional and impressive.
3. Limit Your Resume To One Page
Don't go on and on. Keep your descriptions tight and concise.
4. Link To An Online Graphic Designer Portfolio
Since most resumes are sent electronically these days, you should include a link to an online portfolio where you display samples of your work. All graphic designer portfolios are expected to showcase examples of many styles and formats. Make sure yours is fully developed.
5. Highlight Actual Experience
Even if you're fresh out of school, you should have some actual experience under your belt. If you don't have experience yet, volunteer your services for free in order to get some experience. Design your cousin's wedding invitations, your neighborhood's newsletter, your church's weekly programs or your grandfather's brochures for his business.
6. Provide References
Attach a separate page listing references. If possible, have reference statements-one or two lines about your work-plus the contact information, title and place of employment for every reference. That means address, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
7. Showcase Your Ability
Make sure you highlight many different types of projects. Emphasize the ones listed in the job description, but display your ability to work flexibly and to cover a multitude of tasks well. It's especially important to list all computer software programs and technical skills, since graphic designer jobs have become quite technical in scope.
 | If you want to start a graphic designer career, you'll have to evaluate your experience and education to see if you are prepared. These simple steps can get your graphic design career going. |
 | What is a graphic designer? Graphic designers are the artists of the world who help communicate visual information through a variety of media. |
 | If you'd like to become a graphic designer, you'll want to get started on preparations as soon as you can. The competition in graphic design careers can be somewhat stiff, so the more you prepare, the better. |
If you're creating your graphic design portfolio, you'll want to do several things to make sure your portfolio stands out from the rest. These suggestions can help you craft a premium portfolio. |
The history of graphic design goes back to drawings on cave walls and decorations on pottery. However, the formal history of graphic design-and the profession that has since ensued-came about in the early 20th century. |
