Are You Resume Savvy?

from Web Design Dispatch

Checked my inbox and was happy to see this post What Recruiters Look for in a Resume  on the SimplyHired Blog. The article breaks down the criteria in a logical fashion. You need to present a resume that outlines your:

Work experience/ employment dates
Software packages & technology
Education
Success- If you’ve won awards, increased Web traffic, etc.

I want to add two more things to this list for professional designers. Your resume needs to have:

1. Portfolio or link to your design samples 
2. A clear, well-designed identity (your brand)

 Graphic designer’s resumes must be carefully thought out, designed pieces.

I don’t mean to say that your resume has to have over-the-top typography, reverse type on a color, over-sized glyph elements, or some 3-D component. I mean that the page must be easily scannable AND elegantly designed. This is the most important marketing piece you’ll ever work on, because the product you’re selling is YOU.

When recently tasked with reviewing resumes for a graphic designer position, I scanned the applications of 200+ respondents—quickly weeding out the poorly designed ones first; art directors and hiring managers don’t want to see MS Word Resume Wizard! I also weeded out CVs with no portfolio link or samples.

When there is one job and 200 applicants, the designers who present the best first impression (i.e. resume/portfolio design) get the interview.