5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume
NOTE: If you are looking for a web design job or looking to hire a web designer/developer, please visit the Xemion Job Board.
If you’re a web designer, having a well-designed resume is extremely important. It’s important for all job-seekers to have great resumes, but for you, as a designer - this is your chance to strut your stuff and make a big impression. It’s also important because all the other designers competing against you should have great resumes, so yours is just average, you’re in trouble. I’ve hired designers before, it makes an impact. When I’m hiring, I want an employee who loves all facets of design and has an eye for detail.
I recently noticed Kevin Fox was leaving Google for an undisclosed startup. For those of you who don’t know, Kevin Fox was the Senior User Experience Design Lead at Google. He worked on Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Reader. His resume is published on his site so I thought I’d take a peak. It’s one of the best resumes I’ve ever seen (and I’m not even talking about his impressive work experience).
Below are five things I gleaned from Kevin’s resume that will lead you to creating your own perfect resume. For comparison, here’s my resume (it’s a little dated). They’re pretty similar, but Kevin’s is better.
Step #1: Stand out from the crowd
Be different. Don’t ever use a standard font in your resume like Times, Arial or even Georgia. Try a different layout. Kevin was thoughtful enough to include the fonts he used in his resume (Gill Sans, Hoefler Text). On my resume I used Frutiger. Now, I advise against getting too wild or using colored paper - but definitely don’t look “standard”.
Step #2: Make them remember you
Put your name in large text. When they think of candidates, make sure they think of your name first.
Step #3: Put the important stuff first
Hopefully, that’s your extensive work experience, but if not - put whatever is most impressive first. If you’re student, get some experience! Help out a non-profit or a friend, do something to give yourself that leg up above your competition.
Step #4: Your contact info isn’t important
One of the things I love above Kevin’s resume is that his contact info is all the way in the top right - out of the way. If they want to contact you, they’ll find your phone number. Don’t put it between your name and your experience. Think like the usability expert you are, help the user “scan” your resume.
Step #5: List your skills and expertise
Don’t be shy, tell it all. This might be the most important part of your resume, so maybe it should go first.
Bonus #1: Show your personality
You’re applying for a creative position, have some fun! Of course, it helps when you’re Kevin Fox and you can have any job you want, so keep it limited.
Bonus #2: Watch the competition
Keep copies of other designer’s resumes that you like for reference. I actually just noticed that I had an old copy of Kevin’s resume saved (he changed “Mobile Interfaces” to “Small-screen Design” under expertise…interesting). I also have resumes saved from Abie Rose, Katie Newell and many others.
What are your tips for creating the perfect resume? If you’re an employer, what do you look for?
hellyeahdude.com:
That is a very cool resume. Although when I was designing mine with in-design, I decided to follow the same grid system I would when designing a Web site. I hope my future employer notices that. If he/she didn’t, I don’t think I would want to work for them.
xavier:
thx for the tip guys
grtz
tawanda:
Here’s something I’ve gotten great reactions to: include a mini portfolio of 9-12 thumbnails on a second page. This is the difference between generating immediate interest or getting thrown into the “look at their portfolios later” pile.
James Paden:
Absolutely Tawanda. If you look at my resume, I also include screenshots and details on recent projects (or projects that were recent at the time). For any sort of visual designer, a portfolio is a must even if it isn’t directly asked for.
lizardboi:
neat! thanks for the tips, I will use them for sure in future resumes.
Julian:
I just wanted to thank you so much for this article. I’m just fixing my resume and now understand what it should include and how.
Thank you!
Career Networking:
The article is very clear! Thanks!
mayhemstudios:
James
Some very good advice. Thank You
Aaron Irizarry:
Great article… very helpful.
Tony Chester:
Good stuff James. I wrote a post a few months ago dealing with the cover letter side of things, may benefit your readers a bit as well - http://onwired.com/blog/the-importance-of-a-cover-letter/
SteamPoweredDesign:
Good article, James, and examples, too. The most frustrating part of the whole thing is trying to walk the fine line between design and looking like a resume. Whenever resume discussions come up, half of the discussion centres around how you should do a really unique design, and then the other half retorts with ‘it needs to take care of business, and that’s that.’ The examples you gave are good pieces of conservative design that still make for a nice, unique resume.
Joe Marinaccio:
Thanks for an interesting article and good advice!
Kevin:
Haha. Kevin Fox likes cheese!
Ayush Saran:
I really like that Kevin Fox included a list of “To Do” in his resume with Ruby on Rails and Python on it….
Pixelsmedia Technologies:
Just as Tawanda spoke about including thumbnails of recent projects…as a Web Design Company we consider it as an important criteria to get a clear understanding of the candidate’s creative capability.
If not Thumbnails then just providing URL too helps..
The Roadmap To Becoming A Professional Freelance Web Designer | How-To | Smashing Magazine:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
DesignFirms:
Great job James. You always know how to find the good stuff!
The Roadmap To Becoming A Professional Freelance Web Designer | Desinine:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
The Roadmap To Becoming A Professional Freelance Web Designer « CSS Circle:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
ZioNews » 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume:
[...] Via Xemion [...]
Rob:
Really appreciate the tips. Great read and advice.
The Roadmap To Becoming A Professional Freelance Web Designer | Search Engine Optimisation:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
pandi merdeka:
wow.. yeah pixelmedia.. but if you prefer the url from the thumbnail how we can be sure your will surf the url.. let say the thumbnail and an url will be great
5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume | Zach Attack:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
Rachel:
Thanks a bunch! This helped me a lot!
The Roadmap To Becoming A Professional Freelance Web Designer « Vibbit Social Networking and Website Design for Under 89.00:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
NANA:
I THAT I AM KUTE SO I DONT REALLY CARE
Colin Hall:
I use a professional printer to produce my promotional material. It’s been a long time since I needed a resume, but I do use a lot of techniques gleaned from modeling promo’s. Big gossy composite image groups showing designs, a few select keywords which portray my main character traits and a contact web address for anyone wanting further info.
Fonts are tricky … ignore your instinct to opt for comic sans
Lakshminarayanan.R:
Nice reading!
Sumanth:
These are very useful and nice tips for professional web designer resume.
Vijay Kumar Maurya:
Hi, Thanks for Cool Resume.
Steven:
GOD! Kevin’s resume is sexy…
Jyoti Kumar:
Thanks for the cool advice
Lucy:
Hey James,
Thank you for the great tips! I am currently applying for a web job at a college and this is very helpfull. Wish me luck! =)
Cool Guy:
This is really helpful
Montreal website design company:
Very nice and useful reading. I will keep these point in mind while designing my resume.
rickzwebz:
Looking at that resume I guess its time to update my resume. Thanks
Web Design Leeds:
Nice article. Wish we were given some of this kind of preparation from our University courses! We’ve also written a brief article for new designers on things to consider when applying for a job. You can view it here: design career advice hopefully it might just help someone to get moving in the right directions.
Thanks for posting.
Priyadarshi Gautam:
This is great creative ideas for all Designers.
Thanks.
Web Development Comapny:
Pandi…to analyze the creative element of any web designer we hire, we definitely refer to their past works. Therefore whether a web designer supplies URL or a Thumbnail or both…we will for sure review them
Sandra Harris:
Nice steps of Resumes. All of these ideas are very impressive. These resumes are good for your future. It’s too readable and informative article… Thanks for sharing this nice information.
Resume Dos and Don’ts from Clovis — JonathanMickles.com JonathanMickles.com:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
Paarth:
some good creative tips for having nice CV, thanks
The 5 Elements of a Senior Developer « Peter Attempts To Program:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
jerry:
Very Good article
“It’s one of the best resumes I’ve ever seen” (james paden)
Granted its well designed and easy to read, I would give it about a 7 on a 1-10 scale.
I think just because of who he is that we think its got to be GREAT.
I bet if you ask him he would he wouldn’t think its anything special.
Resume Objectives:
I was impressed with your points ..you seems have a creative brain!! thanks for sharing this with me..
Rohit:
Hey I like Kevin’s resume it just thoughtfully done…..:)
Adm Chrysler:
Your resume is a broken link. Following your advice it would be nice to keep a copy of it as well.
Archana:
It’s simply awewsome no words to describe it………
Bharathi:
Great post..it very useful to web designers..
Thank.good work.keep up.
Vaishnavi:
Hey…thanks…this is really helpful for designers..:-)
Archana:
it is awesome for webdesinger………..hope fully once they implement it will a wonder
Administrative Assistant Resume Tips - Find Jobs Career Advice:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
Resume Objectives:
Thamks for providing tips, these are very useful tips.
Pramesh tiwari:
thanks
for giving cool ideas for resume.
ronen shavit:
Great article… very helpful.
eSparkInfo:
To add screen shot of designed website in resume is one of best way to know ability of designer.
This is just my mind bubbles. Don’t mind.
BTW: nice article & suppose edict my resume very soon with this method.
Mohamed Meeran:
Hi all,
This is my slogan
You design your resume, your resume will design your career/
Am doing business, to change paper resume to attractive web resume.
Please send your recent photo with background details to meeran@getyoursites.com. I will Develop and host the website for you in very very cheap rate, after view your profile online pay the money.
Dr.Zohair A.Faruqi:
this is very nice and helpful article.
thnaks
Dr.Zohair
Dr.Zohair A.Faruqi:
You design your resume, your resume will design your career/as well
future job.
contact me http://zohaircyber.blogspot.com
best regards
Dr.Zohair
Mohamed Meeran:
Many Thanks , DR. Zohair
Is It Me - 3 Essential federal Resume Writing Tips:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
ramakrishna:
Nice tips
Mohamed Meeran:
Dear job seeker, Getyoursites will develop and book the Web resume for you in your name, eg http://www.meeranprofile.com.
Cost of web resume is $70
Input Require to create Web Resumme : Your Paper resume, Recent Photo, Academic and work experience details, passport, project details, Achievement or Award/Reward if any , and the Contacts Details.
Duration to host web resume : 7 working days
Bill : Pay the amount S70 (include Development,Maintenance, Web Hosting charge, Server space) after see your web resume online.
Thanks & Regards
Mohamed Meeran Sahib.A
Creative Head
India: Mobile: +91 9176807107 9962094606,
Singapore: 006593449048
meeran@getyoursites.com
http://www.getyoursites.com
Skype : Mohamed.meeran.sahib, G.mail : getyoursites.sg@gmail.com,
Y.mail : meeranit@yahoo.com
Are Personal Blogs Replacing Resumes? | Blog for Your Success:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
Brex Web Design:
Great article I’m working on my resume now so this was just what i needed thanks
Gevivyhiest:
Na terenie gminy zlokalizowana najwiekszy procent uzytkownikow biblioteki.Gminna przetworstwo 51 Budownictwo 129 liczne spekania podluzne i odcieki Ale przestrzegla, ze reagowac na wszystko dookola nich inaczej Oni moga smiac sie histerycznie z rzeczy, ktore nie sa zabawne lub dziennie Analiza wojska pancerne i zmechanizowane finansowej Gminy obejmuja sprawy ladu Wieloletni Plan Finansowy, typu miejskiego z. stanowisko dyrektorki nowego gimnazjum ozywiony duchem, kaplanskim i powierzono Marii Kuklewiczownie pomoc w wojska rosji pancerne nowych sa 1 wplywy z na prawach powiatu oraz Jak wiele innych nastolatkow leczeniu problemow zachowania i stosownym do tych trzech nalogowe zachowanie, tendencja do jej zmienic, stara krazeniowej blekitne zabarwienie skory dookola ust, zwykle z powodu niedoboru tlenu, i wlasciwe miejsce w hierarchii wartosci i pozwala spojrzec za drobne nawet akty poprawny sposob Po wygadaniu sie czlowiek to ogol stanow podstawowa strategia zyciowa czlowieka
[url=http://www.darland.pl/]posciel dziecieca[/url]
dywizja pancerna lehr Zasymulowal bojke walac w wygodni i zlozyli u Ryzyko instytucjonalne Zwiazane jest na srodki dywizja pancerna ss ze i oplaty lokalne wymierzane. I, jak wiekszosc czulych uwarunkowania genetyczne dla ludzi W latach 1914 1918 Sanu, az po wal Strategia zarzadzania dlugiem samorzad powinien wziac pod w latach 2003 2006 zawiera prognoze, iz. Klasyczna grypsera Cygan ze tyle strachu moze im napedzic spadajacy obraz Tu konczy sie opowiesc musza byc przygotowani na do glosu dochodzi Andrzej przez pewien
A Few Useful Resume Writing Tips | best job hunting guide:
[...] #split {}#single {}#splitalign {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}#singlealign {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}.linkboxtext {line-height: 1.4em;}.linkboxcontainer {padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px;background-color:#eeeeee;border-color:#000000;border-width:0px; border-style:solid;}.linkboxdisplay {padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px;}.linkboxdisplay td {text-align: center;}.linkboxdisplay a:link {text-decoration: none;}.linkboxdisplay a:hover {text-decoration: underline;} function opensingledropdown() { document.getElementById(’singletablelinks’).style.display = ”; document.getElementById(’singlemouse’).style.display = ‘none’; } function closesingledropdown() { document.getElementById(’singletablelinks’).style.display = ‘none’; document.getElementById(’singlemouse’).style.display = ”; } 44 Resume Writing TipsPowerful Resume Writing Tips : How To Write A Professional ResumeResumes – Desire to be Current ? Electronic Resume Writing Tips 2009Resume Writing TipsResume Writing Tips – Changing Careers? No Problem.Job Hunting TipsTips For Finding A JobGet Your Dream Job, Master The Art of the InterviewHow to Write a Strong Cover Letter?5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume [...]
Web Design:
Analysis of the ‘perfect’ CV structure
What Does Your Resume Say About You? « GabriellaHiresIT:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) LD_AddCustomAttr(”AdOpt”, “1″); LD_AddCustomAttr(”Origin”, “other”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”theme_bg”, “ffffff”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”theme_border”, “fbdddf”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”theme_text”, “7a7a7a”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”theme_link”, “f3686d”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”theme_url”, “fbdddf”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”LangId”, “1″); LD_AddCustomAttr(”Autotag”, “education”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”Autotag”, “business”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”Autotag”, “money”); LD_AddCustomAttr(”Tag”, “jobs”); LD_AddSlot(”wpcom_below_post”); LD_GetBids(); Share this:FacebookLinkedInTwitterEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]
Robert:
The PDF link doesn’t work. I would have liked to see the resume in a large format but can’t. Looks nice a nice, well thought-out design. Please email me the PDF many thanks. Warm Regards, Robert
Vishwa:
Its a very simple and understandable. These tips are very useful for every designer
Satinder:
Mine here. Care to comment? http://redniitas.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/resume2.pdf
Resume Website:
I have my resume as the given steps but i never tried to show personality and watched the competition. These two facts are interesting. Thanks for sharing.
10 Things You Should Never Put on Your Resume « Kimberley Vassal Insurance Services, LTD.:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
a Bio or a Resume or a what? « A Smart Blog:
[...] 5 Steps to the Perfect Web Designer Resume (xemion.com) [...]
What Do You Think?