How to craft a job-winning art & design resume

As an art creator, you communicate your ideas to the world in a unique way.

Whether you work as a designer, photographer or a video editor, your prospective employer will certainly expect a distinctive manner you appeal to them.

This guide will provide you with handy tips on how to successfully craft a jaw-dropping art & design resume.

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Keep reading and learn:

• How to masterfully format your art & design resume
• How to craft a jaw-dropping professional summary
• The most impressive soft and hard skills to put on your art & design CV
• How to craft a balanced work experience section
• How to include academic achievements in your education section
• How to create dedicated extra sections to complement your art & design CV

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1. How to masterfully format your art & design resume

There is no doubt that when it comes to formatting an art & design resume, one might expect an impeccable, maybe even unique, format.

There's a variety of creative options you can use to spruce up your CV, and you should certainly take advantage of them. 

Nevertheless, you'll also need to make sure that your format is adding value to your content and not distracting from it. 

Remember not to overdo it. Most companies claim to prefer traditional resumes. Subtle color, or personalized graphic elements as focal points might work like a charm.

Follow these tips for a balanced resume format:

• Set one-inch margins on all sides.
• Keep your page count low, and effectively distribute your art resume sections. The best way to consider may be a two-column layout. 
• Include the following CV sections: contact details, professional profile, soft and hard skills, work experience, education and additional sections.
• If you are a seasoned artist with a lot of professional experience to offer, opt for a reverse-chronological format.
• On the other hand, if you are just breaking into the field, use a functional resume, turning the spotlight on your competencies and education.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. How to write a jaw-dropping professional summary for your art & design resume

Just like the most representative art piece in your portfolio, your professional profile should blow the hiring manager away.

How much time recruiters spend on reading your CV depends on how captivating and relevant your professional summary is. 

For a great art & design professional profile follow these tips:

• Market your best skills and relevant, measurable accomplishments rather than your daily duties.
• Use keywords from the job posting.
• Employ interesting adjectives such as performance-driven, knowledgeable, highly professional, etc.
• Use impactful verbs: produce, possess, mentor, develop, increment, spearhead, etc.

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3. What are the most impressive soft and hard skills to put on your art & design CV

Certain core skills may set the great job applicant in the art & design industry from the passable candidate. Since you surely aspire to be the great one, you will want to opt for the best combination of technical competencies and soft skills.

Use hard skills that fit the job position you are applying for, and remember to complement them with your relevant talents and abilities. After all, thanks to your soft skills you are able to harness the full potential of the technical ones.

Combine them effectively, mentioning first the ones required in the job ad you are replying to, and stand out a mile.

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4. How to craft a balanced art & design work experience section

If your art & design related work history is not a blank canvas, then you can certainly make it your artistic triumph if you just put it right.

The following tips will help you craft a work experience section that will work like magic.

• Start with the most recent work experience.
• Use 4-6 bullet points.
• Incorporate keywords from the job posting.
• Be relevant and concise.
• Focus more on your accomplishments rather than your daily duties.
• Quantify your achievements for a higher effect.
• Employ impactful language.

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5. How to include academic achievements in your art & design education section

Depending on the job posting, you may be required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. 

Whether you do meet your prospective employer’s expectations on this end or not, it is a great practice to include related areas of interest or academic achievements. It might do the trick especially if you lack relevant work experience.

6. How to create dedicated extra sections to complement your art & design CV

Convince the hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate. What activities, courses, achievements or interests would back your superior professional aptness?

Create dedicated extra sections to convey your exceptional skills related to the role you are applying for.

If you are, for instance, a video editor, and you volunteered as one, this activity will become a very direct building block contributing to your professional background.

However, not all of your activities or interests need to directly reflect your video editing skills. If you like exploring distant lands, it can perfectly predetermine you for the job that requires travel.