How to write the perfect product designer CV in 2023

Crafting a compelling product designer resume can be your game-changer in 2023. Whether you're starting out or seeking advancement, a well-crafted resume matters.

Product Specialist Resume Template

Hired by

Product Design Engineer Resume Example

Product Analyst CV Example

Hired by

Rest assured, our resume tips are designed to turn heads in the right direction. And so, read on and learn how to:

• Put your personal information on a product designer resume
• Include relevant keywords in your product designer professional summary
• Select a winning combination of skills for your product designer CV
• Effectively list education in your product designer resume
• Select relevant extra sections for your product designer resume

1. Personal information to put on your product designer resume

When it comes to personal information on your product designer resume, it's important to strike a balance between providing relevant details and maintaining professionalism.

Include essential information such as:

• full name
• contact information (phone number and email address)
• location

Additionally, consider including a link to your portfolio or personal website, where potential employers can view your design work and projects. 

Keep in mind that you should include at least three of your projects, maintaining the number below six. You may want to showcase only your best work, particularly the projects that are similar to what your potential employer has been working on. 

Will it require a bit of investigation? Definitely. But it will surely bear fruit.

And last but not least, remember to avoid oversharing and never include sensitive data. The key is to keep your personal details brief and relevant for the hiring manager to contact you.

Try our AI Resume Writer and have your resume ready in minutes!

Our AI Resume Writer can generate a great first draft of your resume in seconds. Simply enter your job title and let artificial intelligence find the right words for your resume.

Try AI Resume Writer

2. Product designer resume summary for your CV

Any busy hiring manager may first just skim through your resume summary. 

But what if they don't find the attributes they have been looking for from the very beginning? Well, your product designer resume might be disregarded even before anyone can dive into your work experience or education sections.

It's crucial to align your resume summary with the job posting by including keywords directly from the job ad.

For instance, if the job description emphasizes skills such as user interface design, user experience optimization, and product development, ensure these exact phrases find their way into your summary. 

By mirroring the job posting's language, you immediately demonstrate your suitability for the role and catch the recruiter's attention.

What’s more, you’ll certainly be in touch with other designers, engineering team, stakeholders and clients, potentially making sure everybody is heading in the right direction. So, besides the key expressions that appear in the job posting, remember to include your managerial skills.

3. The best skills for your product designer resume

In the ever-evolving world of product design, the key to crafting an outstanding resume is to strike the perfect balance between your hard and soft skills.

Hard skills are teachable abilities or knowledge acquired through education, training, or experience. Your product designer resume should showcase a robust arsenal of hard skills.

But you should make sure that you first mention hard skills stated in the job posting you're interested in. Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Figma is certainly a fundamental requirement. Mastery of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles is non-negotiable. Highlight your expertise in creating wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to visualize your concepts. 

Fluent knowledge of coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be a significant asset, allowing you to collaborate more effectively with developers.

Soft skills, on the other hand, go beyond just the technical know-how (hard skills). They speak for your ability to collaborate, communicate, and adapt. They’re often the secret sauce that sets exceptional product designers apart. 

Effective communication is paramount, ensuring that your vision aligns with the team's and stakeholders' expectations. Collaboration is essential when working within cross-functional teams, enabling you to harmonize diverse ideas into a cohesive design. 

Adaptability is key, as the design process frequently evolves, and being open to feedback ensures continuous improvement. In addition, a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to user–centered design principles will enhance your craft.

4. Work experience and projects on your product designer resume

Let's dive into one of the most crucial parts of your product designer resume — the "Work Experience and Projects" section. This is where you get to showcase your skills in action.

Remember, it's not just about listing your previous jobs. It's about telling a compelling story of how you contributed to those companies.

And such a story can only be written with the perfect elements in it:

• Keywords from the job posting: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description to align with the employer's expectations.
• Quantifiable achievements: Showcase your accomplishments using specific numbers, percentages, or figures whenever possible.
• Strong action verbs: Utilize strong action verbs to begin your bullet points, injecting vitality into your achievements.
• Powerful adjectives: Use powerful adjectives that add depth and context to your resume, making your experiences more engaging
• Conciseness: Keep your descriptions concise and focused, highlighting your most impactful contributions.
• Industry jargon: Employ industry-specific terminology to convey your familiarity with the field.
• Variety of skills: Highlight a diverse range of skills, both technical and soft, to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate.

5. Education section for your product designer resume

When it comes to listing education in your product designer resume, it's essential to highlight your academic qualifications in a clear and concise manner.

Start by mentioning your highest degree or diploma, such as a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Product Design. Include the name of the educational institution, its location, and the year of completion.

But it's also beneficial to include any specific interests or achievements, especially if they're relevant to the product designer position you're applying for.

Find out your resume score!

Our AI Resume checker can scan your resume for issues and give you tips on how you can improve it.

Get my resume score

6. Extra sections for your product designer resume

Any extra information that would enhance your prospect to land the product designer position you want is useful.

These sections can showcase your additional skills that might not fit neatly into standard headings, or they can further emphasize key points relevant to the job. 

So, if you’ve completed a life coaching program, it most certainly won’t get you closer to the product designer position you’re applying for. Remember to share what's the most relevant to the job. 

Custom your resume and create additional sections such as certifications or volunteer activities for you to stand out:

• Awards and recognitions: This section spotlights successes that make you stand out from other candidates. For example, if you won 'Product Designer of the Year' at a national design convention, it certainly merits mentioning.
• Professional development courses/ certifications: If you've taken additional courses or earned certifications in relevant areas, this section could strengthen your application. For instance, if you completed a certification in 'UX Design for IoT Devices', it showcases your specialist knowledge in emerging fields.
• Volunteer activities: If you've volunteered in projects that tap into your product design skills, it's worth highlighting these experiences. For example, if you volunteered to design educational tools for a non-profit organization, this shows your ability to use your skills in diverse contexts.
• Conferences and workshops: Participation in industry events and workshops shows your commitment to learning and advancing in your field. For example, if you attended a renowned design conference like The Design Thinking Conference, it adds credibility to your professional profile.

6. The best format for your product designer resume

For an expert in the product design field, learning how to best structure your resume is key. You’ll surely want to use the most suitable format for your resume to stick out. 

In order to select the format that fits your skills and expertise the most, let’s look more closely at the three most advantageous resume formats:

• The functional resume format emphasizes skills and accomplishments over the sequence of employment. This is particularly helpful for professionals who have varied skill sets, noticeable career gaps, or those planning to switch careers altogether. It uniquely frames your transferable skills making you a compelling candidate.
• The chronological resume format lists your employment history in reverse chronological order, emphasizing career progression and stability. This format highlights career progression, durations of employment, and commitment to past roles. If your career path in product design has been steady and progressive, this format can powerfully represent your employment consistency. 
• The hybrid resume format merges the best elements of the functional and chronological formats. It kicks off with a profile summary or qualifications section, followed by a detailed skills section, and then a reverse-chronological work experience section. Ideal for seasoned professionals with vast and diverse experiences, it allows showcasing your skills and valuable experience simultaneously. 

Your choice of format should be guided by the personal nuances of your career path, ensuring it's a fair representation of your unique professional journey.

Remember, a well-structured resume format not only showcases your attention to detail as a product designer but also makes it easier for recruiters to navigate and grasp the information you've provided.

7. Average salary and outlook for product designers

Understanding the salary trends and job outlook for product designers is crucial for both aspiring and experienced professionals in the field. 

To provide you with the most up-to-date information, we turn to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Reflecting the BLS data from May 2022, product designers in the United States earned an average annual salary of around $81,740. However, it's essential to note that salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, industry, and level of expertise.

Metropolitan areas, especially those with a high cost of living, typically offer higher salaries. This is also true for product designers in industries like computer systems design, aerospace manufacturing, and scientific research and development services.

The present looks optimistic. But how bright is the future for product designers? According to the BLS, it’s bright enough to have an expected 2% growth rate from 2022 to 2032. On average, there will be approximately 2,200 job openings for product designers each year over the next decade. 

This surely reflects the evolving demands for creative product design and makes it an exciting career path for those passionate about design and innovation.

FAQ

1. What skills should I highlight on my product designer resume?

Highlight both technical and soft skills. Include your proficiency in specific design software tools, understanding of design principles, user interface knowledge, and prototyping abilities. Don't forget communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

2. How should I arrange my work experience on my resume?

Use a format that best highlights your strengths. The chronological format shows a steady work history, while the functional format emphasizes skills over job history. If you have a solid career progression along with a vast skill set, a hybrid format may be ideal.

3. Should I include a portfolio in my product designer resume?

Yes, having a portfolio showcases your actual work and is highly recommended. Instead of describing what you can do, let potential employers see it for themselves.

4. How do I make my product designer resume stand out?

Besides having a well-structured resume, personalize your application for each job. Understand the company's needs and tailor your resume to match those needs by highlighting relevant skills and experiences.

5. How long should my product designer resume be?

Typically, your resume should not exceed two pages. However, the length can depend on your experience and the requirements of the job. Be sure to maintain clarity and conciseness, focusing on relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the job you're applying for.