As an illustrator, provide a link to your online portfolio. Employers look at your work samples first.

Include 4-5 of your best pieces in the portfolio.

For illustrators, list software skills like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. These are essential for the job.

Highlight any experience with digital drawing tools too.

When you apply for roles as an entry-level illustrator, show skills that match what the job asks for. I look for clear proof that you can do the job well. Make it easy for me to see your skills.

• Show art software you use. Example: Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, primarily Photoshop and Illustrator.
• List any drawing techniques you're good at. Concrete example: Skilled in digital painting, vector art, and character design.
• If you're moving from another field, link past job duties with illustrator tasks. Example: Applied knowledge of color and composition from photography background to create engaging illustrations.

When crafting your resume as an entry-level illustrator, it's important to highlight specific skills that showcase your abilities. Here are some key skills you should consider including:

• Digital illustration
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Vector graphics
• Color theory
• Sketching
• Character design
• Storyboarding
• Typography
• 3D modeling
• Graphic tablet proficiency

You don't need to list every skill, but focus on those that are most relevant to the jobs you want. For instance, if you're aiming for a role in book illustration, emphasize character design and storyboarding. If your goal is in animation, 3D modeling and digital illustration might be more applicable.

Place these skills in a dedicated section for clarity and to help with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). The ATS scans for keywords that match the job description, so including the right skills can help your resume get noticed. Make sure they are easy to find and read. By focusing on these hard skills, you're telling potential employers that you have the technical foundation for an illustration career.

As a fresh illustrator, showing any leadership roles or promotions you've had is important. It tells hiring managers that you can take charge and bring value to a team. Even if you're just starting out, think about times when you've led a project or were recognized for your work.

Here are ways you might have shown leadership:

• Managed a group project at school, guiding the visual direction and ensuring deadlines were met.
• Volunteered to lead a workshop on digital illustration techniques at a local community center.

Remember to include any promotions. These can be formal, like moving from an intern to a paid position, or informal, such as taking on more responsibilities over time in a part-time job. Here's how you might include this:

• Promoted from assistant to lead designer for a student-run publication within one year.
• Took on additional duties such as client communications and project management in a freelance role, showing growth and trust from clients.

When you create your resume, showing the impact of your work with numbers can make a big difference. Numbers help hiring managers see the real value you could bring to their team. For entry-level illustrators, think about the times you have made a project better or helped save time.

Consider these ideas:

• Did you complete a project that got a lot of views or shares? Mention the number of views or percentage increase in shares.
• If you worked on a team, can you estimate how much faster the project was completed? Try to quantify the time savings in percentage or hours saved.

Even if you're not sure about the exact numbers, you can estimate. Think about:

• The number of illustrations you contributed to a project and how they might have improved client satisfaction or user engagement.
• Any reduction in customer support issues because your illustrations made a product or service easier to understand.
• The growth in social media followers or engagement rate after you created a series of posts.
• The number of clients you worked with or the diversity of projects you handled, showing your versatility.

Use these numbers to make a strong case for why you'd be a valuable addition to a team. Remember, even small numbers can show big impact if presented well.

When you apply to small startups, show your ability to adapt and take on varied tasks. For instance, you might include phrases like 'adaptable illustrator skilled in multiple styles' or 'quick learner of new design tools'. Small firms like Sketchbook Inc. or Doodle Studios often value versatility.

In contrast, when targeting big companies such as Adobe or Pixar, highlight specialized skills. Use terms like 'proficient in Adobe Creative Suite' or 'experienced in character design'. Big firms often look for depth in a specific area.

Remember to keep your resume clear and to the point. You want to make it easy for employers to see how you fit their needs.