Include a link to your online portfolio. Employers want to see your style and skill visually.

Also, consider adding thumbnail images or brief project descriptions, as this gives a quick snapshot of your work directly on your resume.

Illustrators need to know software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. List these prominently under skills.

Mention if you are proficient with any specialized software or tools. This can set you apart from others.

To get your resume noticed, show how your drawing skills fit the job. Point out work that shows your strength in visual storytelling. Each point should make it clear why you're a good match. Use terms they use in the job ad.

• Look at the job ad for the specific style they want, like digital or traditional, and list projects where you've used it. For example, Created digital illustrations for a children’s book series.
• For a senior position, highlight your experience in managing projects or teams. Say something like, Led a team of freelance artists for a multimedia campaign.
• If you are coming from another field, talk about your design-related tasks. Maybe you did graphics for presentations. Mention that.

As an illustrator, your resume should show a range of technical abilities and software knowledge that are vital for your craft. Here's a list of key skills to include:

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Digital painting
• Graphic design
• Concept art
• Character design
• Storyboarding
• 3D modeling
• Typography
• Print design
• Animation

Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use to filter resumes. ATS often search for specific skills related to the job. So, if you have experience with vector illustration or know how to use Sketch, include them too.

Remember, you don't need to list every skill you have. Focus on those that match the job you want. For example, if you aim to work in children's book publishing, highlight skills like watercolor techniques and story development. Tailoring your skills to your desired role will make your resume stand out. Think about what makes you good at your job and show this on your resume.

If you've had a chance to lead a project or have been promoted, make sure you show this on your resume. It tells us you have good skills in managing tasks and people. Here are ways to do this:

• For a promotion, list your new job title and the date you started. For example, 'Senior illustrator - May 2019'. Below this, include a bullet point like 'Promoted for strong project management and creative direction skills.'
• If you've led a project, describe it. Say what you did, like 'Led a team of five artists for a major ad campaign'. Include any big results if you can, such as 'Resulted in a 20% increase in client satisfaction'.

Think about times you've had to make decisions or guide others in your work as an artist. Even if you weren't officially a manager, showing these skills is very helpful. Use simple words to explain your experience, like 'Guided junior artists on composition techniques' or 'Chosen to represent the art department at a national conference'. These examples show you're trusted and can take charge.

You can show your value as an illustrator by including clear metrics on your resume. Numbers can help you stand out and make it easy for hiring managers to see your impact. Think about how your work has made a difference and try to quantify it.

Here are some ways you might measure your contributions:

• Number of projects completed: 15 illustrated book covers, 30+ marketing illustrations
• Efficiency improvements: reduced project turnaround time by 25%, streamlined illustration process
• Client satisfaction: 95% positive feedback, 20 repeat clients
• Sales and marketing impact: illustrations contributed to a 30% increase in product sales, featured in 10+ major industry publications
• Social media engagement: illustrated posts that garnered 50k+ likes, 10 viral images
• Educational influence: developed 5 educational graphics used by 100+ schools
• Licensing deals: secured 3 contracts for merchandise use
• Exhibitions and awards: displayed work at 5 national galleries, won 2 industry awards

When you're unsure about exact numbers, it's okay to estimate. Think about the hours you've saved on a project or the increase in followers on social media due to your work. Use these estimates to show the scope of your impact as an illustrator.

When you apply for creative roles, showcasing growth in your career can make a strong impact. If you have taken on leadership roles or received promotions, it's important to highlight these achievements. This shows potential employers that you're ready to take on responsibility and lead projects.

Think about times when you guided a team, led a project, or were recognized with a new title. Even informal leadership, like mentoring new artists or leading a workshop, counts. Here's how you can show this on your resume:

• Include a section titled 'Leadership Experience' or 'Professional Growth' where you can list any roles or projects where you took the lead.
• For each role, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities. For instance:
• 'Spearheaded a team of artists on a major project, resulting in a successful client presentation.'
• 'Promoted to senior illustrator after consistently delivering projects ahead of schedule and under budget.'

Remember, it's not just about the title; it's about the impact you made while in that role. Show how you helped improve processes, mentored others, or contributed to successful outcomes.

When you apply for jobs at smaller firms like independent game studios or boutique design agencies, show them you're ready to wear many hats and can work in a close-knit team. You might say, 'Collaborated with a small team to create custom illustrations for indie mobile games.' For larger companies like Disney or Adobe, highlight your ability to handle large projects and work within structured teams. You could write, 'Managed extensive illustration projects aligning with corporate brand guidelines in a fast-paced environment.'

• For small companies, stress your flexibility and broad skill set.
• For big companies, show your specialization and experience with large-scale projects.