As an interior designer, your portfolio is as important as your resume. Include a link to an online portfolio that shows your best work. Make sure the link is easy to find near the top of your resume.

Highlight any specific projects or achievements in your resume, like completing a major renovation or working for well-known clients. Use bullet points to make these stand out.

Many interior design jobs require knowledge of design software. List specific programs you know well, like AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Adobe Creative Suite. Place these skills in a dedicated section on your resume.

Also, mention any certifications or courses you've completed in these software tools. This helps show that you're well-versed in the technical aspects of the job.

To stand out as an interior designer, show that you understand what the job needs. Think about the projects you've worked on and how they match the job you want. Your resume should make it clear that you're a good fit by focusing on your relevant skills and experience.

• Look at the job ad for key skills required. List projects where you have used those skills. For example, if 'space planning' is important, mention a project where you successfully planned a room or building layout.
• For senior positions, share examples of how you led a team or project. Use phrases like 'managed a team of 4 designers'.
• If you are new to interior design, include experience from other jobs that uses similar skills. If you've worked in customer service, talk about how you understood client needs, which is crucial in design work too.

When you're applying as an interior designer, the verbs you choose can paint a vivid picture of your skills and experience. Instead of generic terms like 'did' or 'worked,' opt for words that showcase your creativity and impact. Good action verbs can help you stand out in a competitive field.

Use verbs that specifically relate to design and project management to highlight your expertise. These words will help you convey not just what you did, but how well you did it. Below you'll find a list of verbs that are particularly effective for interior design resumes.

• To demonstrate your design skills, use conceptualized, envisioned, drafted, crafted, and executed.
• Showcase your project oversight by using coordinated, managed, oversaw, orchestrated, and supervised.
• For highlighting your collaborative efforts, include verbs like partnered, consulted, liaised, contributed, and negotiated.
• To emphasize your problem-solving abilities, select resolved, troubleshooted, refined, streamlined, and amended.
• When showcasing your ability to manage client relationships, use engaged, communicated, advised, guided, and served.

Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Worked on, Oversaw, Create, Drive, Handle.

When you're crafting your resume, it's important to show any leadership roles or promotions you've held. This tells hiring managers that you have experience guiding projects and teams, which is valuable in interior design where collaboration and project management are key.

Think about times when you led a design project or oversaw a team. Did you help steer a project to success? Maybe you were promoted from a junior designer to a senior role? These are the kinds of experiences to highlight.

• Managed a team of junior designers to deliver project objectives on time and within budget
• Promoted to lead designer after consistently exceeding client expectations and spearheading innovative design solutions

Even if you're not sure if your experience counts as leadership, consider times when you took initiative or mentored others. These instances can also demonstrate your leadership potential.

As an interior designer, your resume should reflect a balance of creativity and technical skill. Here are the key abilities you should highlight:

• AutoCAD
• SketchUp
• 3D rendering
• Space planning
• Color theory
• Material knowledge
• Lighting design
• Furniture design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Project management

You do not need to show every skill listed, but rather focus on those that best match the job you want. For example, if you aim to specialize in sustainable design, emphasize your knowledge in eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient lighting. Place these skills in a dedicated section for easy scanning by hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Remember to also show these skills in the context of your work experience, to illustrate how you apply them in real-life projects.

Why these skills? They are often searched by ATS when looking for interior design candidates. Including them can help your resume pass the initial electronic screening. Think about the specific responsibilities of the job posting and tailor your skills section to match these requirements. This customization shows you have the right expertise and makes you a stronger candidate.

As an interior designer, demonstrating the tangible impact of your work can set you apart. Think of how you've added value through your designs and express this in numbers.

Here are ways you can quantify your achievements:

• Highlight the size of projects you've worked on by mentioning the square footage of spaces.
• Discuss the budgets you've managed, showing your financial responsibility.
• Talk about cost savings you've achieved through efficient design choices or vendor negotiations.
• Showcase any increase in client satisfaction using post-project survey scores.
• If you've worked in commercial design, mention any improvement in foot traffic or sales that your designs contributed to.
• For those in residential design, you could include the percentage of projects that were featured in magazines or blogs.
• Note any awards or recognitions you've received for your work.
• Discuss the number of repeat clients or referrals, as this shows client trust and satisfaction.

When you're unsure about exact numbers, estimate conservatively or use ranges to provide a realistic picture of your impact. Remember, the goal is to show how your design skills have created real-world value.

When you apply for a job in interior design, it's important to think about the size of the company. If you aim for a role at a large firm like Gensler or HOK, show that you understand big projects and teamwork. You might include phrases like 'collaborated on large-scale commercial projects' or 'experience in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.'

For smaller firms or startups, such as a local design boutique, your resume should highlight your flexibility and range of skills. Here, use phrases like 'hands-on experience in client consultations' or 'adept at custom, tailored design solutions.' Small companies often value direct client interaction and a personal touch, so show you are good at these.

Remember, no matter the size of the company, always show your strongest work and be clear about your role in past projects. Keep sentences short and focus on what you can do for them. For instance, 'led a team to redesign a mid-century modern home' shows leadership, while 'managed budgeting and procurement for residential projects' shows you are good with details and money.