Always provide a link to your portfolio. This can be a personal website or a digital portfolio hosted on platforms like Behance.

Make sure your portfolio showcases a variety of projects. Include visuals like before-and-after photos and 3D renders to impress potential employers.

Listing software skills can help you stand out. Include proficiency in tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, as these are essential in interior design.

Consider adding a section where you briefly describe projects where you used these tools. This gives employers insight into your practical experience.

Putting together your resume, think about what a junior interior designer does. Show how you have used your design skills. Pick your best work experiences that fit this job. Make it clear and easy to read.

• List software you know, like AutoCAD or SketchUp, which are key in design work.
• Talk about projects where you chose colors and materials. Say how this helped make a good space.
• If you have worked in a different job, link your skills to design tasks. For example, if you did customer service, show how you understand client needs.

If you have taken on leadership roles or received promotions, it’s important to highlight these in your resume. In the field of interior design, leadership can be shown in various ways. Think about times when you have guided a project, led a team, or made important design decisions. Here are some ideas to help you describe your leadership experiences:

• Managed a team of interns to execute a residential design project under budget and ahead of schedule.
• Received a promotion from design assistant to junior interior designer after successfully leading a client consultation process.

Even if you are not sure you have held traditional leadership roles, consider times when you took initiative or helped improve a process. For example, you might have:

• Proposed a new digital rendering technique that was adopted firm-wide, enhancing project presentations.
• Coordinated with vendors and contractors to streamline the material selection process, reducing turnaround time by 20%.

As a hiring manager, I recommend focusing on the specific hard skills that show your capability in interior design. These are the tools and techniques that will help your resume stand out.

• AutoCAD for drafting precise interior layouts
• SketchUp or Revit for 3D modeling and visualization
• Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and InDesign, for presenting ideas and concepts
• Color theory knowledge to develop aesthetically pleasing color schemes
• Space planning ability to optimize interiors
• Material specification expertise for selecting appropriate finishes
• Lighting design understanding to enhance spaces
• Building codes familiarity to ensure compliance
• Hand sketching skills for quick idea communication
• Furniture design knowledge for custom interiors

Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume to make them easy for hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to find. Not all skills may apply to you; choose those that match your experience and the job you want. If you're skilled in a particular design software, make sure it's listed—many firms look for proficiency in specific tools. Remember, a well-organized skills section can greatly improve your chances of landing an interview.

When you're creating your resume, it's important to show the impact you've made in previous roles. Using numbers can make a big difference.

Think about how you have helped save time or money, improved customer satisfaction, or increased sales. For a junior interior designer, consider these areas:

• Size of the spaces you've worked on in square footage or meters, to give a sense of scale, for example, 'Designed layouts for 1,500-square-foot commercial spaces.'
• Percentage of projects completed under budget, which shows your efficiency, like 'Completed 90% of projects under budget.'
• Amount of money saved through smart design choices, e.g., 'Saved clients an average of $2,000 per project by selecting cost-effective materials.'
• Client satisfaction rates, if available, can be illustrated by 'Achieved a client satisfaction score of 95%.'
• Time saved through efficient project management, such as 'Reduced project turnaround time by 20% through improved vendor coordination.'
• Number of design software you are proficient in, for example, 'Skilled in 5 different 3D rendering and CAD software programs.'
• Any sales or revenue you contributed to by upselling design services or products, like 'Helped generate an additional $10,000 in sales through consultative design services.'
• Percentage of repeat clients or referrals, which can speak to your relationship-building skills, such as 'Secured 30% repeat client business through strong design and communication.'

Try to estimate these metrics if you don't have exact numbers. It's about showing a clear, quantifiable impact. Your goal is to make it easy for hiring managers to see your value.

When you apply to a small firm or startup, show your flexibility and broad skill set. Small companies such as boutique design studios might value your ability to wear multiple hats. For example, you might say, 'Assisted in various design stages, from concept to execution, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic throughout.' This shows that you are ready to handle a range of tasks.

For larger corporates like Gensler or HOK, focus on your ability to specialize and work within a larger team. Highlight specific software skills or projects that align with their ongoing work. You could write, 'Utilized AutoCAD and Revit to develop detailed room layouts in line with the firm's sustainable design focus.' This demonstrates your specialized skills and understanding of large-scale project demands.