In your journey to secure a web designer role, a strong resume is your blueprint to success. This article guides you through crafting one with proven examples and strategic advice. We'll cover layout, showcasing your coding skills, and highlighting design projects. Learn how to present your experience and education in ways that speak to industry needs and make your application stand out to hiring managers.
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Here's what we see in standout web designer resumes.
Showing Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show clear impact with metrics like
Matching Skills To The Job Description: Include skills you have that are also in the job description. Some good ones are
Keeping Up With Industry Trends: Show you know current trends by including phrases like
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Consider where to place your education on your resume. If you are new in web design, it is good to list your education first. This shows your background and any recent web design programs you have completed. If you have been designing websites for a while, put your work experience first. Your practical skills in web design are more important to show to employers.
For those who have taken a significant break for studies, like a masters degree or a specialized web design course, it is a strong move to list education at the top. This explains gaps in employment. Remember, your educational background is key in the web design industry as it shows your technical foundation.
In the field of web design, your portfolio is as important as your resume. Make sure you include a link to your online portfolio. This allows employers to see your work first-hand.
A good portfolio shows a range of styles and skills in designing websites. It should include work that is both visually strong and user-friendly. Always update your portfolio with your best and most recent projects. This helps you stand out and show your growth in the field.
The length of your resume should be short. For web designers with less than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is good. Keep it to the point with relevant experience and skills. It should tell employers what they need to know quickly.
If you are a web designer with more than 10 years of work or you have a lot of important projects to share, a two-page resume can be used. Be sure it is clear and easy to read. Focus on your strongest work that shows your skills in design and user experience.
For a web designer, having a variety of technical skills is important. Clearly list the programming languages, design software, and tools you are good at. Employers look for skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, as well as design tools like Adobe Creative Suite.
Also include any experience with responsive design and user experience principles. These skills are important because they show you can make websites that look good and work well on any device.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by many companies to filter resumes before they reach a human eye. To get through these systems, you must format your resume in a way that the ATS can read it easily.
Here are some tips to make your web design resume ATS-friendly:
When you apply for a job as a web designer, you need to show you have the right skills. Make it easy for hiring managers to see your strengths by matching them to the job. Use clear words to describe what you can do.
As a hiring manager, I've noticed resumes often list roles like 'responsible for website design.' While this tells me what you did, it doesn't show me how well you did it. Turn responsibilities into achievements to make your resume stand out.
Here's how to change a responsibility into an accomplishment:
These changes give clear evidence of your skills in action and the value you can bring to a role.
When you apply for a web design role, the verbs you choose can paint a clear picture of your skills. You want to show that you can create and improve websites with energy and precision. Think about the tasks you do every day and pick words that show you're good at making things happen.
Here is a list of action verbs that fit well with your experience in web design. These words will help you describe your work in a strong, clear way, making it easier for hiring managers to see your value.
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Managing, Contributed, Improve, Grow, Gained.
When you're applying for a web design position, highlighting your journey up the career ladder can set you apart. Show any promotions or leadership roles you've held to demonstrate your growth and ability to take on more responsibility.
Think about the times you were given more responsibilities or when you guided others in their work. Even if you weren't formally promoted, these instances count as leadership experience. Use them to show your ability to lead and inspire your team.
As a web designer, you need to show a strong set of specific technical skills on your resume. These skills help you stand out to hiring managers. They show you can do the job well.
Here are some important skills you should consider including:
Remember, you don't need all these skills for every web design job. Look at the job you want. Pick the skills that match. Put them in a skills section. This helps with the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use. They scan resumes for these skills. So, if you have them, show them. But always be honest about your level. Good luck!
As a hiring manager, I know the power of numbers on a resume. It's not just about listing your skills; it's about showing the value you bring. When you apply for web design roles, think about how your work made things better. Here are ways to quantify your impact:
Think about the following to estimate your impact:
Remember, even if you are unsure of the exact numbers, use your knowledge and any available data to make a good estimate. Your resume should show how your design work made a real difference.
If you are applying to small companies or startups, focus on showing your versatility and hands-on skills. Mention specific projects where you handled multiple roles, such as design and front-end development. Highlighting experience with tools like Figma and Sketch can also be useful. For instance, 'Led design and development for a small e-commerce site using Figma and HTML/CSS.'
When targeting large corporates like Google or IBM, emphasize your expertise in specialized areas. Use phrases like 'Managed UI/UX for large-scale projects with a focus on user research and A/B testing.' Mention experience with corporate tools like Adobe Creative Suite and teamwork skills. Highlighting your ability to work within a team on large projects can make a positive impression.