DESIGN RESUMES Heidi J. Perman, M.A. OBJECTIVE Objective for class today: • Learn the components of a strong design resume • Learn how to write a strong cover letter and reference list Student Development Outcomes: #1 Responsibility/Accountability #3 Goal Orientation #4 Self Awareness #5 Resilience WHAT EMPLOYERS SAY “Recent grads tend to have resumes that look too corporate and too common. They use a template from Word and a basic font...not personalized.” - Apparel Design Employer “We have been trying to hire a designer for about a month now and I am surprised to see the number of resumes that we get that do not include samples of work. This is a visual job...send samples of work!” - Graphic Design Alum/Employer “[In a good resume it is] clear that the candidate has done research about our firm and the resume is tailored to show that they have the skills to meet our needs.” - Architecture Employer “Many times the resumes are too ‘decorated’.” - Interior Design Employer RESUME RESOURCES • Turn to page 65 of your packet for Resume Handouts. • Samples available beginning on page 80. RESUME HEADING Karen L. Dallas 7217- 112th Circle North Champlin, MN 55316 (763) 555-5555 karenldallas@hotmail.com Zhicheng (Mike) Wang 123 6th Ave SE #240 Email: zwang24@yahoo.com Minneapolis, MN 55555 Phone: 123.456.7890 • Name should be larger than other text and bold/caps • Include phone/email – Professional cell phone use (coverage, voice mail) – Use professional sounding email addresses OBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE: Seeking an interior design internship with Ellerbe Becket that will utilize my design skills, AutoCAD knowledge and extensive communication experience. Objective To obtain an technical design internship with a company that specializes in the design of performance apparel. • Objective should include type of position and type of organization; possibly key skills • Don’t tell the employer what you want to learn from them “To seek an internship where I can learn…” focus on skills you bring EDUCATION EDUCATION University of Minnesota College of Design Minneapolis, Minnesota Anticipated Graduation May 2012 Bachelor of Science in Architecture GPA: 3.66 Education University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Graduation May 2011 Bachelor of Science Major: Apparel Design Related Coursework: Textile Analysis, Fashion Trends and Visual Analysis, Product Development: Softlines, International Developments in Textiles and Apparel. Minnesota Design School GPA 3.1 September 2006 - May 2007 • Include University, degree, major(s), minor • Expected graduation date rather than date range • GPA if above 3.0 • Awards if there aren’t too many, otherwise make a new section • Study abroad • Related courses COURSE PROJECTS If you don’t have a lot of related internships or jobs, consider including course projects until you have experience… Related Projects Bachman’s Holiday Project College of Design, University of Minnesota Fall 2009  Collaborated with a team of 4 students to design and construct a holiday themed formal gown using materials from the Bachman’s store.  Conducted extensive research about he company and their target market to inform the design process  Presented our final product to Bachman’s representatives, students, faculty and local television media Or shows you have been involved in… Fashion Shows -or- Achievements –or- Exhibitions Twin Cities Chocolate Extravaganza, Minneapolis, Minnesota Designed and constructed a garment which included white chocolate and milk chocolate embellishments November 2008 EXPERIENCE • Include organization, city/state, job title, dates of employment • Do NOT include address, phone, supervisor • You do not have to include every job you’ve had • Typically include 1-6 bullet statements describing your transferable and/or technical skills Graphic Design Intern Fall 2009 - Present By Design, University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN •Wrote client proposals and researched competitors to strategically position client brands •Designed a variety of media deliverables ranging from post cards to online newsletter templates •Presented designs directly to clients to achieve design goals on time and on budget BULLET STATEMENTS ACTION VERB + DETAILS + RESULTS INCORRECT • Responsible for… • Worked… • In this job I… • Duties included… • Was in charge of… • Spent time doing… CORRECT • Designed… • Organized… • Budgeted… • Researched… • Collaborated… • Created… BULLET STATEMENTS ACTION VERB + DETAILS + RESULTS “Sorted publications.” • Who/for whom? – Managed the design department’s library. • What? – Managed the design department’s academic publications library. • Can you quantify? – Managed the design department’s academic library of more than 3,000 publications using Procite. BULLET STATEMENTS ACTION VERB + DETAILS + RESULTS What happened to those involved? – Created and initiated a recruitment plan for membership, resulting in a 20% increase is AIAS membership. What happened as a result of your effort? – Redesigned an 80 page report for a corporate client to create an updated aesthetic for their annual publication. How did you complete it? – Managed multiple projects simultaneously to meet strict deadlines. ACTIVITIES UNIVERSITY INVOLVEMENT LeaderQuest, January 2008 - May 2008 • Participant of a leadership program; Coordinated campus-wide Leadership Retreat for over 150 students College of Design Student Alumni Board, September 2008 - present • Member of student organization that plans events for College of Design students and alumni. Activities: American Society of Landscape Architecture Students – Member Studied Abroad in London, England • • • • 2009-Present Summer 2009 Focus on structured activities rather than hobbies Include dates if involvement has been long Can include bullets describing skills Significant experiences can be in your “Related Experience” section SKILLS Design Skills • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, Sketch Up • Hand drafting, rendering and 3-dimensional drawing techniques • Pattern making, pattern drafting, garment fitting, and apparel assembly • Highlight additional skills relevant to the position: computer skills, languages, certifications • Heading can be specific “Computer Skills” or “Design Skills” • For languages avoid years studied…use level of mastery: conversational, proficient, or fluent VISUAL APPEAL Design is Important: • Easy to read font/10 pt • No light colors • Don’t over-design • No personal photos • Paper type/size – be practical • Consider your brand/field LENGTH Q: What is your preferred resume length for recent college graduates? 51% 74% 37% 12% 1 page 11% 15% 2 pages Indifferent All Industries Graphic Design LENGTH What is your preferred resume length for recent college graduates? 69% 45% 25% 30% 31% 0% 1 page Architecture 2 pages Indifferent Interior Design IMAGES Q: How do you feel about having thumbnail photos of work samples on a resume? 39% 46% 39% 41% 23% 13% Like Dislike Indifferent Architecture Like Dislike Interior Design Indifferent DESIGN What is your preferred resume appearance? (Graphic Design Employers) 47% 34% 16% 3% Traditional-Good Typography Creative as Appropriate to Design Field Unique Outside of the Box Indifferent Work Samples Always submit work samples with any resume/cover letter in design fields (web portfolio or pdf) RESUME QUESTIONS? What questions do you have about resumes at this point? TAILORING RESUMES Graphic design intern job description • Create layouts and designs of fliers, catalogs, product packages, post cards, logos, special promotions and other marketing materials. Select, scan, color correct and place graphic images. Collaborate with team members to implement copy and product information. Update graphic and copy alterations as required. Proofread materials. Prepare documents for printing using collect for output and pre-flight checks. Backup high and low resolution files. Improve overall quality and appearance of materials. Flexibility to assist with other projects as assigned. • Required skills: Skilled in using Quark Express, Publisher, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Excel, In Design and with PDF conversions. Strong sense of creativity, design and color balance. Excellent communication and organizational skills along with a strong attention to detail. Able to work on multiple projects simultaneously. COVER LETTERS WHAT EMPLOYERS SAY What Employers Say… “It makes my selection process easier when I get really good cover letters!” “Because I am typically hiring for positions that involve writing as part of job duties, I pay close attention to cover letters as part of the hiring process. Things I often see: typos, poor grammar, poor organization, trying too hard to impress by using words that the student isn't familiar with.” “Cover letters are not as important to our company because a lot of the resumes are posted online. Due to this, we do not spend much time reading them.” See Page 75 of Course Packet -- U of M 2005/2006 Employer Survey Cover Letters Paragraph 1 • Include the position you are applying for and how you heard about the opening • Add research about the employer and why you want to work for them! “Please accept this letter as an application for the position of Assistant Designer which I heard about through John Smith, an employee at your firm. Your organization is of particular interest to me because…” Cover Letters Paragraph 2 • Highlight the skills you have that meet the requirements on the job description • Mention qualifications that will contribute to the position: education or experiences • Don’t re-list entire resume! “Your position requires someone with extensive AutoCAD experience. As you can see from my resume I have…” “My sales associate job has helped me develop outstanding communication skills which is critical to a position in …” Cover Letters Paragraph 3 • Request an interview • Give times that you are easily reached and telephone number • Indicate if/when you will call to follow up “I am confident that my past experiences make me an excellent candidate for this position. If you require additional information or would like to contact me to an arrange an interview please contact me between the hours of 3:00-5:30pm at (612) 625-5000.” Cover Letters Final Tips: • Tailor to each job • Don’t start every sentence with “I” • Don’t tell them what you will learn from the job – Instead what will you bring to their company • Use same design style as resume! • Sign paper versions before you send • 94% of employers prefer 1 page max References Reference Basics: • Header at the top of page same as resume • Include 3-5 references, preferably professionals from jobs or academics • Include name, title, organization, address, phone, email and length/nature of your relationship References Samples Etiquette Reference Etiquette: • Always ask permission before adding someone to your reference list • Provide your references on request • Keep them updated on job interviews • Bring copies of your reference sheet to interview Due Next Week Due next week: • Resume, Cover Letter, References & Portfolio Start. Topic for Next Week • Portfolio panel Bring to Class • Course Packet • Resume binder