Now that companies and economies are slowly opening after all the COVID-19 pandemic caused unemployment for millions of people, the challenge of looking for a job is even greater this 2021 because of tough competition. But you can increase your chances of getting hired on your dream job by following what I’ve learned in creating a successful resume when I was job hunting.
"The Search" acrylic on canvas, 2018
I applied to hundreds of regular full time job posts for graphic design and creative positions for almost a year and have known the tips and tricks in successfully getting your resume through potential employers. I’ve been off the job market for a while as I got jobs mostly through referrals back in my home country. Since then, the game of job hunting has changed drastically for some freelancers/independent professionals/self-employed like me.
I went through several job hunting seminars, job fairs, and job forums to every workforce centers in Colorado. I’ve even invested in improving my skills and experience. The tips I’m sharing on creating a successful resume are applicable in the US but I’m sure it also applies anywhere in the world as most companies are scaling globally. It’s not enough anymore that you have the experience and skills, you have to be smarter than what you have.
Examples of creative resumes with infographics that really look great, however they won’t cut through HR’s ATS.
I found out that most HR from employers are mostly using the Automated Tracking Systems (ATS). Update: some progressive companies may have updated to modern systems to accommodate equal opportunities. Most companies are even hiring third party HR hiring teams to handle their recruitment and onboarding processes.
Along the way, I figured out how to outsmart the ATS system to get my dream job through writing an effective resume for a graphic designer position. After applying what I learned, my chances in getting schedules for job interviews went up to more than 85%. I’m now working full time in my dream job!
Here are some tips to effectively make your graphic designer resume standout and that will successfully get you at least 50% up chances of getting that important first job interview:
1. Make your resume in a simple format.
Stop making your resume look cool with some colorful design templates and samples you searched online or designed yourself. It simply doesn’t work and won’t get you a job interview from HR managers or hiring specialists. Here’s why – the ATS system wouldn’t recognize your designed resume. Savvy infographics highlighting your skills and summarizing your work experience are great in portfolios but wouldn’t even cut it through a resume ATS. Save the fancy resume in your actual interview. Instead, format using a basic type-setting app like Google docs, Mac’s Pages, or Microsoft Word. Save it per company’s required file format which are usually word, rtf, or–the one I found best for graphic designers is PDF, where the system can scan the texts but still preserving the basic layout.
2. Customize your resume to EACH job position and company you applied for.
Do not send out generic resume that you can just send out to an HR emailing list or job posting contact list. If you send a generic resume, not only that the HR manager or hiring specialist will ignore your resume, but also your resume won’t get through the automated system. Remember, your initial goal in job hunting is beating this automated system that most HRs are using, so be smart! Why do you need to fit your graphic designer resume to each job position and company you are applying? Simply because it automatically scan and tracks keywords that matches the culture of the company you are applying for. And, please don't be lazy to fill-out online applications thoroughly!
3. Don’t expect too much, yet.
I know that most of us are in desperation to look for a graphic design job in 2021 given that millions are unemployed right now and many are in the same boat of job hunting. Add the fact that the graphic design or any creative position, is a very competitive and over-saturated field ever since digital technology took off. For now, never fall in love at first sight to a single job position that you find. Here’s the thing, it’s so much better to place your eggs in multiple baskets than putting much effort to that one graphic design position that averages a hundred applicants. So increase your chances of successfully securing an interview and getting hired in your dream job by applying to several positions you’re interested in and has the most potential BUT customizing your resume to EACH position and company.
I wish you good luck in making your successful resume and finding your dream job!
The strategies above are snippets from this free, handy, easy to digest booklet (click on cover below) that details on how to beat the ATS system and successfully making your resume to standout and on top of the shortlist of an HR manager or hiring specialist, including:
- never-heard-before top tips,
- resume and cover letter samples,
- awesome and useful keywords,
- how to format your impressive resume, and
- how to compose your cover letter.
This free PDF also details on how to effectively edit your graphic design–or any job–resume and cover letter that greatly increases your chances of successfully getting that important first job interview to the job and company you’ve always dreamed of! Please share away this free information on creating an impressive graphic designer resume in 2021.
Disclaimer: The information and views expressed are those of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views, policies, and values of the author’s current employer.
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