Submitted by productivemarketer on
in
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A recruiter friend of me helped me tweak my one-page resume (which follows all of the MT/CT rules), and he now thinks I should design a two-page resume with more creativity and an awards section since I'm a creative professional. Since graphic design is a major component of my skillset, should I:
- include more design elements in my resume to demonstrate my personal brand (keeping it professional, clean and understated, of course), and
- develop a two-page resume that includes awards (which provides third-party validation for quality work in a subjective field) and allows more room for design?
I already have a personal website that features a portfolio of design samples and a more detailed list of my achievements, which I can also point to on my resume.
PS--I just bought the Interview Series, my first paid MT/CT product. Thanks for everything!
Follow Manger Tools' Guidance
As a creative professional myself, I say follow the Manager Tools guidance around one page resumes.
Your portfolio/reel is the place to showcase your design talent and that's a separate document. Put your awards there if you can't fit them all into bullet points on your resume. (IMHO, Awards are accomplishments and need to be part of the wording of your accomplishment bullets)
You could point to your website on your resume, but I personally would put it in the cover letter and in the portfolio.
Think of it from the hiring manager's point of view: The resume provides one set of data, the portfolio a different set of data. If you conflate the two it makes finding the information recruiter wants less easy/clear.
Most people I know usually hire by looking at the work first (portfolio/reel), then looking at the resume. With creatives if "it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage" -- it doesn't really matter how great their work history is if their work isn't a good fit with what you want. If the work is good, then you look at the resume to try and see the work behind it.
Agreed
Based on my understanding of the 'casts: consider following the MT resume guidance. Since you're a creative, you'll have a portfolio, reel, or website, etc. And that's the place where you show off the creative work. Remember: the goal of a resume is to get you an interview. Is this the only way to go? No. Of course not. However, the MT team do share anecdotal evidence. They've seen creatives achieve success and land the gig, using their style and suggestions. Break-a-leg!
Thank you both!
Sorry for my delayed response, but I greatly appreciate your advice, MarkMT and AMPB4019. I've just redesigned my website, and I'm busy building my web portfolio. Thank you!