This is because your graphics design resume is the first thing the potential employer will look at before asking you anything. If they don’t feel impressed by the presentation of your resume, they may not invite you for an interview to give you a chance prove yourself and your skills in design. Therefore, be very vigilant when working on your resume to increase your chances of being hired. Here are a few tips to help you polish up your graphic design resume-:

Use the correct verb when writing about your skills

It is recommended that you use action verbs rather than using personal pronoun, “I” when writing about your skills in your graphic design resume. Preferably, you should use active verbs and tenses when making reference to your skills, duties and accomplishments.

Short but to the point bullet points

If you use bullet points in the graphic design resume, they should be short and precise. There is always a temptation to use lofty and redundant language hoping to fill up space so that your resume looks packed. Unfortunately, this will work against you. Those who will be going through your resume will have dozens others to go through and if they are unable to find what they are looking for in yours, it will find its way into the recycle bin faster than you can spell your mother’s maiden name. Therefore, ensure that the bullet points are used clearly and concisely as it will also show your ability to communicate effectively.

Format your graphic design resume chronologically

Some people seeking graphic design jobs are fond of stating their experience by grouping them or listing them according the job functions. This is ill advised since managers would like to see a progression on your development from the time you started out as a graphic designer to the present.  The best method would be to format your graphic design resume in a reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent jobs as you work backwards to your earlier assignments.

Customize your resume for each application

Have something like a template graphic design resume upon which you will tailor each resume according to the specific applications you will be making. This is so that you find it easy to give highlights to the particular qualifications that are directly related to the positions you are applying for. Sometimes, this might mean that you will have to reorder the bullet points or you do away with certain skills which might not be very relevant to position you are applying for.

Additionally, it is advisable that you mention the specific terms you find in the job description and for which you are making application. These might include terms like “project manager, lead graphic designer etc”. The reason for doing so is because with the current digital age, there are some companies who will scan applications for such keywords and if you used them, you shall have increased visibility to your graphic design resume.

Send resume by mail

Most applicants have been crippled by the digital age such that they can only send their graphic design resumes to recruiters via online only. The applicants who send such applications by mail usually end up standing out from their online counterparts. For increased chances of your resume getting noticed therefore, it would be a good idea to also send your resume by mail. But while doing so, you have to careful about certain things like ensuring that you use high quality, 100% bond stationery and with appropriate colors.

Also, if you are sending your resume to an advertising agency, consider using a shade different from the traditional ivory. If the application is going to a conservative organization, however, it would be okay to use the normal ivory. Additionally, remember to use a typography that is simple and easy to read, irrespective of where you are sending your graphic design resume.

Using these tips and of course giving clear references in your graphic design resume should be sufficient enough to land you an interview where you will have a chance to show the employer that you are the right fit for the job. But ignoring them won’t give you any competitive edge amongst your fellow applicants and your resume will never be recognized by any serious employers.

Learn how to give a brand personality!

The post How to Improve Your Resume as a Designer appeared first on LogoMaven | Easy Logo Design Software & Logo Maker.

It is common for design clients to ask their designer for revisions once the assignment is done. Whereas it is within the rights of the client to ask for revised work when they are not satisfied, too many revisions might have far reaching consequences on the designer as well as the final value of the work. As a professional designer, it is expected that you understand your work and in an ideal case, you should never offer any revision. But in case you have to, what would be the ideal number of design revisions to offer to clients.

Truthfully speaking, there is no definite answer to this question. It is a subjective one with a lot of factors involved. Some designers will agree to do one, two, and three or up to even five revisions whereas other will be clear right from the start and tell clients that they don’t offer any design revisions. Also from the client’s perspective, they will expect a certain number of revisions for every design work they give. Some are ridiculous to ask for an unlimited number of revisions, which most designers will never offer.

Revisions mean little confidence in your work

Too many checks will give an impression that the designer did something wrong hence there is a need to correct. Even though you may not feel confident about your experience and your levels of competency as a graphics designer, you must be careful with the kind of message you pass across to your clients when you allow too many revisions. Essentially, you are telling them that you were not confident about your work the first time hence you are willing to work on it until they are satisfied. Have in mind that nobody wants to hire a designer who won’t get it right the first time.

The question that begs, therefore, is how you limit the number of revisions you make or how you avoid them completely. Discussed below are various approaches you can use to navigate through too many design revisions from clients:

Be selective when accepting clients

The internet has made it so easy to access logo design gigs at very cheap rates. However, most of the professional designer will never offer their logo designs services cheaply. Clients who don’t understand the dynamics, as well as the importance of professional logo design, are the ones who will be quick in asking if you offer any revisions even before they order for your services.

If you consider yourself a professional designer, then you can limit the number of design revisions to offer by simply selecting whom to work for and those to turn down. Fortunately, you can gauge your future interactions with the client the very first time you start to discuss the project. If you feel that they are the “unlimited revision” type of client or they, show signs that they don’t trust your skills hence will be asking for many revisions, save yourself the trouble and drop them.

Do your research and discuss your reasoning with your client

Most clients will request for design checks if they don’t understand your reasons and why you did what you did. One subtle way of ensuring that this doesn’t happen and that you are with the client on the same page is to do a thorough research on the project and have a solid reasoning behind the design.

Additionally, before you go deep into the design, have some time with the client and discuss with them your thought process, telling them what you intend to do with elaborate explanations. This is so that the client gets a clear picture of what you are doing and incase they have any reservation or concerns about the design; they will point it early enough so that you factor it in the design to avoid design revisions once the project is over.

Formulate a revision policy

Another smart way to handle revisions before they even occur is to have a revision policy clearly stated in your website or indicated in your early discussions with your clients. As noted earlier, many clients will always expect a certain number of revisions. You can limit the revision to one or two or use the One Concept Approach, where you don’t offer revisions, and you let the clients know this beforehand.

The advantage of taking this design revisions route is that the clients will trust you right from the start because you are confident about your work, and they will be less inclined to ask for revisions once you are done with the project.

Know how to deal with revision conflicts

In instances when you get into design revision conflicts, you need to find away to resolve the situation in the most amicable and professional manner. A good method would be to revisit the project goals as well as your earlier discussion with the clients to diffuse any confusion that might arise. You can also show them the original drafts if you are certain that you have done the right thing. However, if the work parameters changed during the project, then it may no longer be a revision and a complete review of the project may be necessary.

Learn how to create a logo with universal appeal here. 

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