In the competitive world of UI/UX design, your CV is your ticket to the interview. But with limited time and energy, how can you ensure it stands out?
I’ve been helping to review the portfolio of UI/UX Design and suggest ideas for approaching some of my mentees and ex-colleagues who are looking for a job overseas these days. From that there are a few points that I want to share with you based on my experiences. (Disclaimer: Please note that the information presented in this article reflects the personal views and experiences of a hiring professional. While the insights shared are valuable, it should be considered as general guidelines rather than absolute truths.)
I understand some of you are looking for a job while you’re working full time. Do you know most of the resumes are ignored because they’re outdated or some small mistakes that you think are not important?
Here are some tips for writing a compelling CV and avoiding common mistakes when you’re creating your resume.
- Align your CV with the job description: Review the company and job descriptions carefully.
- Match Your Skills to the Job Description for a Successful Start (Avoid Struggles): To ensure a smooth transition, focus on applying for roles where your skills and experience align closely with the job requirements. (Remember, many job descriptions may include additional responsibilities that become apparent once you’re on the team. A strong understanding of the job’s core duties will help you hit the ground running. In my opinion, apply if you have 80% or more of the required skills and experience so that you won’t be struggling a lot when you join. Most of the jobs have hidden jobs will add more when you work with them?? so you should be familiar with their JD will be good for you.)
- Tailor your CV to the specific job: Change it a bit to highlight the best parts for each application. (Some of the companies are hiring to handle their current application or work. So that you need to show what you’re capable of and helpful with your previous experience.)
- Create multiple CVs for different roles: Make sure your skills and experience fit what they’re looking for. (Based on the organization, their expectations, skills and designations are different.)
- Direct Access to Your Portfolio: Include clickable links to your portfolio for a quick and comprehensive overview of your design skills.
- Showcase your best projects: Include projects that showcase your UI/UX expertise, even if they’re from personal projects or side hustles. (Avoid adding a long list of projects because most of the hiring managers do not have time to review every link you add, so make sure to add the most satisfied projects or case study that you are confident the most.)
- List your skills: Include both technical (like Figma, Adobe XD, etc.) and soft skills (like problem-solving, communication).
- Quantify your achievements: Use numbers to prove how good you are at your job. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, e.g., “Increased conversion rates by 20%.”
- Showcase your design thinking and process: Explain how you approach problem-solving, design thinking, how you solve problems and create designs.
- Have a cool portfolio website: A personal well-designed portfolio is essential and highly recommended for UI/UX designers. Pay close attention to details like alignment, font size, and overall visual hierarchy. Remember, your portfolio serves as your first impression on potential employers. It provides a dedicated platform to showcase your work and demonstrate your design skills. A well-curated portfolio can leave a lasting impression on potential employers.
- Ask for feedback: Get input from colleagues or mentors to improve your CV.
- Don’t include irrelevant information.
- Don’t use excessive jargon.
- Don’t neglect proofreading and ensure your CV is free of errors.
- Don’t include personal information like DOB, gender, religion, or citizenship.
- Don’t use clichés or generic phrases.
What is the most challenging part of the job-hunting process for you? Have you used any of these tips to land your dream job? Share your experiences in the comments below! Also, if you have any additional advice or questions, feel free to ask.
Remember, a great CV can help you land your dream job. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way!
Stay tuned for my next article (Level Up Your UX Resume Game with AI!), where I'll share some AI-powered tools to use for outstanding resumes in a few clicks.
Got any suggestions for topics you’d like me to cover? We can work together to create a more personalized and informative experience. Let’s work together to create a super helpful article!
