Most of us are familiar with the basics of resumé writing that were drilled into us in school: a single sheet with our contact information at the top, our work history in the middle and our education at the bottom.
But how do you apply that format to freelance creative work and also make your resumé memorable in the sea of paper that companies may be taking home from the show? How do you get an entire career of experience onto a single page? Meeting those challenges is an essential element to a successful trip for designers and other freelancers attending a trade event like CHA.
A good place to browse resumés of scrapbook industry freelance designers is Designer Resumé Central. Browsing through the resumés of members on this site can provide ideas for how to format a creative industry resumé that focuses on freelance design work. And posting your own resumé on the site can be a great place to provide links to in email inquiries, on your blog, in your message board signatures, or to direct people to in situations when you don’t have a paper copy on hand.
For more great information on writing resumés for creative professions, check out these links:
- The Riley Guide to Resumés & Cover Letters
- Designer Today’s Creative Resumés: Part One, Part Two, & Part Three
- Artisan: Preparing Your Resumé & Portfolio Tips
- Resumé & Cover Letter Guide (About.com)
Another way to go for your resumé (and combine it with a mini portfolio to hand out) as a creative designer is to put it on CD or DVD. I’ve done this before with my tear sheets and resumé for my freelance writing. Since the resumé is already a digital document and most designers already have their work either scanned or photographed, it is a relatively simple procedure to save those items as PDF’s and burn them together onto a CD or DVD. The CD can be labeled using inkjet printed labels adhere to the CD (like the ones by Avery) or if you are a power-geek, using a lightscribe DVD drive. For an extra personal touch and to really promote the designer, the case could be decorated – everything from a digitally designed case insert to an embellished case – or handmade.
The CD/DVD portfolio is a great way to stand out from the crowd, and it also gives prospective employers an easy way to look at your work later (since there is rarely time to do that at the show). And disks are much easier and lighter to carry than paper materials for the recipients to bring home. I know when I attend trade shows as a member of the press I am always thrilled when materials are available on disk rather than paper.
Don’t make your resumé a last-minute project. Give yourself time and plan ahead so you can put your best foot (or page!) forward and stick out from the crowd!
