Interior designing is an art of creating aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces that meet a client’s needs and preferences. This profession involves a mix of creativity, technical knowledge, and project management skills. Interior designers work in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and healthcare industries.

Importance of a good Resume

A resume is a crucial tool that helps interior designers showcase their skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers. A well-crafted resume can make a good first impression and increase the chances of getting hired for a job interview. It is important to create a resume that stands out from the competition and highlights the unique qualities and strengths of an interior designer.

Research and Analysis

As a skilled interior designer, your resume must stand out from the rest of the competition. To ensure that you are showcasing the best of your capabilities, conducting thorough research and analysis is critical. This section covers what you need to know about researching and analyzing job postings, identifying keywords, and understanding the company and its culture.

A. Conducting research and analyzing job postings

Before creating your interior design resume, it is essential to look for job postings that match your skills, experience, and interests. Networking, job search engines, and interior design associations are all excellent sources to find job opportunities.

Once you have found job postings that interest you, read them carefully to understand the specific skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is looking for. Analyze the job requirements meticulously and compare them to your experiences and skills. Doing this will help you determine your unique selling points, which can make your resume stand out from the rest.

B. Identifying keywords

Identifying keywords is vital to ensure that your resume gets past the initial screening process. Most employers and recruiters use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes to look for specific keywords.

To identify keywords, read through the job posting and pick up on the keywords that the employer has used repeatedly. Using these keywords in your resume can make you more visible to ATS programs.

C. Understanding the company and its culture

Understanding the company and its culture is an essential aspect when applying for a job. The employer is looking for a candidate who can adapt to their company culture and values.

Before submitting your interior design resume, research the company, its history, values, and any recent news. Analyze the company’s branding techniques, as this will give you an insight into the employer’s style and preferences. Use this information to tailor your resume to the company specifically.

Conducting thorough research and analysis into job postings, identifying keywords, and understanding the company and its culture is crucial to ensure that your interior design resume does not go unnoticed, and you secure the job of your dreams.

Format of the Resume

A well-formatted resume can make a great first impression on a potential employer. Therefore, it is important to choose the right resume format, organize the resume in a clear and concise manner, and use effective formatting tips to showcase your skills and experience.

A. Choosing the right Resume Format

The three most popular resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination.

Chronological: This format is ideal for those with a consistent work history and a clear progression of positions in their field. It lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent job.
Functional: This format emphasizes your skills and achievements, rather than your work history. It is ideal for those who have gaps in their employment or are switching careers.
Combination: As the name suggests, this format is a combination of the chronological and functional formats. It highlights both your skills and work history, making it a great option for those who have relevant experience in their field.

Choose the resume format that best suits your skills and experience, and tailor it to the specific job you are applying for.

B. Organizing the Resume

No matter which format you choose, it is important to organize your resume in a clear and concise manner. Follow these guidelines to ensure that your resume is effective:

Start with a clear and concise objective statement that highlights your career goals and relevant skills.
List your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Include your job title, company name, dates of employment, and job responsibilities.
Emphasize your professional achievements and successes in each job, using bullet points to make them stand out.
Include relevant education and certification information, as well as any professional development or training you have completed.
Highlight any relevant skills or qualifications that set you apart from other candidates.

C. Formatting Tips

In addition to choosing the right resume format and organizing your resume effectively, using effective formatting tips can help you stand out from other candidates. Here are a few tips to consider:

Use a legible font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and keep the font size between 10-12 points.
Use bold text and bullet points to emphasize key information and make your resume easier to read.
Avoid using graphics, tables, or charts, as they can be difficult to read and may not be compatible with all software systems.
Keep your resume to one page if possible, and limit the use of industry jargon or technical language.
Check for spelling and grammar errors, and proofread carefully before submitting your resume.

By choosing the right resume format, organizing your resume effectively, and using effective formatting tips, you can create a standout interior design resume that showcases your skills and experience to potential employers.

Personal Information

A. Contact Information

Your contact information should be included at the top of your interior design resume. This information should include your full name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. If you have any professional social media profiles or a personal website, you may want to include those as well.

B. Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a brief introduction to who you are as an interior designer. It should highlight your strengths, experience, and skills. It’s important to make sure that your personal statement is well-written and engaging, as it can be the first thing a potential employer reads about you.

When crafting a personal statement, you should consider the following questions:

What are your unique skills and experience that set you apart as an interior designer?
What is your design philosophy or approach?
What are your career goals and how do you hope to achieve them in your role as an interior designer?

Your personal statement shouldn’t be longer than a few sentences and should be written in a conversational tone.

C. Objective Statement

An objective statement is optional on an interior design resume, but if you choose to include one, it should be a specific and measurable goal. An objective statement is different from a personal statement, as it focuses specifically on what you hope to achieve in your next position.

When crafting an objective statement, you should consider the following questions:

What type of position do you hope to pursue in the interior design industry?
What skills and experience do you hope to gain in this position?
What kind of value do you hope to bring to your next employer as an interior designer?

Your objective statement should be concise and to the point. It should also be tailored to the specific position you’re applying for. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any interior design job. Instead, focus on what makes you a unique and valuable candidate for that specific role.

Education and Certifications

Interior design is a profession that requires not only creativity and talent but also education and certifications. A well-designed interior design resume must showcase the candidate’s educational background and certifications.

A. Education Background

When it comes to your education background, make sure to include your degree, the major, the institution attended, and the graduation date. If you have attended multiple institutions or received additional diplomas, list them in reverse chronological order.

If you did not receive a degree but completed relevant coursework, include it in your education section. It is essential to highlight any design-related courses in which you excelled, such as color theory or furniture design.

Also, including any honors or awards, you received during your studies will set you apart from other candidates.

B. Certifications and Licenses

Interior design certifications and licenses are a testament to your education, experience, and professionalism. They demonstrate your commitment to the industry’s best practices and the latest trends.

List all the certifications and licenses you have earned, including the granting organization, the certification or license’s description, and the issue and expiration dates.

If you are currently pursuing a certification or license, mention that in your resume, but be sure to specify the expected completion date.

Please avoid embellishing your certifications and licenses as this could lead to major trust issues.

Education and certifications are crucial components of a well-crafted interior design resume. Emphasize these sections to showcase your training and qualifications and increase your chances of attaining an interview.

Work Experience

As an interior designer, your work experience could make or break your resume. This section should include all of your relevant work experience, starting with your most recent position. Remember, employers are looking for experience that aligns with their needs.

A. Listing Relevant Work Experience

When listing your work experience, include the dates worked, the employer’s name, and your job title. Be sure to highlight your experience that aligns with the interior design industry. It’s essential to state the scope of your role and professional achievements.

B. Writing Job Descriptions

When describing your roles, outline your responsibilities, duties, and achievements. For example, if you worked as an interior designer for a hotel chain, highlight the number of rooms you designed, the design process, and how the final designs align with the hotel’s theme. The job descriptions should be relevant and succinct.

C. Highlighting Accomplishments

Apart from highlighting your duties, you should also mention your accomplishments. This section should include your most significant achievements. For example, note significant cost savings achieved by re-sourcing materials or achieving a strategic redesign goal in record time or achieving positive reviews from satisfied clients. Including these accomplishments will give your employer an idea of what you can bring to the table.

Your work experience should showcase your skills, design tastes, and capabilities. With the three, work experience categorizes; relevant listings, well-written job descriptions, and highlighting accomplishments will set you apart from the competition.

Skills

Interior design resumes require the inclusion of relevant skills because they inform hiring managers and recruiters about your capacity to deliver on the job. Your skillset should reflect your proficiency in the position and ability to handle various tasks. In this section, we will discuss how to list, categorize and explain your skills in your interior design resume.

A. Listing relevant skills

When listing relevant skills in your interior design resume, prioritize your technical skills over your soft skills. Your technical skills, such as proficiency in AutoCAD or Adobe Creative Suite, among others, are indisputable evidence of your practical knowledge and experience.

Additionally, interior design requires teamwork, project management, and communication skills, which are equally essential. List any other skills you possess that enhance your competency in the interior design industry. For instance, proficiency in project scheduling, budgeting and time management skills, and negotiations abilities.

B. Categorizing skills

To make your skills more organized, categorize your skills into groups, such as technical skills, transferable skills, and soft skills. This method will give recruiters and hiring managers a clear picture of what you can offer in different domains.

Technical skills: These skills are specific to the interior design industry and use various software programs necessary on the job. Examples include AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, and 3D Max.
Transferable skills: These are skills that are useful in various industries and can be useful in interior design. They include management skills, leadership skills, and communication skills.
Soft skills: These skills are personal traits and qualities that help you execute your work effectively. Examples include creativity, attention to detail, problem-solving and organization skills.

C. Explaining skills

Explaining your skills in your interior design resume gives insight into how you have applied your skills to meet specific challenges or limitations. Use a simple language approach to communicate your experience and always emphasize how you have contributed to the success of projects.

For example:

Technical Skills: I have worked on several interior design projects using several software programs such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop and 3D Max to prepare floor plans, elevations and 3D models. I have also used Adobe Creative Suite to create visual presentations and renderings.
Transferable Skills: During my career, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership and management expertise while managing teams and liaising with clients. I also have excellent communication, time management and problem-solving skills.
Soft Skills: I possess excellent creativity abilities, attention to detail, and accuracy, consistently producing high-quality interior designs that balance functionality and aesthetics.

Listing, categorizing and explaining your skills in your interior design resume is a crucial aspect of your job search. Highlight your technical skills, transferable skills, and soft skills and showcase how you have applied these skills in past projects. This way, you will create an impression that you are the right candidate for the job.

Projects Section

As an interior designer, showcasing your past projects is essential in your resume. It not only highlights your skills and accomplishments but also gives potential employers an idea of your design style and capabilities. In this section, we will discuss the appropriate way to present your projects, writing project descriptions, and including project keywords.

A. Appropriate Section for Projects

The projects section should be placed after the employment history section in your resume. It should include a list of your most recent and noteworthy projects. Each project should have a brief description, including the name of the client, the size of the project, the budget, the role you played, and any significant challenges you faced.

B. Writing Project Descriptions

When writing project descriptions, make sure to include the following details:

The name of the project
The location of the project
The size of the project
The budget of the project
The timeline of the project
The objectives of the project
Your role in the project
The challenges you faced during the project
The solutions you came up with

Here is an example of a well-written project description:

“ABC Restaurant, New York City, NY – 2500 sq. ft. – $100,000 budget – 3 months As the lead designer for the ABC restaurant project, I oversaw the complete design of the restaurant from concept to execution. My objectives were to create a space that was modern, elegant, and functional while incorporating the client’s brand identity. I collaborated with the client and the construction team to ensure that the project was completed within the given timeline and budget. One of the greatest challenges we faced was dealing with the limited space, but I was able to incorporate creative solutions such as the use of custom-built furniture to maximize the seating capacity.”

C. Including Project Keywords

Including project keywords in your resume is important because it makes your resume searchable by recruiters and employers. Project keywords are the specific words or phrases that describe the project, such as the type of space, style, or materials used. Here are some examples of project keywords:

Residential design
Commercial design
Hospitality design
Contemporary design
Traditional design
Sustainable design
High-end finishes
Custom furniture
Lighting design
Budget management

Make sure to include relevant project keywords in your project descriptions based on the type of project you worked on. However, avoid overloading your resume with too many keywords as it may appear spammy.

The projects section is a crucial part of your interior design resume. Make sure to showcase your best projects, write well-crafted project descriptions, and include relevant project keywords. This will not only make your resume stand out but also increase your chances of getting hired for your dream job.

Awards and Achievements

A. Appropriate Section for Awards

Your awards and achievements should be included in a dedicated section towards the end of your interior design resume, generally following your work experience and education sections.

B. Writing About Awards

When writing about your awards, remember to include the name of the award, the organization that presented it, and the date it was received. If the award is particularly prestigious or relevant to interior design, provide some background information about it to give context.

For example:

Received the ASID Design Excellence Award in 2018 for the “Best Residential Renovation” category for my work on a historic home renovation project.
Recognized as a finalist for the International Design Awards in 2017 for my collaborative work on a luxury hotel redesign.

C. Highlighting Achievements

Achievements can include unique skills or accomplishments that set you apart from other interior designers. These can be related to past projects, education, or professional development. Use this section to show prospective employers what makes you stand out as an interior designer.

Here are some examples of achievements to highlight:

Successfully designed and managed a $1 million+ renovation project from start to finish, resulting in a 20% increase in property value upon completion.
Developed and taught a seminar on designing for sustainability, educating over 50 industry professionals on environmentally friendly interior design practices.
Completed a six-month intensive design program at the Pratt Institute, learning advanced skills in typography, graphic design, and color theory.

Remember to keep your achievements relevant to the interior design industry and the job you are applying for. Use numbers and statistics wherever possible to illustrate the impact of your work. By showcasing your unique accomplishments and skills, you can make a strong impression on potential employers and stand out from the competition.

Cover Letter

A. Importance of a Cover Letter

When applying for a job, a cover letter can make a huge difference in getting noticed by an employer. A well-written cover letter introduces yourself to the employer, provides a brief summary of your qualifications, and showcases your personality and communication skills. It complements your resume by expanding on your experiences and highlighting your strengths.

Moreover, a cover letter can demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and the company. It shows that you have done your research and understand the company culture and values. And, if you are applying through a referral, a cover letter can acknowledge the connection and express your appreciation for the opportunity.

B. Writing Tips for Cover Letters

To write an effective cover letter, follow these tips:

1. Address the Hiring Manager

Try to find out the name and title of the hiring manager or the person who will review your application. Addressing the letter to the right person shows that you have made an effort and increases the chances of getting a response.

2. Customize the Content

Avoid using a generic cover letter for all job applications. Tailor the content to the specific job requirements and the company culture. Use keywords from the job posting and align your skills and achievements with the job responsibilities.

3. Be Concise and Clear

Keep the cover letter to one page or less and use a clear and simple writing style. Emphasize your relevant experiences, skills, and qualifications that match the job requirements. Avoid repeating the information on your resume or including irrelevant details.

4. Showcase Your Personality

A cover letter is also an opportunity to showcase your personality and communication style. Use active verbs and write with enthusiasm and confidence. Include a personal anecdote or a relevant achievement that demonstrates your passion for the job.

5. Close with a Call to Action

End the cover letter with a call to action, such as requesting an interview or a follow-up call. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and your excitement to contribute to the company. And, don’t forget to proofread and edit the letter for any errors or typos.

By following these writing tips, you can create a compelling cover letter that can increase your chances of getting selected for an interview. A well-crafted cover letter can show your professionalism, personality, and suitability for the job. Good luck!

Example Resumes

A. Examples of Interior Design Resumes

To help inspire your own resume, we have gathered some examples of interior design resumes. These examples showcase how other interior designers have presented their education, work experience, and skills on their resume. Take a look at the following examples:

Example 1: This resume features a clean and modern design. It highlights the candidate’s education and work experience in a clear and concise manner, while also showcasing their skills with software programs and design software.
Example 2: This resume has a more creative and artistic design. It features a section on the candidate’s design philosophy, as well as a portfolio of their work. The resume also highlights their experience in project management and their proficiency with design tools.
Example 3: This resume is more traditional in format, but still stands out with its use of color and typography. It emphasizes the candidate’s experience working with clients and managing projects, as well as their proficiency with design software.

B. Analysis of the Examples

Looking at these examples, there are a few key takeaways for creating your own interior design resume:

Tailor your resume to the job: Consider the specific job you are applying for and tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to that job.
Design matters: As an interior designer, your resume should showcase your design skills. Make sure the design of your resume is visually appealing and reflects your personal style.
Include a portfolio if possible: If you have a portfolio of your work, consider including a link or samples within your resume. This can give potential employers a better sense of your design style and capabilities.

C. Tips for Improving

Based on the above examples and analysis, here are some additional tips for improving your interior design resume:

Lead with your strengths: Prioritize the most impressive aspects of your education and experience, and make sure those are the first things potential employers see on your resume.
Be specific: Use quantifiable metrics and examples to illustrate your accomplishments and demonstrate your value. This can include specific project successes, awards, or client satisfaction ratings.
Stand out with your design choices: Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold color choices or unique typography. Just make sure your design choices are a reflection of your personal style and not distracting from the content of your resume.

With these tips and examples in mind, you can create a strong and visually appealing interior design resume that showcases your skills and experience to potential employers.

Interior Design Resume Writing Tips and Examples for 2024