Blog #3 - Danielle - Designer Résumé vs. Non-Designer Résumé

Kaixo!

Blog #3 In your opinion, what is the difference between a designer’s resume vs. a non-designer’s resume?




Non-Designer

• Alrighty, so in my opinion, the non-designer résumé, in terms of visuals could be described as more plain and "professional-looking", usually for the purpose of the fact that the employer is to focus on what the résumé says and not have the visuals distract him/her. And seeing as though, the jobs they are applying to don't require creativity, there would really be no inherent need to make a snazzy résumé.

• In terms of content, the non-designer résumé focuses more on past skills, past achievements, and past positions, as well as voluntary activity -all in an attempt to see how that person will help the company grow, and how well-rounded they are; they also use it to measure work ethic, and of course, to see if the person is well suited for the job. 

Designer

• The designer résumé now, visually, is very appealing. I basically consider them to be info-graphics in and of themselves, as they are visual representations of information; they present data in a more legible, attractive and easy way. This makes the designer's résumé more appealing to the employer and, if it is a good design, may just make the the designer get hired, as the designer résumé could also be considered to be a portfolio piece -a piece that advertises what their other pieces are like, what he/she is capable of. 

• In terms of content, the designer résumé does focus on past involvements and education, but what is more highlighted on these résumés is the level of skill the designer has in industry-standard software such as the Adobe Creative Suite. As a matter of fact, on some résumés, they don't go into any detail about their voluntary services, past positions held, or don't even focus too much on the education -even if they've achieved so much the fields. Obviously it is because, when you boil down to it, it's your proficiency in the software that really matters -not to say your education and overall background aren't (because the employer/client will need to know that you are an educated person who can comprehend things, communicate effectively, has ambition, and shows some level of intelligence before wanting to work with you of course), -but however, it really is moreso down to your technical skills. A client is more likely to hire a designer who only has a high-school GED but proficient in Adobe software rather than a designer with a Phd, who does not have much skill. Why? Because if they can't use the software, how will the client get what he/she wants?

Examples:

Designer Résumés. 

As you can see, they mostly measure out their skills in the relevant software.

               

Non-Designer Résumés.

These focus on past postions, education, co-curricular activities, how well well-rounded the person is etc.

Thank you.

^.^