1. Properly Label Your Work vs. Team Work
Be specific about your role on all collaborative work included in your portfolio. Other team members may be submitting the same projects for the same job and you don’t want it to appear that you are taking credit for someone else’s work. This can give a bad impression to a potential employer.
2. Keep Your Resume Clear and Concise
Don’t submit an overly long resume. One page is sufficient, especially when you are early in your career. Remove any experience that doesn’t directly relate to the position to which you are applying. Your waitressing experience may not be necessary!
3. Be Sure Your Resume is Well-Organized (and Designed)
Don’t over brand your resume. A clean, well-organized layout that is easy to review quickly in terms of education, work experience, and skill sets is best. Too many font styles, colors, or a bold background will take away from your work, and your work needs to be the main focus.
4. Never Send a Word Document
You never know when someone might be reviewing your resume or portfolio—it might be in an airport on a tablet! Send all documents in a format, such as an exported pdf, that can be read on multiple devices and won’t change formatting.
5. Create A Professional Online Presence
Personal websites are not required, but they can be useful for a potential employer to learn more about you or to see additional work samples. Establish and keep your LinkedIn Profile up to date. Many employers search profiles prior to an interview, and in some cases, before an interview is offered. For all sites, include a professional headshot. A cropped photo of you at a party is not okay! It’s easy to snap a photo in business attire and upload.
About the Author
This list was developed by the ASID Emerging Professionals Advisory Council (EPAC). The EPAC works to engage with and develop programs for recent graduates and new designers to encourage career advancement and promote contributions within the interior design profession.
