Design Industry CVs - thoughts..
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- Mojo
I think that our industry is quite different in regards to most other jobs, in that we are portfolio-based, but also are generally encouraged to be a little bit creative with our CVs.
But my question is, how do you know a good creative-industry CV? I mean, obviously experience, and what you've achieved are king, but it seems there are so many variables when it comes to compiling your CV - where do you start?
I could pay a few hundred pounds to have my cv re-written, but how do you know it'll be any good in today's world?
Interested in your thoughts.
- Douglas0
Keep it clean and easy to read, follow a grid, list your contact, job experience, education, programs you know, awards... and you're done. I think that Goals/Objectives are kinda lame and can be discussed during the interview. Do not over design it.
- Mojo0
Yeah, that's pretty much what I think and have done myself.
I found a business that re-write CVs etc, supposedly they are super-effective etc, anyway - they had a free CV review. You upload your CV, and they give you a number to call, and someone goes over your CV with you over the phone.
I did that, and they were telling me I shouldn't write in the first person, and that my skills should be listed above my experience, don't have a personal profile (vs my career summary), and a few other things.
Isn't our industry a bit different when it comes to CVs? I just wonder that Creative Industry CVs should be treated a little differently than your standard CV.
- yes, do not follow the standard CV blah blah.akrokdesign
- write it however you want to write it. its YOUR cv and a reflection of YOUR personality23kon
- Yeah for sure, but at the same time, while doing that I'm sure there are some blatant things we do that FAILMojo
- 23kon0
write it yourself so its written the way you speak and type.
so it gives the reader an idea about you in tone as well as content.the way to know a good cv or folio is one that is memorable.
something different that hasnt been done before OR something that has obviously taken the individual some time to prepare/create uniquely for your company.we had a cv sent through that was in the style of a handrwitten journal/diary. the cv was done in a really nice handwritten typeface and the she had put the book together herself. we were argueing internally whether or not the font was handwritten or not lol.
nothing is worse than receiving a letter or email knowing fullwell that the sender has sent the same thing out to 200 other companies with no effort other than clicking 'send'.
- gramme0
Question for you guys:
Until now, I've listed Education before Job Experience on my resume. I've been working since 2003. At this point, should Job Experience now come before Education? Also, if I list all relevant job experience, I'd have 2 interships, sporadic freelance work, an in-house job and my current studio position. Is that too much? At what point in one's career should the resume grow from one to two pages?
- job experience (in the industry) is more important that education.23kon
- I've always thought experience over education. But then, I haven't got a degree.Mojo
- hagramme
- experience first, if necessary condense older stuff and expand upon recent positionBluejam
- :)Mojo
- good stuff.gramme
- gramme, I've had your site on bookmarks for years - I've always thought - why don't you lose the popup window? ;)Mojo
- heh, yeah I really hate that old site...one day will totally overhaul it. Till then, not worth the effort.gramme
- yeah, put job exp. first.akrokdesign
- Job experience first. Most recent at the topDancer
- Mojo0
I'd be interested in what any PM, AD, CD, or SD who has had to deal with the task of employing people, would have to say on the subject.
If you are a creative director, project manager, senior etc, who has done this - why not let us know what you think on this subject?
- MSTRPLN0
Be judged on which paper stock you chose for your CV as well ...
- What if it's sent digitally eh?Mojo
- They'll judge that too! get a domain email instead of a hotmail /gmailMSTRPLN
- ...as it sounds more pro.akrokdesign
- Jimbo820
Kinda off subject but I had an interview for my now employers a year ago, clients are mainly architects etc so I turned up smart; trousers, shoes and shirt (no tie), naturally I thought I'd make an effort as I really wanted the role, turns out it counted against me as I was 'too' smart. It's a funny old game.
- Got the job though cos my portfolio was banging, innit.Jimbo82
- over dressed. thats funny. well its better then being under dressed.akrokdesign
- Exactly.Jimbo82
- I'll be keeping it inbetween.Mojo
- They said smart jeans, clean trainers and a t-shirt would have sufficed.Jimbo82
- ha! i once showed up to a creative dept for a corporate job and they said i was "too creative" lol. i was dressed in a business outfit as well.theredmasque
- i was dressed conservatively as well, and well groomed...theredmasque
- gramme0
Also these days people care more about conserving resources...so don't paint the back of your letterhead with a heavy metallic solid that renders the sheet unrecyclable.
- Mojo0
What about PDF CVs? Conserving but .. cheap?
- monoboy0
I've seen some truly horrific CV's. One dude sent in a bunch of creased up A3 photocopies (of a word template design). It was folded up into an A4 booklet with cellotape.
The guy was ex army, thought he should give the design industry the benefit of his untested design talents. No degree, no portfolio.
We all thought it was a hoax until the crazy bastard phoned our Design Manager demanding to know why he didn't get an interview.
He was scared to leave the building for weeks.
- monoboy0
And then there was the woman who turned up with a brochure for Church Pews as an example of her best work.
- They. Sound. AWESOME.Jimbo82
- sweet, she got the job?! LOL.akrokdesign
- Jimbo820
Oh yyyyeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh
- akrokdesign0
keep it one page.
- YAYPaul0
When interviewing I'm not all that bothered if the CV is one page or two. If it is two pages though I don't just want to see that you're single and enjoy snowboarding on the second page. Use the extra space productively.
Personally I've been working since 97 and it is damned hard to make a CV fit on one page. I can do it if needs be. But I prefer to use the first page for work experience, with some detail for at least the last two jobs/projects. The second page can then be used for skills, education etc. (Note: If you've worked for less than five years make it a one pager)
Oh and small fonts are hard to read and photocopy. Think about how much time the person reading your CV has. It's quicker for someone to read two 12pt pages than is it for them to read one 8pt page. Same goes for really long personal statements, a no-no. Think about how you can help someone read your CV, it'll go a long way.
- 12pt looks a bit shit when printed. I'd go 10pt, who's with me?monNom
- good advice, you too monNomjaylarson
- yeah, i use 8 - 10pt.akrokdesign
- Mojo0
Good post yaypaul.
- akrokdesign0
before you start working on your CV, have a...
- QBN0
This is a known issue, and we are currently working on a permanent resolution. Stand by.
- akrokdesign0
my resume is printed on glossy photo pager. (HP's) same goes with my cards.
pick what's best for you.
- Mojo0
What is a known issue?