Creative Professional Resumes

What is a Creative Resume?

A resume is a brief (ideally one-page) written compilation of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments and is used to apply for jobs, internships and other opportunities.

The ultimate purpose of a resume is to present your background and qualifications in a way that results in you getting an interview.

Your creative resume should primarily highlight information that is directly and indirectly relevant to your field of study, and should be targeted towards the type of position you are seeking.

Your resume will be sent (along with a cover letter) to prospective employers when you apply for openings. You can send it electronically (as a PDF attachment) or upload it to an application within an online job board. There might be times when you need to send a hard copy via US Mail.

Why Write a Resume?

You will need a resume to apply for internships and jobs as well as graduate school. A resume is always a work-in-progress, so it is important to keep it updated. Once you have written your first resume, it is then easy for you to simply add new information as you gain more skills, knowledge and experience. Keeping your resume current will ensure that you are not frantically scrambling to throw one together if you are asked for it unexpectedly.

Basic Resume Guidelines

Create your resume yourself, from scratch. It can be helpful to look at sample resumes, but you do not want to copy someone else's content or design. Use samples for inspiration to then craft a resume that is uniquely your own. Most resumes can be easily written in Microsoft Word, Adobe Pages or Google Docs. Designers might want to use Adobe InDesign. Whatever platform you use, always save the version that you will use to apply as a PDF. Also avoid using resume templates, as they often have hidden codes that make it difficult to update in the future. In addition, most templates are intended for non-creative professions and do not have the flexibility to accommodate the unique sections and layouts that creative resumes require.

Readability is essential since most resumes are reviewed quickly, in under 10 seconds.

Ideally, keep your resume on one page. You can use smaller margins (1/2 inch) or a smaller font to get the information to fit more easily. Font size should not be smaller than 10 points (depending on the font, as some styles are smaller/larger than others – be sure to try various fonts and sizes to find the one that works best for you while remaining legible to those reading it). If you are simply unable to fit everything on one page, then two pages is acceptable, but then spread out the information to fill up both pages (avoid having just a few lines at the top of page two).

Information within each section should be listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first)

People read from top to bottom, so your most impressive and relevant information/sections should be higher on the page than less relevant (yet still important) information

Avoid the use of personal pronouns (I, me, my) as it is understood and becomes very redundant. Drop these from the start of lines so they instead begin with an action verb.

Your resume must be free of ANY typographical, grammatical, or spelling errors. You are judged on how you present yourself in writing, and if you make a mistake in your resume, they may assume you will make mistakes on the job.

For a resume that will be submitted online or sent via email, save it as a PDF (and view it before sending to ensure it converted properly). If printing your resume, use white, gray, or cream paper (avoid using regular printer paper)

It is acceptable to use color, graphics, images and logos in your resume, but don't overdo it. Remember that this is a professional document, not a design project.

Essential Components of a Resume

Header with contact information: name, address (optional), email, cell #, website/portfolio URL (if you have one), social media handles

Objective (optional but recommended) - Briefly stating the type of opportunity you are seeking and what skills & knowledge you have to offer. Also the place to specify if you are seeking an internship or a job (part-time, full-time, summer, etc.)

Education:

Highest degree first
BFA.XXX, University of the Arts, expected May 20XX
Consider using Courses Include: (Two or three relevant courses)
No high school should be listed

Experience:

You may use multiple experience sections to highlight your related/creative experiences over their other/less-related experiences (i.e. "Related Experience" and "Other Experience")
List positions in reverse chronological order within each sub-section of experience
For each position, include Position title, Company, City/State, Dates & Brief descriptions of your responsibilities and successes
Avoid use of personal pronouns (I/me/my) and start each line with an action verb. (View 185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome)
Internships, unpaid and volunteer positions can be included

Honors and Awards

List any scholarships, awards, honors, etc. you have received

Discipline-Specific Information to Include in your Resume

Visual Artists & Designers:

Academic Projects: list the name of the project and include a brief description (not the general assignment but what you chose to do for it). The purpose of this is to pique the reader's interest and make them want to view the project in your portfolio as well as want to meet you to discuss it during an interview.
Exhibitions: list the show name, gallery name, city, state, month/year
Skills: list mediums, techniques, processes, equipment, software programs, etc.
Feel free to add your own sections that are relevant to your unique experiences

Performing Artists:

Performances: list show title, role, venue, city, state, month/year
Training: if you have additional training outside of UArts, include those experiences
Skills: list directly relevant skills as well as others that may be valuable, include software (if necessary for your field)
Feel free to add your own sections that are relevant to your unique experiences

Writers:

Written Projects: list the name of the project and include a brief description (not the general assignment but what you chose to do for it). The purpose of this is to pique the reader's interest and make them want to view the project in your portfolio as well as want to meet you to discuss it during an interview.
Skills: list directly relevant skills as well as others that may be valuable, include software (if necessary for your field)
Feel free to add your own sections that are relevant to your unique experiences