If you’re aiming to land a UX/UI Designer interview, having a well-crafted CV or resume is crucial. This article is designed to provide you with clear, straightforward advice on how to present your skills, experience, and design philosophy effectively.
We’ll walk you through each section of the CV, offering practical tips and real examples to help you create a resume that stands out to employers in the UX/UI design field. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, this guide will equip you with the tools you need to make a strong impression and move one step closer to your next job opportunity.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
UX/UI Designer Job Description Example
UX/UI Designer Wanted at Innovative Tech Company
Are you passionate about creating seamless, user-friendly digital experiences? We are looking for a talented UX/UI Designer to join our dynamic team at an innovative tech company. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a keen eye for design and a user-centric approach to help shape the future of our digital products.
What You Will Do:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand user needs and business goals, translating them into creative and intuitive design solutions.
- Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs for a variety of digital platforms, using tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma.
- Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate design concepts.
- Work closely with developers to ensure accurate implementation of designs, maintaining design consistency and integrity throughout the development process.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest design trends, techniques, and technologies, continuously seeking ways to innovate and improve our products.
What We’re Looking For:
- A portfolio showcasing strong skills in UX/UI design, including examples of mobile and web applications.
- Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, and InVision.
- Experience in conducting user research, usability testing, and interpreting user feedback.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- A problem-solving mindset and a commitment to creating user-centered design solutions.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation and creativity.
- Work in a collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions are valued.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development in the field of UX/UI design.
- A chance to make a significant impact on the user experience of our products and services.
If you are a creative thinker with a passion for UX/UI design and a desire to create meaningful digital experiences, we would love to hear from you. Join us in our mission to deliver exceptional digital products that meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our users.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
UX/UI Designer Professional Summary Example
- With over 10 years of experience in the UX/UI design field, holding a Master’s degree in Digital Design and a Certified User Experience Professional (CUXP) accreditation. Expertise spans across user experience research, interactive design, and visual branding, proficient in tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma.
- Led the redesign of TechSolutions Inc.’s mobile application, which resulted in a 40% increase in user engagement and a 25% rise in customer satisfaction within six months, showcasing skills in user-centric design and effective stakeholder communication.
- Recently focused on enhancing the user experience for Stellar Authority’s suite of SaaS products, contributing to a 30% growth in the user base through meticulous user research, iterative design improvements, and close collaboration with cross-functional development teams.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities on your CV, focus on how you’ve made a real impact in your UX/UI design role. Instead of simply stating “Designed user interfaces for mobile and web applications,” you could say, “Crafted engaging user interfaces for over 20 mobile and web applications, leading to a 30% increase in user retention and a 40% boost in customer satisfaction.” This approach not only shows that you have experience in designing interfaces but also demonstrates the positive outcomes of your work, highlighting your ability to create designs that resonate with users and meet business goals.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
UX/UI Designer CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Understand the Audience 🎯 Before you start writing your CV, remember that your audience is likely to be hiring managers and team leads in the tech industry. They’re looking for clear evidence of your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you fit into a team. Tailor your CV to speak directly to these needs.
Showcase Your Design Skills 🎨 Highlight your proficiency in key design tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, or Figma. Don’t just list them; provide examples of projects where you’ve effectively used these tools. If you’ve kept up with the latest design trends or technologies, make sure to mention these as well.
Quantify Your Achievements 📈 Instead of just listing your job responsibilities, focus on what you’ve achieved. Use numbers and percentages to give a clear picture of your impact. For example, “Increased user engagement by 40% through a redesigned mobile app interface.”
Include a Strong Portfolio 📁 Your portfolio is as important as your CV. Include a link to your online portfolio. Make sure it’s up-to-date and showcases a range of your work, including process sketches, wireframes, and final design mockups.
Highlight Soft Skills 🤝 UX/UI design isn’t just about technical skills. Soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are crucial. Include examples of how you’ve collaborated with others or solved complex design problems.
Keep It Concise and Readable ✂️ Avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary jargon. Use clear, concise language and ensure your CV is easy to read. Organize information logically, and use headings and bullet points to break up text.
Customize for the Role 🔍 Each job application should have a slightly different CV. Tailor your CV to match the job description, emphasizing the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role.
Proofread and Get Feedback 🔎 Always proofread your CV for typos and grammatical errors. If possible, get feedback from peers or mentors in the UX/UI field. They can provide valuable insights on how to improve your CV.
UX/UI Designer CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.