Interior Design Resume Examples, Skills, and Template
Interior design is a competitive field. Here’s how the right interior design resume can help you stand out from the crowd.
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Jobs That Use Interior Design Resumes
Interior design is a highly competitive field of employment, but the right resume can make the difference between you landing a design job, or missing out. Follow these guidelines to help you create a resume that is as striking as your design work.
Here are some of the more common jobs that can benefit from a solid interior design resume:
- Interior designer
- Spatial designer
- Exhibition designer
- Production designer (e.g., for theater or film)
- Visual merchandiser
- Showroom designer or merchandiser
Important Elements To Keep in Mind for Interior Design Resumes
When a hiring manager considers your interior design resume, they will be looking for certain skills and experience above others. The resume template structure outlined below is for job seekers who have less experience (also known as a functional resume format). If you have ample work experience, you should place your work history section above your skills section.
Skills
The skills section should be a summary of all the skills that make you suited for the role you are applying for. Whether you are applying for an entry-level role or a position in senior management, there are certain skills that will be desirable. The most commonly listed skills on an interior design resume are:
- InDesign
- Sketchup
- Space planning
- Problem-solving
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- Adobe Photoshop
- Project management
- Autodesk
- Commercial client relations
- Developing design concepts
- Creating design plans
- Interpersonal skills
- Managing a design team
- FF&E
- Graphic design
- Interior design skills
- Producing renderings
- Microsoft proficiency
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Illustration
Notice that this list contains soft skills (intangible abilities such as teamwork and time management) and hard skills (specific knowledge learned through training) that are required for decorator, interior designer or design creative work. Take the time to read the job description you are applying for to identify which skills the design firm in question wants most and prioritize them when creating your skills section.
Work experience
List your job titles in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent, and go back 10 years at most. When discussing your employment history, specify projects that were particularly successful or challenging. Internships should be listed in a separate section.
Education
Your education section will be minimally important once you have a robust work experience section, but if you are a recent graduate, it can really help you to catch a recruiter’s eye. If you have a bachelor’s degree in interior design, list it here, along with any relevant coursework or academic projects.
Achievements and awards
Awards and notable achievements are fantastic additions to any interior design resume. If you can, list two or three notable achievements, recognitions or awards, giving some details about the achievement. For example, don’t simply say, “Jane Drew Award (2013),” but instead list it as “Recipient of Jane Drew Award for Architecture (2013)” and note which project in particular won you the award.
Certifications
If you have any interior design certifications or qualifications beyond a college degree (such as the NCIDQ certification) you should list them here.
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Six Tips for Creating Your Interior Design Resume
When it comes to writing your own interior design resume, here’s six tips for writing the best resume possible. They are:
Use professional sans serif fonts (e.g., Arial).
Be concise and clear – use punchy phrases and bullet points instead of lengthy sentences.
Don’t list irrelevant hard or soft skills – always check the job description to make sure you’re focusing on the right skills.
List internships and volunteer work when they are relevant.
Ensure your page margin sizes are between 0.5 and one inch.
Proofread twice before submitting your resume.
These simple resume tips will ensure that no small details undermine all your hard work. If you want to make the process of creating your resume even more efficient, use ResumeHelp’s resume builder for step-by-step guidance that results in a professional, polished resume.
FAQ: Interior Design Resume Examples
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Do I need to submit a cover letter with interior design resumes?
Yes, you should always provide a cover letter with your interior design resume if you want to stand a good chance of getting a job interview. Your cover letter is a unique opportunity to address a specific hiring manager directly and make a persuasive case about your suitability for the role. A great cover letter can provide essential context and address gaps in your resume. The only exception to this rule is where a potential employer specifically asks not to submit one.
Can I get an interior design job with no experience?
It is possible to find an entry-level interior design job with no professional experience, but it will be easier if you can show that you have some non-professional experience. Relevant volunteer work, charity work, or even a personal project can help to bolster your resume skills and experience.
Is it a good idea to change up my interior design resume for every job posting?
Yes, you should customize your interior design resume to suit every job posting you apply for. Tailor your resume by looking at the job posting for the key skills and experience required. Highlight those areas in which your skill set and the needs of the role overlap in your resume.
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