Many talented and capable graphic designers find their resumes filed in the circular file bin, otherwise known as the trash can or recycling bin. Why do these educated, talented, and worthy graphic designers get their graphic design resumes tossed out? Typically, graphic design resumes get tossed due to simple, avoidable mistakes that are made by many beginning graphic designers.
The first mistake that many people make when looking for their first job as a graphic designer that gets their graphic design resumes tossed out is that they try to display their talent within their resume, not through description, but through vivid graphic design. Graphic design resumes should be simple and professional. Fancy fonts, graphics, and page borders do not belong in graphic design resumes. While they will grab the attention of the hiring managers, these graphic design resumes will be promptly laughed at and tossed away.
The second most common mistake that many people make when creating graphic design resumes is that they do not proofread their resume before sending it to prospective employers. When there are mistakes, or even one obvious mistake, in graphic design resumes, hiring managers automatically assume that the graphic designer lacks attention to detail, and regardless of the qualifications that the graphic designer may possess, these graphic design resumes also end up tossed aside.
The third most common mistake that people make when creating graphic design resumes is that they do not accurately showcase their abilities, skills, and strengths in their graphic design resumes. Your employment history should not only include dates and job titles, supervisor names and company names and locations, but it should show your duties, accomplishments, and major achievements. If your employment at a graphic design firm, or your efforts in an internship, resulted in a benefit to the firm, you should include that information in your employment history.
There are many other reasons that graphic design resumes get tossed aside in favor of other, less qualified graphic designers. Listing employment history that does not qualify you for the position sought is a common mistake. Listing interests, hobbies, and other personal affiliations that do not have anything to do with graphic design will also get graphic design resumes tossed out.
If you have a college education, belong to professional associations, or have other certifications in graphic design you should list them in your graphic design resumes. Be sure to include any detailed information that highlights your skills and talents that were exhibited in your educational track. Graphic design resumes that have little or no experience and do not include this type of information will promptly be tossed out in favor of better qualified candidates. However, you should not list your high school education on your graphic design resumes unless you have not yet completed your college education, or if you obtained significant skills or awards related to graphic design while in high school.
Finally, make sure that your graphic design resumes do not contain any falsified, fraudulent, or exaggerated information. Not only might this unethical behavior get graphic design resumes tossed out, it could lead to termination from employment gained through falsified or exaggerated graphic design resumes.