14 UI/UX Design Resume Tips to Impress Hiring Managers

by Brenda Barron Stokes on Nov 17, 2022

As a UI/UX designer, you know that your resume is one of the most important tools in your job-hunting arsenal. It’s the first thing hiring managers will see, and it can make or break your chances of getting an interview. So, how can you make sure your resume shines above all the others? We can help! We’ve put together a list of 14 essential tips for UI/UX designers who want to create a resume that will get them noticed. Just keep reading.

1. Have a Clear and Defined Purpose for Your Resume and Cover Letter

When a hiring manager looks at your resume, they should be able to immediately understand what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you looking for a full-time position? A freelance gig? An internship? Be clear about your goals from the start.

Likewise, your cover letter should be tailored to each position you apply for. Don’t just copy and paste the same generic letter for every job – take the time to customize it and explain why you’re a good fit for that particular role.

2. Research the Company You’re Applying To

Before you start writing your resume or cover letter, take some time to research the company you’re applying to. What kind of culture do they have? What kind of work do they produce? The more you know about the company, the better you’ll be able to sell yourself as a good fit.

A few ways to conduct this research include:

• Checking out the company’s website and reading its About Us page
• Searching for news articles about the company
• Looking at their social media accounts

3. Research Other UI/UX Resumes

This doesn’t mean you should copy someone else’s resume – far from it. But looking at other designers’ resumes can give you a good idea of what format and style to use for your own. Plus, you might get some ideas for content as well. Just make sure you’re always staying true to yourself – don’t try to be someone you’re not.

4. Use a Simple, Clean Resume Format

When it comes to resumes, less is almost always more. Hiring managers don’t want to wade through pages and pages of text – they want to be able to skim your resume quickly and easily, and pull out the most important information. So keep your resume format simple and clean, and only include the most relevant information. If you’re unsure as to what constitutes a simple resume format, here are a few key points to consider:

• Use a professional-looking font, such as Arial or Times New Roman
• Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points
• Use clear, concise language
• Stick to a traditional format unless the company itself publicizes an unusual aesthetic 

5. Use Plenty of White Space

White space is your friend when it comes to resume design. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of it! It will make your resume more visually appealing and easier to scan. You can help to assure there’s plenty of white space on your resume by:

• Keeping your margins between .5 and 1 inch
• Using bullet points to list information
• Avoiding big blocks of text
• Using columns and text boxes

6. Incorporate a Current UI/UX Design Trend

If you want your resume to stand out, try incorporating a current UI/UX design trend into its design. This will show that you’re up-to-date on the latest industry trends and that you have an eye for good design. Just make sure you don’t go overboard – a little bit of trendiness will go a long way.

For 2023, you may wish to consider including one of the following:

• A gradient background
• Illustrative elements
• Bold and bright colors
• Unusual or unexpected layouts

7. Use Clear, Concise Language

When writing your resume, be sure to use clear, concise language. Avoid fluffy words and phrases that don’t add anything to your qualifications. Stick to action verbs and specific examples to paint a picture of your skills and experience.

As for your cover letter, be sure to include specifics like:

• A personalized greeting
• The name of the company you’re applying to
• The name of the position you’re applying for
• Why you’re interested in working for that particular company
• What makes you a good fit for the position you’re applying for and what you’d bring to the role

8. Use Visual Elements to Your Advantage

Remember – as a designer, you have an advantage when it comes to your resume! Use visual elements to your advantage and incorporate some design skills into your resume. But beware – don’t go overboard. A few ways to do this include:

• Using shapes, colors, and icons to break up sections and add visual interest
• Selecting a modern resume template
• Including charts or graphs to visualize data

9. Highlight Your Skills and Experience

As a UI/UX designer, you likely have a wide range of skills and experience that you can draw from. When crafting your resume, be sure to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for. If you have a lot of experience, you may want to consider creating a separate section for your portfolio or relevant work samples as well.

It’s also a good idea to list your previous positions held in reverse-chronological order. This way, your most recent and relevant experience will be at the top of the page.

10. Focus on Your Accomplishments, Not Just Your Job Duties

Related to the above, when describing your previous work experience, it’s important to focus on your accomplishments, not just your job duties. It’s a good idea to approach each past position description to answer the following questions:

• What did you achieve in your previous roles?
• How did you make a difference for the companies you worked for?
• Are there stats or figures I can include? Be specific and use numbers whenever possible.

Framing your previous roles in this way will help to paint a picture of what kind of employee you are, and why you’re the best candidate for the job.

11. Use Appropriate Keywords

When writing your resume, be sure to use industry-specific keywords and buzzwords. This will help ensure that your resume comes up in relevant searches and catches the attention of hiring managers. You should also make an effort to use keywords directly from the job listing as well.

This will help to assure that you’re covering all the bases and hitting on the most important qualifications for the job. Plus, it shows hiring managers that you have great attention to detail.

12. Have a Mobile-Friendly Version

With more and more people accessing the internet on their phones and other mobile devices, it’s important to have a version of your resume that looks good on smaller screens. If a hiring manager is trying to view your resume on their phone and it’s hard to read or navigate, they’re likely to give up and move on to the next candidate.

13. Save Your Resume as a PDF

When you’re finished writing your resume, be sure to save it as a PDF. This will help ensure that your resume format doesn’t get messed up if the hiring manager opens it on a different computer or device. Plus, it helps to keep your resume looking clean and polished.

14. Follow Up After Submitting Your Resume

After you’ve submitted your resume, don’t just sit back and wait! Follow up with the hiring manager to make sure they received your resume and to see if there’s anything else you can provide. This will help show that you’re truly interested in the position and willing to go the extra mile.

It’s best to wait at least a week after submitting your resume before following up. This gives the hiring manager time to review it and decide if they want to move forward with your application.

Use These Tips to Create an Eye-Catching UI/UX Design Resume

By following these tips, you can be confident that your UI/UX designer resume will make a great first impression and help you land the job you’ve been dreaming of. Just remember to be creative, relevant, and concise, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the rest. 

And you can always use our online resume builder to get a jumpstart on your resume’s design. You can select from a variety of templates and download your resume as a PDF for free. So why not give our resume generator a try?

Good luck!