Creating a resume can be hard, especially in design. In this article, we share proven resume examples for product designers and strategic tips. Learn about key sections, using keywords, and showcasing your skills. Your resume can stand out with our guidance.
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Here's what we see in the best resumes for product designers.
Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show impact by using numbers. Use metrics like
List Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Showcase Your Portfolio: For creative roles, your portfolio is key. Include phrases like
Want to know how your product design resume measures up? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of where you stand. It evaluates your resume based on key criteria that recruiters in the design industry look for.
Upload your resume now for an unbiased assessment. You'll get a score and useful tips to make your resume stronger, increasing your chances of landing interviews for product design roles.
Place your education section near the top if you have recently completed a significant course like a master's degree or design bootcamp. This makes it easier for the hiring manager to see your latest training first. As a product designer, you want to highlight any specialized training or education that has equipped you with the design thinking and technical skills needed for the role.
For those with more work experience, put your education after your experience section. Ensure to include any relevant courses or certifications that show your commitment to staying current in design trends and practices. Good examples are certifications in user experience (UX) design or user interface (UI) design, as these are critical aspects of product design.
Mention the design and prototyping tools you are proficient in, like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD. This shows you have the technical skills needed for the job.
Include any experience with user research or usability testing. This demonstrates a well-rounded skill set in product design.
For product designers, your resume should be concise. If you are early in your career with fewer than 10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. This helps hiring managers quickly see your most relevant skills and projects. You should focus on quality, not quantity, displaying your best design work and key contributions.
Senior product designers with more experience can extend to a two-page resume. Here, highlight leadership in design projects and any complex problems you solved. Again, use space wisely; avoid tiny fonts or small margins. Keep your most striking work on the first page – that’s where it will get the most attention. Always remember, a shorter resume reflects your ability to prioritize and present essential information effectively.
As a product designer, your ability to identify and solve design problems is key. Show examples of how you've tackled challenges in your past roles. For instance, explain a situation where a product feature you developed resulted in improved user satisfaction or increased sales. Describe the issue you addressed and the creative solution you devised, using clear and straightforward language.
Also, don't forget to include any innovative design processes you've implemented that led to efficiency gains or cost savings. Providing specific instances of your strategic thinking and its beneficial outcomes helps employers see your value as a practical problem solver. Use simple terms and focus on the end results of your actions.
When you apply for jobs, you often face computer programs called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems sort and rank resumes before a person sees them. To make sure your resume for a product design role gets noticed, you need to format it in a way that these systems can read.
Use a clear, standard font and avoid headers or footers, as ATS may not read them. Include common keywords and phrases from the product design field, such as 'user experience' (UX), 'user interface' (UI), 'prototyping,' and 'wireframing.' Match these terms with the job description. Also, list your skills and experiences using bullet points for easy reading.
Make your job titles clear and related to the role. If you have been a 'product designer,' say so. If your title was different but the work was the same, write your official title and then state: 'Role involved product design tasks such as...'
Include a link to your online portfolio prominently in your resume. This allows hiring managers to see examples of your work directly.
Highlight specific projects where you solved design problems or improved user experience. Use numbers or metrics to show the impact of your work.
When you apply for product design roles, your resume needs to show more than just your previous jobs. A big mistake is not including links to your work or online portfolio. This is where you can show what you have created and how it's used by people. Make sure to add a link to your portfolio at the top of your resume or in a separate section. If the job wants a certain kind of design experience, like mobile apps, show those designs in your portfolio.
Another common oversight is not being clear about your role in team projects. If you worked with others, explain what you did. Use bullet points to make this clear. For example:
Remember, as a product designer, your resume needs to show employers what you can do and how well you work with others.
You must tailor your resume to show you are a good fit for product design. Think about your key skills and how they match the job. Focus on projects and tasks you've done that show you're right for this role. Make sure your resume talks directly to the job you want.
As a product designer, your resume must highlight your achievements rather than simply listing your job duties. Accomplishments demonstrate how you have added value and created impact, which is what employers are eager to see. Remember, your goal is to show, not tell, how your design work has benefitted previous employers or clients.
Instead of writing that you 'worked on user interface design,' you could say 'improved user interface to enhance customer satisfaction by 25% according to user surveys.' This turns a common task into a concrete achievement. Another example is to avoid saying 'responsible for user experience testing'; instead, you might write 'conducted user experience testing that led to a 15% decrease in user drop-off rates.'
By focusing on what you accomplished in your role as a designer—such as how you improved a product or streamlined a process—you provide clear evidence of your skills and the value you bring to the team. Always quantify your results with numbers or percentages when possible, as it offers a clear picture of your impact.
When you're looking to land a job in product design, the verbs you choose can make a big difference. You want to show your ability to lead and innovate. The words you pick should highlight your skills in creating and improving products. Think about the tasks you've done and find strong verbs to describe those actions.
Here's a list of verbs that can help you stand out. These words are especially good for a product designer because they show your hands-on experience and your ability to make a real impact. Use these verbs to describe your achievements and responsibilities.
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Spearhead, Coordinated, Responsible for, Participate, Work with.
When you apply for a product design role, showing that you have grown into positions of responsibility can make a big difference. Employers look for candidates who can lead teams and projects. Think about times when you were trusted with more tasks or when you guided others.
Here are ways you might show your leadership and promotions:
Even if you're unsure, consider times when you made decisions that helped your team. This can be as simple as choosing the right design tools or methods that improved the work. Remember, good examples of leadership show your ability to take charge and help others.
When crafting your resume, it's important to highlight the specific skills that show you're a good fit for a product design role. You should list these skills in a dedicated section to make them easy for hiring managers to find. Remember, not every skill may be relevant to you, so focus on those that are a strong match for your experience and the job you want.
These skills are often tracked by applicant tracking systems (ATS), which many companies use to filter resumes. Make sure to include keywords that match the job description. For example, if the job ad mentions
Remember, you can also highlight your skills in other sections of your resume, such as in your job descriptions, by demonstrating how you've applied them in real-world projects. This not only shows your competence but also how you've delivered results using these skills.