Not everyone is cut out for a job filled with spreadsheets and reports or working in a traditional office. There are a lot of creatives out there who make an impact in other ways. Artists, musicians, photographers, graphic designers, writers, and freelancers play an integral role in many businesses. But how do you capture your creative spirit and experience in a standard resume?
Keep It Simple
Just because you have an eye for design doesn’t mean that your resume has to be over the top. You want a clean, clear format that is easy for a hiring manager to quickly scan and get a positive impression of your abilities. Avoid using a lot of colors, graphics, images, or fancy fonts that can detract from the overall appearance. Plus, many of these features are not compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and may be stripped away causing you to lose valuable information.
Prioritize Content
You may be an incredibly talented artist or a musician, but your resume should still focus on the benefits you can bring to an organization. How can you help the company attract more business or increase revenue? How will you help them be more successful? Sending a singing telegram or incorporating your resume into a company’s product may capture their attention, but it may not be the most effective approach. Having a traditional resume is still essential.
Try to incorporate metrics if possible to show the impact you have made. If you’ve been a contractor or freelancer, mention major clients you’ve worked with or projects you’ve been a part of. You don’t have to list every job you’ve ever had – just highlight a few that best demonstrate your capabilities.
Don’t forget that including a link to your professional portfolio can be a valuable addition to your resume as well. Your portfolio can showcase examples of your work and allow your creativity to shine. It can add more context and support to accomplishments you have mentioned in your resume.
Create a Powerful Summary
The experience portion of your resume may show a wide range of projects or roles you’ve held. Use the summary section at the top of your resume to pull everything together. Weave a common thread throughout your experience and show employers what you bring to the table. Align yourself with the job opening and touch on why you are a good fit based on your knowledge, training, and experience.
Don’t Forget to Include Specific Skills
As a creative professional, you have likely fine-tuned your craft and developed some industry-specific skills. Carefully read through job descriptions that interest you and include keywords that the employer is seeking. If there are software programs or certain techniques you are proficient in, make sure they are listed on your resume, along with any certifications.
Create a polished resume that shows why you are the perfect creative professional to meet the target employer’s needs. Grammar Chic can help you bring together your skills and experience in a way that makes sense and presents you in a positive light. Contact us today to learn more and get started building your new resume.
