Sample Resume for a Web Designer & Graphics Artist - Critique
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About this Sample Resume Critique
In this sample resume critique, the certified professional resume writer at
ResumeEdge explains
the process of creating the client's "after" resume from the client's "before" resume.
So that you may easily compare them to judge the quality of
ResumeEdge's work,
both the "before" and "after"
sample resumes are linked below. They are also linked from the Sample
Resumes page.
Sample Resume Critique
Dear Kara,
To best showcase your IT talents, I chose the ResumeEdge Information
Technology format. It emphasizes technical skills, superbly prioritizes
data and employs the Arial font, giving your new resume a clean
and modern appearance.
Additionally, I included your logo for KDD at the top to create
a visually stunning image that sets your new resume apart from
the rest of the applicants.
In formatting the header information, I chose to bold your name,
increasing its size so that it would stand out from the rest of
the text. I placed your contact information flush right, with your
phone numbers slightly larger than the email and web page data,
as hiring managers will generally call to set up an interview.
Because hiring managers are so busy and rarely, if ever, read
entire resumes, I wanted to ensure that your most important data
was brought out immediately. To that end, I wrote the tag “Visual
Communicator,” followed by your skill set of
“Graphic Designer, Webmaster, Web Designer, Developer.” At
a glance, a hiring manager can easily see what you can offer the
targeted firm.
Following this is a brief paragraph that summarizes and emphasizes
your talents. I began by writing that you own Kara Dobbs Designs
and the work you do there, specifically creating logos and promotional
graphics for franchise specialty stores. Given that your clients
are high-profile, I added the franchise names to lend credence
to your success. Hiring managers prefer specifics, and that's what
I provided by naming The Outlook, TM Express, and So Sweet.
Additionally, I made mention of your awards – another important
matter to consider when enticing a hiring manager to read further.
Ending this very important section is the link for your online
portfolio. Within five short sentences, a hiring manager will know
what you have accomplished, what you can offer, while also being
provided with concrete examples of your work through your online
portfolio.
I opened the next section with your computer skills. Whereas many
IT resumes simply provide lists, ResumeEdge goes further by specifying
the month or years of experience for each listing. Not only does
this make the decision process easier for a hiring manager, it
puts you far ahead of the competition.
In the Professional Experience section that follows, I separated
your “Freelance” experience from your “Corporate
Experience.” Again, specifics assist a hiring manager in
determining what you did in your own business and how you used
those skills in other arenas.
Here, I listed your work history in reverse chronological order
(your latest job first), and included a company descriptor for
each employer so that a hiring manager can see the scope of your
contribution, in particular for large firms. I also added links
for each of the corporate websites. This is another plus for the
hiring manager, especially if the firm is not well known and needs
to be researched.
Beneath each job, I separated your accomplishments from your general
tasks, and began the bulleted sentences with the strongest action
verbs possible, while also revising text for clarity, conciseness,
and maximum impact.
For example, you wrote:
- Created account winning proposals and presentations that resulted
in a 50% client base growth between 2000 and 2002.
- Collaborated with a team to design and develop the SamTrans
on-line RFP/RFQ project. The automation of the RFP/RFQ process
has saved the SamTrans Procurement Dept. vast amounts of time,
money & resources.
- Integrated AEC industry methodology into online ASP environments
for such companies as: Caltrain, SamTrans, SRCSD, DMJM Harris,
Parsons, BART, MTC, RMC Engineering, HDR Inc., VTA and Montgomery
Watson. The ASP environment allows the client to have instant
access to crucial information, thus improving their efficiency
and workflow.
I revised that to read:
- Grew client base 50% within two years by creating account-winning
proposals and presentations.
- Reduced SamTrans Procurement Department costs 48% and increased
productivity 75% by automating RFP/RFQ process; established Web
Design/Development Department.
- Integrated AEC methodology into online ASP environments for
Caltrain, SamTrans, BART, SRCSD, DMJM Harris, Parsons, MTC, RMC
Engineering, HDR Inc., Montgomery Watson, and others.
In any accomplishment, a hiring manager wants to know what
you did (“grew client base 50%,” “reduced
SamTrans Procurement Department costs 48%,”
“increased productivity 75%”), then how you did
it (“…by creating account-winning proposals and
presentations.” “…by automating RFP/RFQ process…”).
In your original resume you wrote “…saved the SamTrans
Procurement Dept. vast amounts of time, money & resources.” Although
that's quite true, it's not quantified. Hiring managers demand
to know specifics, which you kindly provided after I called and
spoke with you. The bulleted area is now stronger, more specific,
and will put you far head of the competition.
I ended your resume with your Educational history, adding the
data on your professional development courses.
Your ASCII (.txt) resume is attached, as is the Word document.
The login for your web resume is included in the email.
To complete your “employment package” I ask that you
consider the ResumeEdge cover letter service. A dynamic and professionally
written cover letter entices a hiring manager to read your resume.
At ResumeEdge, our cover letters are proactive and showcase accomplishments,
the same as our resumes. I invite you to view our samples.
All decisions to modify or exclude data were in keeping with the
guidelines and standards set forth by the Professional Association
of Resume Writers (PARW). With this resume, you now have a powerful
tool that's well-organized, filled with pertinent information,
and is aesthetically pleasing.
It was a pleasure serving you, Kara. The best of luck in all your
future endeavors.
ResumeEdge Writer
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
Let
ResumeEdge give
your resume and cover letter an edge!
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