Studio Insights: CV Tips for Interior Designers

What makes an application stand out from the crowd? It is often in the detail: a CV and portfolio that are clearly and beautifully presented and where the content of both has been thought through. CVs are often the underdog to the portfolio, but it is just as important to spend as much time refining your CV as you do with your portfolio of work.

A blank piece of paper is the start of an opportunity, not something to be dreaded. Writing a CV can be quite laborious, and sometimes you don’t even know where to start. My advice would be to write down all of your achievements, strengths, personal qualities, and projects you’ve worked on. Having viewed thousands of CVs, here are six elements you should definitely include at any stage of your career:

• Profile
• Key skills
• Education
• Computer skills
• Software knowledge
• Employment history
• Projects experience

The CVs that stand out to me are the ones that are uncluttered, where attention has been paid to spelling, grammar, and content, and above all that are a reflection of the applicant’s personality. Imagine seeing a CV where the text is scrunched together in small columns and is eight pages long … I see these more often than you’d think and it’s really not attractive – especially in a professional setting where everything is about presentation.

When you start to write your CV, keep the following in mind:

• If a potential employer only looked at your CV, would they be just as impressed as if they only saw your portfolio?
• Your CV is an example of your writing ability; it gives an insight into your personality and the care you take putting a document together.
• As your experience and project exposure progresses, your CV starts to allow you to add information about projects that may not be in the sample portfolio you send out.

CV Dos and Don’ts

When creating your CV, remember that it serves as an example of your writing skills and offers a glimpse into your personality and attention to detail. A potential employer should be just as impressed with your CV as they would be with your portfolio. As you gain more experience, your CV allows you to showcase projects that may not be included in your sample portfolio.

Project Examples

A few key project photos or a sketch can be included to pique your future employer’s interest, but avoid overloading your CV with visuals; that’s what your portfolio is for.

Photos

Selfies are not appropriate for CVs. Save them for social media.

File Type

PDF is the preferred file type for CVs and portfolios due to its ease of viewing, refined appearance, and compatibility.

File Size

Keep your combined CV and portfolio file size to a maximum of 15 MB to prevent it from being flagged as spam.

Location

If you live far away from the company you’re applying to, consider omitting your address from your CV. Employers may hesitate to interview you due to potential relocation challenges.

Mobile Friendly

Many employers review applications on their phones, so ensure your CV and portfolio are clear and easy to read on a mobile device.

Web Links

Web links to portfolios can be problematic if they don’t open seamlessly. Always include a sample portfolio in PDF format with your application. If you do include a web link, make sure it’s prominently displayed.