Interior designer resume examples
Why this is a great interior design resume sample
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Showcases a captivating design statement
The candidate effectively uses a design statement to highlight their passion for creating spaces and their commitment to aesthetic and functional design, marking them as an ideal candidate for an interior design role.
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Highlights a diverse skill set
Interior designers need creative and technical skills. This resume skillfully showcases a range of abilities, from space planning to knowledge of design trends.
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Adopts a functional resume format
This resume employs a functional format, emphasizing a Professional Skills section that details comprehensive interior design capabilities. Organizing skills in this way underscores the candidate’s diverse and multifaceted expertise.
Why this is a great interior design resume sample
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Outlines their design journey
This interior designer shines a light on their extensive experience through a detailed work history section using a chronological resume format.
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Supports skills with tangible examples
The candidate’s design prowess is accentuated by specifying standout projects or the scale of assignments handled in past roles, providing employers a vivid sense of their design capabilities.
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Embraces a clean, reader-friendly resume design
The candidate has selected a minimalistic yet appealing design, making it easy for potential employers to comprehend their qualifications and design flair immediately. This refined layout ensures that their accolades and achievements take center stage, reflecting their expertise in the interior design world.
Are you looking for a different job title? Check out our library of resume examples or choose an example from the list below:
Choose the best format for your interior design resume
Think of your resume as an empty room ready for the furniture, fixtures and personal touch you bring to every assignment. Your resume should not only convey your expertise but also mirror the creativity and personality that are intrinsic to your profession.
Your resume format plays an important role in shaping this narrative. There are three different formats to choose from, and each offers unique advantages:
After nailing down the format, infusing your resume with a design that truly resonates with your style is crucial.
Choose a creative interior design resume template
Being in a field where design and aesthetics are everything, your resume template should reflect these talents. A creative resume adds a touch of your persona, setting you apart from others. However, while your flair should shine through, avoid overly complex designs that could confuse the reader and overshadow your qualifications.
For interior designers, your resume isn’t just a list of accomplishments; it’s a testimony to your aesthetic sensibilities. Ensure the design is elegant and professional, with well-structured sections, bullet points and balanced white space to guide the reader effortlessly.
Consider using a format like Word resume templates or Google Doc templates if you’d like a design you can download.
Now, let’s create a resume showcasing your unique design touch.
How to write an interior designer resume in 5 easy steps
Scrutinize the job description
Job advertisements are treasure troves of information, particularly for interior designers.
Diving deep into these listings will unveil key skills and design preferences — such as sustainable designs, residential interiors and spatial planning — that are in demand in this dynamic field. By understanding the specific requirements of design firms or independent clients, you can tailor your resume to mirror their needs.
This customization becomes even more crucial when you consider that many design firms utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to sift through candidates based on certain criteria. These criteria often revolve around specific keywords tied to design techniques, software expertise and project experiences.
An efficient interior design resume should be crafted to incorporate these keywords, demonstrating to employers that you possess the needed skills and aesthetic sensibilities. If your resume omits these terms, it may not pass the ATS filters.
So, when crafting an ATS-friendly resume, carefully align your content with the job listing. That means if a posting underscores skills like “CAD proficiency,” “modern aesthetic” and “client consultations,” be sure to add those exact phrases somewhere on your resume.
Pepper these keywords into your professional summary, skills section and project portfolios. Continuously compare your resume with job descriptions, customizing for consistency in language so your resume always makes it through the ATS.
As you start writing, take a deep breath. While it might initially feel overwhelming, with dedication and practice, this process will feel as natural as conceptualizing a new design space.
Write a compelling professional summary or objective
Kick it all off with an engaging resume profile. Resume profiles come in two distinct varieties — professional summaries and career objectives — and both can shine brightly for interior designers.
The professional summary provides a brief overview of your design journey and is apt for those with a substantial design portfolio. For seasoned designers with notable projects or awards, it serves as a platform to spotlight those feats.
The career objective outlines your career ambitions and what you aim to achieve in the design field. These are particularly useful for fresh design graduates or those transitioning from similar fields, helping highlight transferable skills and the unique touch you can bring to potential clients or firms.
Let’s explore how each of these would shine on an interior designer’s resume.
Interior designer professional summary example:
Veteran interior designer with over 10 years in the design industry, excelling in both residential and commercial spaces. Renowned for innovative designs that harmonize functionality with aesthetics, with a portfolio boasting over 50 completed projects. Acknowledged for outstanding client collaboration and a keen understanding of spatial utility.
Interior designer resume objective example:
Recent design graduate from the Art Institute of Seattle, eager to blend contemporary aesthetics with ergonomic designs as an interior designer at Elegant Spaces. Passionate about crafting spaces that echo clients’ personalities while ensuring comfort and functionality.
Highlight your most pertinent skills
As an interior designer, your toolbelt is brimming with skills — and they should be showcased prominently on your resume. Your skills section must shed light on everything you have to offer that’s relevant to the role.
Hard skills might display your prowess in spatial planning, CAD software and materials knowledge, while interpersonal or soft skills can highlight your talent in client consultations, project management and collaboration.
Also, in design, staying versed in the latest technical skills and design trends is imperative.
Below are examples of skills that interior designers often incorporate into their resumes.
Technical and interpersonal skills for an interior designer resume
Here’s a sample of a detailed interior designer skills section:
- Proficient in spatial planning and 3D modeling.
- Expertise in materials selection and sustainable designs.
- Strong client consultation and collaboration abilities.
- Skilled in utilizing CAD software for design visualizations.
- Sharp eye for color combinations and aesthetic details.
- Exceptional problem-solving prowess in design challenges.
Pro Tip
Don’t undervalue your computer skills. Interior designers rely heavily on various design software these days. Whether it’s CAD tools, 3D visualization programs or project management applications, highlighting your tech proficiency can set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase a dynamic portfolio of projects
Your resume should reflect your creative prowess and versatility as a designer. The best way to capture a prospective employer’s attention is by detailing work experience on your resume.
List your design roles, starting with the most recent, and use bullet points to emphasize the scope, achievements and techniques used for each project.
Showcase a diverse range of skills throughout this section, from spatial planning to choice of materials. Illustrate any teamwork or collaborations to highlight your adaptability and ability to work cohesively with various stakeholders — a must in the design world.
Ensure you use action words and descriptive phrases to make your projects stand out and resonate with your potential employer.
Here’s an example of a well-written interior designer job entry:
Lead Interior Designer, Space Creators
Albuquerque, NM
June 2019 – Present
- Conceptualized and executed over 20 residential projects, receiving client ratings of 95% satisfaction or higher.
- Collaborated with architects and contractors on 10+ large-scale commercial designs, ensuring a harmonized vision and timely project completion.
- Revitalized a historic downtown property, resulting in a “Design Today” magazine feature.
- Guided teams through material selection processes, optimizing project budgets by up to 20%.
- Regularly conducted client workshops to gather inputs, ensuring designs aligned with client aspirations and functional needs.
Pro Tip
To truly capture the attention of potential clients or employers, complement your quantifiable design achievements with a compelling visual portfolio. While metrics validate your contributions, a well-curated portfolio showcases the breadth of your creativity and provides a vivid testament to how your designs have transformed spaces and added value.
Highlight your educational background and credentials
In the interior design field, formal education and professional credentials can significantly elevate your profile.
Start by listing your education on your resume, highlighting significant academic achievements, like a bachelor’s degree or master’s in Interior Design or a related field. Then, mention any relevant certifications or credentials, such as the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certificate or other specialized design qualifications.
How to showcase your education and certifications:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Interior Design
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
CERTIFICATIONS
National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ)
COURSEWORK
Advanced Course in Sustainable Design
Design Academy, Portland, OR
Optional sections for your interior designer resume
Awards and industry recognition
Incorporate any significant awards and recognition on your resume to make it more impressive. Such accolades show your dedication to excellence in the world of interior design and enhance your professional credibility.
How to list awards on your interior designer resume:
Interior Designer of the Year – September 2023
- Presented by the National Design Association for exceptional project innovations and outstanding client reviews.
Best Sustainable Design Concept – May 2020
- Recognized by the International Design Journal for a groundbreaking approach to eco-friendly living spaces in a post-pandemic era.
Professional associations
Detailing your memberships in design-specific associations can provide you with a competitive advantage. Such associations signify your dedication to continued learning and keeping pace with modern design trends.
How to list professional associations on your interior designer resume:
- Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
- Active participant in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) workshops and symposiums.
Projects
Including a detailed projects section in your resume can strongly convey your practical experience and achievements in interior design. It can portray not just your technical expertise but also your style, versatility and depth in handling different design projects.
How to list projects on your interior designer resume:
- Residential Revamp, Manhattan, NY (2022) – Led a team to redesign a 3-bedroom home, focusing on a modern yet homely aesthetic. Successfully adhered to a strict budget and timeline, receiving high praise from the client.
- Corporate Office Facelift, Brooklyn, NY (2021) – Collaborated with a team of designers to transform an outdated office space into a dynamic, functional, and modern working environment.
- Boutique Hotel Redesign, Queens, NY (2020) – Solo project handling all aspects of interior design for a boutique hotel, focusing on a luxurious yet welcoming ambiance. Featured in a renowned interior design magazine.
Hobbies and interests
Your passions beyond the design studio can offer a comprehensive insight into your character. Just make sure they align with the profession and can showcase transferable skills beneficial for an interior designer.
How to list interests and endeavors on your interior designer resume:
- Run a design inspiration blog focused on modern living spaces.
- Attend international design fairs and exhibitions.
- Mentor budding designers in community colleges.
Community engagement
Active involvement in community-driven design initiatives or outreach programs is a commendable addition. It reflects your dedication to the community and underscores your passion for design beyond regular job responsibilities.
How to list community involvement on your interior designer resume:
- Provided pro-bono design consultations for local community centers.
- Volunteered in programs promoting design education for youth.
- Organized a charity event to raise funds for arts and design programs in underserved schools.
Add a cover letter
When aiming for a sought-after position in your field, a compelling cover letter can distinguish you from the crowd.
A cover letter is like a detailed mood board that captures a client’s attention. It offers a canvas for you to spotlight distinctive abilities and experiences that might be overshadowed on your resume or impossible to capture in your portfolio.
Dive deep into what sparked your passion for interior design, or map out your future goals within the industry. You may want to emphasize the joy of bringing a client’s vision to life or the design obstacles you’ve mastered throughout your career.
If you’re searching for direction, our guide on how to write a cover letter alongside our array of cover letter examples can provide valuable insight into crafting a standout letter.
For an added dash of elegance, choose a cover letter template to customize with our Cover Letter Builder. Opt for a design that mirrors your resume’s aesthetic.
Remember, your cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume. It’s an opportunity to let your passion for design radiate. If successful, you’ll be a step closer to landing your dream position.
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
