With the IIDA Georgia Student Portfolio Reviews in Atlanta & Savannah this weekend, I wanted take a break from tracking trends and offer some advice for all those working on landing their dream internships and summer jobs this year!
Below are ten things that any student or young professional should consider when preparing their packages for potential employers. But remember, nothing beats a good professional critique! If you’re in Atlanta and Savannah this weekend be sure to check out the IIDA Georgia Student Portfolio Review! I will be in Atlanta at SCAD reviewing and offering advice and sharing my experiences as a young professional along with other professionals.
1. Did you know resumes are often the VERY FIRST impression?! At a large firm it’s common practice to look a resume TO DECIDE whether or not to look at your portfolio. Food for thought!
2. Black & white versus color. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful palettes on resumes however, they are rarely (if ever) printed in color when they are printed and reviewed. Be aware of this because low contrasting colors or copy in a light gray does not translate well.
3. Include an objective ONLY if it is unique. I’m personally, not a huge of objectives, especially for students and recent graduates. Typically, everyone says the same thing and no one has a unique professional perspective to share yet in a sentence or two. I would recommend saving that for your cover letter and utilizing your precious real estate on a resume for your extracurricular.
4. Don’t force it. “It” is referring to a layout. If you have a square portfolio, don’t feel obligated to make your resume square. Use type, color and layout to create an entire package and don’t get caught up on things that just make your life difficult.
5. Create hierarchy. You’re name and contact information should be clear and legible on the page. If you are a student include your permanent and temporary addresses. For another important note about addresses check out my post Cover Letters for Go Getters #3!
6. Extracurricular are no longer “extra”. I’m going to be honest, I would personally hire someone who has great work with leadership experience than someone with amazing work and was never involved in their school or community. The fact you have studio is a b.s. excuse.
7. CAUTION! High risk of over design! Your resume is one page (yes, only one page…) so things can get mucked up pretty quick. For typography, good practice is typically selecting either a sans serif typeface for headers paired with a serif typeface for body copy. Or choose a typeface that has a large typography family so you can utilize extra light, light, book and bold to create hierarchy without introducing multiple typefaces. When in doubt remember that simpler is typically better.
8. Don’t include references on you’re resume. Simply put, “Available upon request.” Again, use your valuable real estate for something else!
9. No photos please! Save your comp card for your modeling portfolio. That goes the same for your personal stats. Since you’re not a professional athlete so we need your height, weight and collar sizes.
10. Refrain from using the third person! You’re resume (and cover letter) is YOUR perspective and it’s kind of creepy. Have a voice and show your personality!
Question or comment? Ask below & I would love to answer! And for more career advice check out my IIDA Bootcamp post and other blog archives!
~Amberlee
Please note that none of the advice or suggestions here do not represent the ideas and/or beliefs of Gensler, IIDA, AIGA, USGBC or any other professional organization that I am associated with. It's simply out of good faith to help others. :)
