8 UX Designer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

The market for UX Design Services is booming, with a bright outlook up to 2031 driven by technological innovations and consumers' preference for eco-friendly products.

However, the reality on the ground can be quite different. Despite the growing market, real companies often operate in chaos. The "right way" to do UX/UI design seldom exists. Many organizations face issues like outdated infrastructure and complex processes. Still, they still manage to bring projects to completion.

In this dynamic environment, having a standout resume becomes essential for anyone eager to make their mark in user experience design. This is where we can help. Our guide is designed to equip you with all you need to create a resume that prepares you to tackle the intricacies of UX design job applications.

Here’s what will cover:

• Guidelines on designing a clean and engaging resume layout;
• Ways to adapt your previous job experiences for your nextUX designer role;
• Important skills to showcase on a user experience designer resume;
• Necessary certifications and software skills to underline;
• Tips for additional sections that could enhance your resume.

If you're interested in design roles in general, you might want to check out these specially crafted resume guides:

• Web Designer resume
• UI Designer resume
• Graphic Designer resume
• Fashion Designer resume
• Industrial Design resume
• Interior Designer resume
• UX designer cover letter

How to format a UX designer resume

Choosing the right resume format is crucial for standing out in the UX design job market. You have three main options for formatting a UX designer resume:

• Reverse chronological resume: Ideal for those with substantial experience in UX design, this format presents your past jobs starting with the most recent and moving backward.
• Functional resume: This format is great if you're new to UX design, changing careers, just starting out, or have gaps in your work history. It underlines your skills rather than your previous employment.
• Hybrid resume: Merging the best aspects of both chronological and functional formats, the hybrid resume allows you to highlight your most relevant skills and achievements at the top, followed by a concise work history. This is especially useful for showcasing experiences that align well with the UX designer role you're targeting.

To grab the attention of recruiters, organize your resume into different sections based on these smart suggestions.

Resume design for UX designers

• Go for a double-column resume template as it's better for creative professions.
• Choose legible fonts such as Calibri, Lato, or Times New Roman, sized between 10-12 for easy reading.
• Maintain at least 1-inch margins on all sides of your resume.
• Use appropriate colors like gray, blue, or dark green for accents.
• Keep your resume to one-page long, particularly if you have under 10 years of experience.

Header information

• Always include your name, phone number, and a professional email address.
• Include a link to your LinkedIn profile if it's relevant, ensuring it is up-to-date. Also, add a link to your portfolio to showcase your work.
• Only include a photo on your resume if the job ad specifically requires it.

ATS compatibility

• Format your resume simply for ATS systems.
• Insert job-specific keywords to increase your resume's visibility in ATS.

Leverage our intuitive AI tool to get a free 16-point check on your resume.

Want to strengthen your application, right? So, consider including these essential sections in your resume.

Next, let's explore what recruiters expect to see in these parts of your resume and how they might review it.

To put your UX design skills front and center, you need to outline your experience. We'll get into the details in the next section.

How to write your UX designer resume experience

Hiring managers want to see that you're just familiar with user experience design principles and apply them in real-world projects. In the work experience section of your resume, focus on showing your UX skills and significant accomplishments instead of just listing job duties. Use action verbs to describe your roles and achievements, making each entry impactful and appealing to potential employers.

We highly recommend you tailor your resume for the position you're after by including relevant keywords from the job description.

Example UX designer job offer

Let's take a look at two people chasing the same job. Look at their work experience entries. Seems like the first might struggle a bit more to get the job.

Here's why this resume entry doesn't hit the mark:

• Too vague: The entry like "took care of and monitored a large UX team" is too broad. All listed duties don't show any specialized skills or the specific experience needed for UX design roles.
• Not enough detail: It mentions using UX tools but doesn't clarify which ones, like Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, etc. This vagueness means it doesn't really line up with what the job requires.
• Programming skills overlooked: The company considers a plus any knowledge of front-end development technologies, but this resume doesn’t mention any programming skills or experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or other relevant technologies.

Generally, the entry just doesn't present a strong case for the candidate. It feels too general and doesn't align well with the job's needs, missing the mark on showing why they're the right person for the role.

The next candidate, however, goes above and beyond, making a strong impression.

Why this resume really stands out:

• Quantifiable achievements: This candidate demonstrates significant results with real numbers—expanded the UX/UI team from 5 to 40 members, helping increase team productivity by 20%, and conducted 30 highly rated workshops with an average satisfaction score of 9.5/10.
• Relevant experience: It shows how the candidate grew a UX/UI team from 5 to 40 in just 5 years. That's impressive if you're looking for someone who can handle leadership and scale a team effectively.
• Software proficiency: Leveraged HTML and CSS knowledge to lead a team in creating a user-friendly time-management app from prototypes, demonstrating technical skills.
• Leadership skills: Running over 30 workshops with nearly perfect feedback scores? That's a sign of someone who knows how to communicate and educate—a real plus for any team, especially in UX where everything’s about user understanding.

This resume does a fantastic job of connecting the dots between what the candidate has done and what the job needs. Keep these pointers in mind for a standout experience section that speaks with clear metrics.

How to quantify impact on your resume

Throwing in numbers and percentages really helps paint a picture of how your UX designs make things better for users. It’s a solid way to show off the real impact you've made, like boosting user engagement or making apps more user-friendly.

Here are some simple ways to use numbers and stats to show your impact in previous user experience design roles.

• Include the percentage increase in user engagement from your design improvements to showcase your impact on user behavior.
• State the number of user tests you have conducted to illustrate your commitment to user-centric design and validation of your opinion.
• Mention the conversion rate improvements from your design iterations to demonstrate your ability to drive business results through design decisions.
• Highlight any decrease in user drop-off rate post your redesigns to exhibit your ability to create more intuitive and user-friendly designs.
• Discuss the reduction in customer support calls or inquiries after your design improvements to emphasize your design's influence on improving user understanding and reducing confusion.
• Include the number of new features you've introduced that were driven by user feedback to prove your ability to translate user needs into actionable design features.
• List the number of usability issues you have identified and fixed to show your proactive approach to identifying and resolving design problems.
• Feature any increase in average session duration after your redesign to depict how your design can provide more immersive user experiences.

How do I write a UX designer resume with no experience

If you’re new to UX design, try to become what's known as a "T-shaped" professional. This means learning a bunch of different skills—like a little bit of programming, some visual design, a dash of copywriting, and maybe even some project management. But here’s the key part: you need to really focus and excel in UX design.

Being good at many things isn’t just a bonus; it makes you a valuable team member and someone who can join in on discussions with different departments. And let’s be honest, just having a certificate isn’t enough to get you noticed. What makes people sit up and take notice? Your real-world experience and a standout portfolio that shows off your best projects and what you’ve achieved with them.

So if you're just stepping into UX and don't have much experience, no worries! Crafting your resume isn't too different from any other field.

Focus on some transferable skills, your educational background, your love for photography or drawing, etc. Mention any relevant projects or informal experiences that highlight your talents.

Here are some ideas to use:

• Objective statement: Write a concise statement that expresses your enthusiasm for UX design, summarizes your relevant experience, and outlines your career goals. Keep it clear and engaging, ideally within 3 sentences.
• Education: Do you have any formal education in design, tech, or something related? List it here and spotlight any courses that touch on UX design, like user research or interface design.
• Projects/Portfolio: Super important, especially when you’re light on experience. Talk about any UX projects you’ve done. These could be personal experimenting, class assignments, or even volunteer work. Share what you did, how you approached it, and what the outcome was.
• Internships: If you’ve dipped your toes into some internships related to UX design, definitely mention them, paid or not.
• Awards: Got any accolades? Perhaps you’ve won a design contest or earned recognition from your school. Put it here.
• References: If you have references from teachers or mentors, feel free to add them, or you can simply state that they're available if anyone is interested.

How to list your hard and soft skills on your resume

Now, let’s turn our attention to your resume skills section. Be sure to list your UX training, specializations, and direct experience in UX. These hard skills show your capability and preparation for a career in the creative industry.

In your UX designer resume, don’t just focus on the technical skills. Be sure to underline your strengths and include them as a list of soft skills as well.

Now that we've gone over the skill set for a UX designer, let's explore the necessary educational background.

How to list your education and certifications on your resume

UX design is a rapidly evolving field, with new tools, techniques, and best practices continuously emerging. On your resume, the education and certifications sections are perfect for showcasing your core knowledge and dedication to ongoing learning, ensuring you stay current in the industry.

 If you learned UX design on your own and didn’t go through art school, keep the education section brief. Your education section should highlight your foundational knowledge in skills essential to UX design.

When applying for entry-level UX design positions, it's crucial to emphasize your education by showcasing relevant design coursework on your resume.

Here’s how to organize the education section on your resume for a UX design role:

• Degree title: State the degree you’ve earned that pertains to UX design.
• School name: Include the name of the educational institution you attended.
• Graduation year: Share the year you graduated or the year you expect to graduate.
• Major: Focus on your field of study, such as graphic design, human-computer interaction, or user experience design, which are directly applicable to UX positions.
• Relevant certifications: Mention any UX-specific certifications you have, like a Certified User Experience Designer (CXD) or courses from the Interaction Design Foundation.
• Additional training: Note any extra courses or workshops you’ve taken that enhance your UX skills, like UX research or interface design.
• GPA: If your Grade Point Average is over 3.5, adding this can underscore your scholarly achievements.

See how you can present your education on a resume for a UX design position.

Advanced UX design certifications prove your skills and your initiative in tackling various design challenges. Including your certifications on your resume is simple. You should:

• List the certifications you’ve earned.
• State the issuing organization for each certification.
• If relevant, mention the expiration date of each certification.

Consider these highly regarded UX certifications:

Think of these certifications as recommendations. Always review the job description to identify which ones are necessary for the specific role you're targeting. Structure this section to highlight your most recent certifications and catch the attention of hiring managers.

How to write your UX designer resume summary or objective

When submitting your resume to companies and studios, having a compelling summary or objective can make a significant difference. Both are crucial for quickly capturing the recruiter's interest and demonstrating that your skills and experiences align with their needs.

Here's how they differ:

• Summary: Provide a short overview of your major professional achievements and relevant skills, typically in 3 to 5 sentences. This format is best if you have substantial experience in UX design.
• Objective statement: Keep it concise, about 3 sentences, focusing on your career goals and why you are interested in this particular role. This is ideal if you are new to UX design, looking to change careers, or re-entering the workforce.

Interested in seeing examples of these components? Let’s first check out the resume summary example below:

Let's move on to an example of an objective statement.

Here are some tips for crafting a compelling resume summary or objective:

• Personalize it: Customize your summary or objective to reflect the specific UX designer position and the company’s culture you are applying to. Demonstrate how your skills align with their needs.
• Use relevant numbers: Increase your credibility by quantifying your accomplishments. For instance, you could include, "Enhanced user engagement by 30% through innovative interface redesigns using Figma and Sketch."
• Focus on key skills: Emphasize crucial UX design skills such as proficiency in key design tools like Figma and Sketch, and excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across teams.

A little effort in perfecting a tailored and concise summary or objective can go a long way in enhancing your resume's impact.

Additional sections for a UX designer resume

To boost your resume for a user experience designer role, consider adding a few additional sections. These can provide recruiters with a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and character:

• Achievements: Highlight your professional accomplishments, such as design awards, successful project launches, or positive user feedback. These successes illustrate your skills and dedication.
• Language skills: Mentioning that you speak multiple languages is a huge asset, especially in diverse teams or global companies. It shows you can communicate fluently in varied environments.
• Passions: Discuss hobbies and interests outside of work, whether it's sketching, biking, or meditating. These can reflect your creativity and passion for UX design, aligning with a company's culture.
• Professional references: Include references from past roles to strengthen your resume. Choose references who can vouch for your design skills and work ethic across different settings.

Portfolio section on a UX designer resume

In UX design, showing your work can often speak louder than words. A portfolio lets you put your best projects front and center, exactly the ones you've talked about in your resume.

Your portfolio should give quick snapshots of relevant projects, complete with links to live demos, prototypes, or images of your finalized designs.

If you're just starting out or don't have much work experience, a portfolio is a must. It visually showcases your skills and backs up everything you've listed on your resume, making it real for anyone who sees it.

Here’s how to set up a portfolio section on your UX designer resume:

• Add a clear heading for the portfolio section.
• Provide a concise description (up to 3 sentences) of the portfolio, incorporating relevant keywords from the job listing.
• Showcase projects that highlight the necessary skills for the UX design role advertised.
• Prioritize your projects, placing the most relevant or impactful ones at the top.
• Use brief, descriptive titles for each project to clearly convey the focus of the work.
• Include links to your portfolio on sites like Behance, Dribbble, or your personal website.
• Feature images or interactive elements that illustrate your design process and outcomes.

Lastly, you could either set up a whole new section for your portfolio like in the example above, or you can keep it simple and drop the link in your resume’s summary or header.

Key takeaways

To boost your UX resume, apply these critical strategies we've discussed. They'll ensure your resume shines in a competitive field.

• Use a simple template and include relevant keywords to ensure your resume passes through (ATS) effectively.
• Use legible fonts and appropriate colors, keeping the resume to one page if possible, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience.
• Emphasize both hard skills (like Adobe Suite, Sketch) and soft skills (such as creativity and communication) pertinent to UX design roles.
• Mention degrees and certifications that are relevant to UX design.
• Include links to your design projects to provide tangible proof of your skills and creativity.
• Create a brief summary or objective statement that captures your professional highlights or career aspirations, tailored to the UX field.
• Use numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact of your projects and initiatives.
• Add sections for awards, languages, or hobbies to present a well-rounded candidate profile.