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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create an Interior Design
Resume in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

    Heading Slides

  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

    Work History Slides

  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

    Education Slides

  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

    Education Slides

  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

    Summery Slides

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Interior Design Resume

LiveCareer’s Resume Builder makes it easy to create a resume for the interior design industry by offering you pre-written phrases crafted by certified resume experts. You can integrate these phrases into your resume as they are, or tweak them to fit the job description and your unique skills. Here are some phrases our builder may suggest for your interior design resume:

  • Developed space planning concepts, color palette selections and textile presentations
  • Built 3D models using AutoCAD Software
  • Utilized natural and artificial light to highlight features and areas of rooms
  • Designed spectacular interiors for specialty exhibits at museums and trade shows
  • Maintained knowledge of constantly changing interior design trends and products

6 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing an Interior Design Resume

  • Do include a portfolio of spaces you designed or renovated. Whether you’re an entry level applicant or an experienced designer, prospective employers will want tangible examples of your creative design abilities.
  • Do emphasize any design projects you completed in different countries. Most spaces are designed or renovated with consideration to local cultural and religious beliefs. Including images in your portfolio of work you did in other countries tells employers that you can successfully communicate with clients from different cultures to design a space suited to their environment and sensibilities.
  • Do mention any design TV shows or web series you have been involved in. Given the sheer number of design shows that populate the airwaves, you Don’t have to be Joanna Gaines or Vern Yip to have showcased your creativity on- screen. If you were involved in a television project or web series involving design, list that show on your resume with details describing your specific contributions to the process.
  • Don’t include a list of your favorite interior design shows, though. While your interest in interior design may have been heavily inspired by the home renovation shows you DVR on HGTV, what you watch says little about your potential to become a superb interior designer.
  • Don’t generalize your interior design experience. From a corporate reception area to a children’s bedroom, different spaces require different expertise and unique skill sets. Recruiters will want to know how well you can design with different areas and constraints in mind.
  • Don’t hesitate to include references of satisfied clients. Including testimonials of clients who are currently experiencing the living space you created for them will give recruiters reassurance of your ability to satisfy customers. This is particularly useful if you’re an independent designer.

Beat the ATS with These Interior Design Resume Skills

To help design firms find applicants who possess the combined creative and technical skills required for most interior design jobs, recruiters are likely to use an applicant tracking system (ATS). An ATS quickly scans each resume for employer-established qualifications that match the job description, and it rejects any resumes that don’t meet the minimum criteria.

To help job seekers pass the initial ATS screening, LiveCareer’s Resume Builder suggests key words and phrases that clearly showcase desirable skills specific to the interior design industry. Interior design skills our builder might recommend for your interior design resume include:

  • Residential design
  • Staging showrooms
  • Interior lighting expertise
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • 2D and 3D design tools
  • Commercial design
  • Space planning
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Interior Design Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level
Interior Design InternBuild my Resume

Interior Design Intern

Entry-level interior designers can use a functional resume format to demonstrate how their skills and abilities transfer to an interior design position. This resume starts with a professional summary describing an ability to complete projects successfully by following client specifications and budget requirements. Next is a more specific summary of qualifications that describes accomplishments in more detail, followed by a section of professional skills that includes examples specific to the position. The resume then includes a developing work history before listing an in-progress bachelor’s degree in interior design.

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Mid-Career
Design ManagerBuild my Resume

Design Manager

Seasoned interior designers can benefit from a combination resume format that highlights solid work experience and skills acquired through industry-specific roles. For example, the design manager in the above resume starts with a professional summary and a summary of qualifications, but also includes a set of job-specific skills before adding an established work history section. Although steady work experience and professional skills can speak to an applicant’s proficiency in the field, including a completed degree in design helps to establish mastery.

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Executive-Level
Partner Interior ArchitectBuild my Resume

Partner Interior Architect

Advanced interior designers can highlight their skills and accomplishments using a type of functional resume that compartmentalizes different sections based on their purpose. For example, the Partner Interior Architect above starts with contact information and a general professional summary. The applicant then lists industry-relevant qualifications, skills, and education in a sidebar for quick reference while placing role-specific professional skills and work history in the center for recruiters to focus on more carefully.

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More Interior Design Resume Samples

Find resume examples for your desired interior-design career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

entry level interior designerinterior design consultantinterior design interninterior design project managerinterior designer design project coordinatorJunior Interior DesignerKitchen and Bath DesignerKitchen Designer

Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Interior Design Jobs

Median Pay for Interior Designers

Hourly Wage

Median$25.66
Lowest$14.41
Highest$45.25
01020304050

Yearly Wage

Median$53370
Lowest$29970
Highest$94130
019K38K57K76K95K

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Popular Job Titles in the Interior Design Field

  • Decorating Consultant
  • Design Manager
  • Interior Design Consultant
  • Interior Design Coordinator
  • Interior Design Director
  • Interior Design Principal
  • Interior Design Project Manager
  • Showroom Executive Director

Source: O*NET

Education Requirements/Recommendations for Interior Designers

Commonly required entry-level degree: Bachelor’s: 86%

Recommended Certifications:

  • NCIDQ Certification: Demonstrates mastery of interior design core competencies
  • Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS): For designers specializing in improving accessibility and safety in the homes of senior citizens
  • Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EBD): For designers of health care buildings
  • LEED Professional Credential: For sustainability designers
  • WELL Accredited Professional: For universal designers

Source: O*Net and American Society of Interior Designers

Gender and Age Diversity of Interior Designers (2018)

Workforce

Female 83.8%

Male 16.2%

Average age

Female 42.6 years

Male 49.6 years

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