Rewriting your CV for a UX role

Key skills and qualifications

UX roles require a combination of technical, design, and interpersonal skills. Some of the key skills and qualifications that are relevant for a UX role include user research, wireframing and prototyping, usability testing, visual design, and interpersonal communication. To highlight your relevant skills and qualifications in your CV, you can include a dedicated skills section that lists your technical, design, and interpersonal skills. You can also provide examples of how you’ve used these skills in previous roles or projects throughout your CV.

Showcasing your experience

Hiring managers want to see evidence of your ability to solve real-world problems and improve the user experience. They’re looking for experience in conducting user research, designing and testing prototypes, and delivering successful products or services.

To showcase your experience in a way that’s relevant to the UX role you’re applying for, focus on your previous roles and projects that demonstrate your UX skills. You can use bullet points to highlight your experience in conducting user research, designing and testing prototypes, and delivering successful products or services. Make sure to quantify your accomplishments with data and metrics whenever possible.

For example, instead of saying “worked on a website redesign project,” you could say “conducted user research to identify pain points in the existing website, designed wireframes and prototypes to improve the user experience, and led usability testing sessions with 20 users to validate the design.”

Tailoring your CV to the job description

Tailoring your CV to the specific job you’re applying for demonstrates that you’ve taken the time to understand the role and the company’s needs. It can also help you stand out from other applicants who submit generic CVs. To tailor your CV to the job description, analyze the key responsibilities and required qualifications in the job description. Use similar language and terminology throughout your CV and provide examples that align with the job requirements.

Crafting a Standout Personal Statement

A personal statement is a brief summary of your skills, experience, and career goals. It is usually the first thing that a hiring manager will read on your CV, so it’s important to make a good impression. The purpose of a personal statement is to introduce yourself and your career goals, highlight your key skills and experience, and explain why you are the best candidate for the UX role you’re applying for. Start with a strong opening: Begin your personal statement with a strong opening sentence that captures the reader’s attention and showcases your enthusiasm for UX.

• Be concise: Keep your personal statement brief, ideally no longer than a few sentences. Make sure that every sentence counts and that you’re not repeating information already covered in other parts of your CV.
• Highlight your key skills: Identify the key skills required for the UX role you’re applying for and make sure to include them in your personal statement. Focus on your strengths and how they relate to the role.
• Showcase your experience: Provide examples of projects you’ve worked on that demonstrate your UX skills and experience. Be specific about your role in each project and the results you achieved.
• Explain why you’re the best candidate: Use your personal statement to explain why you’re the best candidate for the role. Be confident but not arrogant, and focus on your unique selling points.

Formatting and Design Tips

In a UX role, it’s essential to have a well-designed and visually appealing CV. A poorly formatted or cluttered CV can be a turn-off for hiring managers, as it suggests that you may not have strong attention to detail or design skills. A well-designed CV can help to showcase your skills and experience in a way that is clear and easy to read. Use a clean and simple layout: Stick to a simple, clean layout that is easy to read and navigate. Avoid using too many colours or fonts, which can make your CV look cluttered.

• Emphasise key information: Use bold font or different font sizes to emphasize key information, such as your name, job title, and key skills.
• Include visuals: If appropriate, include visuals such as icons or graphics to help illustrate your skills or experience. This can help to make your CV more engaging and visually appealing.
• Use white space: Use plenty of white space to break up your CV and make it easier to read. This can also help to draw the reader’s eye to key information.
• Make it easy to scan: Hiring managers may only spend a few seconds scanning your CV, so make sure it’s easy to skim-read. Use bullet points and short sentences to break up text and make it easier to read quickly.

In conclusion, having your CV up to date with these tips and tricks will help your chances when applying for UX-related roles. A good CV is the first stepping stone to landing that dream job, but it is also important that your skills and knowledge of the sector are up to date. If you want to improve your UX skills, join our 2-Day UX course to learn the latest industry trends from practising UX practitioners.