Illustrator Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

With thousands of illustrators vying for jobs, your resume needs to shine like a true work of art. But avoid using overly flashy designs—they can make you look unprofessional, which is a major setback.

Let me provide the solution. Follow the guide below, and you’ll be well on your way to making your mark in the illustration world.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Use this resume template

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.

Looking for more creative resume examples? Here they are:

• Graphic Design Resume Examples
• 3D Artist Resume Examples
• Animator Resume Examples
• Art Director Resume Examples
• Artist Resume Examples
• Fashion Designer Resume Examples
• Film Resume Examples
• Game Design Resume Examples
• Graphic Designer Resume Examples
• Job Resume Examples for All Professions

Sample Illustrator Resume Template

Here’s how to craft an illustrator resume that gets results:

1. Format Your Illustrator Resume for Maximum Impact

You already know how to create eye-catching visuals, so use that expertise when formatting your resume. Attention to detail—like margins, fonts, line spacing, and overall resume layout—shows hiring managers that you're not just a creative mind, but also someone who takes professionalism seriously. A polished resume format signals to the hiring manager that you're a professional, not an amateur.

Create a masterpiece of a resume:

• Start with a reverse-chronological format. by listing the last place you worked. List your most recent job first, then work backward to your earliest role. For freelance illustraators, consider a skills-based resume instead.
• Add a clean header at the top with your contact information. No need for a physical address—just include your city, email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile. Don't forget to link to your online portfolio if you have one.
• Choose a readable font size (10-12 points) in fonts like Arial, Cambria, or Calibri—simplicity is key.
• Browse resume templates for inspiration. Pick a creative resume template, then adapt it to fit your unique style and needs.
• Keep your resume to one page. If it’s overflowing, focus on your most relevant accomplishments.
• Name your resume file clearly—"YourName - Illustrator Resume.pdf"—and save it as a PDF to preserve your layout and make it ATS-friendly.
• Save your resume as a PDF. PDFs are ATS-friendly and they keep your formatting intact.

Read more: Best Resume Types

2. Craft a Bold Resume Summary

Why include a resume profile? Because it's your best shot at getting noticed—and hired.

Most recruiters won't read every word.  They skim. To make them stop and take a closer look, start your resume with a brief intro that highlights what you bring to the table.

Think of it as a one-paragraph elevator pitch that shows off your top skills and achievements.

If you’re starting out and making a resume for your first job, write a resume objective. Those focus on what you want to help your next employer do.

Been illustrating for a while? Use a resume summary. Highlight how many years you've been in the field and spotlight your key achievements.

Read more: How to Make a Resume Stand Out

3. Customize Your Illustrator Job Description

Want more job offers? Start by ditching the generic resume. A one-size-fits-all illustrator resume won’t cut it. Tailoring your experience may sound intimidating, but it’s simple—and totally worth it.

Here's how to customize the work experience section like a pro:

• Mirror the job title from the job posting. If they need a medical manual illustrator, don't list yourself as a medical publication illustrator—match their wording.
• Include your previous employer’s name, location, and the dates you worked there.
• Now for the real impact: bullet points. Add 3–6 and skip the boring task lists. Focus on achievements that show how you added value.
• Show results—mention how your work improved processes, solved problems, or contributed to goals.
• Avoid dull verbs like responsible for or handled. Use action verbs like created, designed, or collaborated to show initiative and creativity.

Job gap? See our guide: Is It OK Not to Include Dates on Your Resume? Date Format

4. Showcase Education on Your Illustrator Resume

List your education on a resume the way it will get you hired. Sure, you can just add your school, degree, and graduation date. But why stop there? Showcase your art and soft skills to really make an impact. Want more job offers? Here’s how:

Follow these resume tips:

• Include school's name and degree on your resume.
• Add any relevant achievements or projects from design or illustration courses.
• Should you put a GPA on your resume? Only if it’s 3.6 or higher.

Read more: How to List a Minor and Major on a Resume

5. Highlight Your Key Illustrator Skills

Before you fill your resume with a long list of skills, hold off. While it’s tempting to showcase every illustrator and graphic design skill, it won’t necessarily get you hired. To make your resume stand out for ATS and recruiters, focus on the skills and resume keywords mentioned in the job description. Then, back them up with concrete examples from your experience. Instead of just listing skills, prove you’ve applied them in your work history.

Here's how to add illustrator skills to a resume:

• Seek the right skills in the job posting.
• Know the difference between hard skills vs soft skills and make sure to list both.
• Circle back to your work history and prove you’ve used the skills you list. How? With statements like, “Used Adobe Illustrator to create 500+ client designs.”

Illustrator Resume Skills

• Medical illustration
• Fashion design illustration
• Children’s books
• Magazines
• Technical illustration
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• HTML/CSS
• Layout
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Time management skills
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Computer skills
• Teamwork skills
• Adaptability
• Organizational skills
• Active listening

Pro Tip: There are less than 50,000 illustrator jobs in the U.S. and they’re not making any new ones. Spend the time to target your resume even if it feels slow.

Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our ATS resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Boost Your Illustrator Resume with Key Higlights

Even with the right illustrator skills and solid experience, landing the job isn’t a sure thing. To stand out, give your resume personality with extra sections that reveal more about you.

Here’s how to add impact:

• Include volunteer work to show off skills gained outside of paid roles.
• Add professional memberships and certifications to build credibility. Not sure how to list certifications on a resume for illustrator jobs? See the sample up top.
• List hobbies, interests, and activities—if they reflect relevant traits like creativity, persistence, or organizational skills.
• Mention language proficiency if it's relevant or helps round out your resume.

Read more: What Are the Important Sections in a Resume?

7. Craft a Standout Cover Letter for Your Illustrator Resume

Is a cover letter important for illustrator resumes? Absolutely. It gives you a chance to share what your resume can’t—and shows you’re not just blasting out applications with a click.

To make your cover letter structure count:

• Start a cover letter with a compelling first line and mention the job title early.
• In the second paragraph, spotlight one or two key illustrator accomplishments.
• Close with confidence by offering to chat about how your skills can support their goals.

How long must a cover letter be? Keep it short and sharp: 3–5 paragraphs on a single page is the sweet spot.

Read more: Short Cover Letter Examples

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

And that's a wrap!

You’ve got everything you need to sketch out a polished, eye-catching illustrator resume.

Still have questions or need help fine-tuning yours? Drop us a comment—we’re here to help!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm