Illustrator CV: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

Thousands of illustrators are hunting for work right now, so your illustrator CV needs to stand out like an H. R. Giger masterpiece.

But—

A colorful design won’t do the trick. So, how do you prove your illustrator skills can rival the likes of Kara Walker or Arthur Jafa?

Let me sketch out the answer.

It’s all about showcasing your illustrator achievements. What have you nailed? Worked with big-name clients? Won a World Illustration Award? Created original art for six children’s books or four medical manuals? List those accomplishments in the right order, and you’ll soon be in the green.

Ready? Let’s get you a gorgeous CV for illustrator jobs.

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

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Illustrator CV made with our builder—See more CV examples here.

Looking for CV advice for other careers? Read more:

• Graphic Designer CV
• Web Developer CV
• Warehouse Operative CV
• Teaching Assistant (TA) CV
• Teacher CV
• Marketing CV
• Business Analyst CV
• Bartender CV
• Architecture CV
• Academic CV

Sample Illustrator CV Template

Here’s how to write your own job-winning illustrator CV:

1. Format Your Illustrator CV Correctly

 You already know how to make things visually pop. To stand out in your job search, pay attention to CV layout. Your content matters, but so do the finer details—margins, fonts, line spacing, and everything in between.  A clean CV format is a clue to the hiring manager that you’re no scribbler.

For a Klimt-level CV:

• Start your reverse-chronological CV with your most recent job and work your way back. If you’re writing a freelance illustrator CV, consider using a skills-based CV instead.
• Add a header up top with your contact info. Skip the physical address—there’s no need for it on your CV.
• Be sure to include your city, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn handle. If you have an online portfolio, add the link—and make sure you have one!
• The right font size for CVs is 10 to 12 points, and choose one that’s easily readable like Arial, Cambria, or Calibri. Don’t get fancy!
• Looking at CV templates can spark some creativity. Start with a creative CV template, then modify it to suit your style to save time.
• How long should your CV be for illustrator jobs? One page is perfect. Can’t fit all your accomplishments? Just be representative.
• For file names, keep it simple: “Name - Job Title - CV.pdf.”
• Finally, save your CV as a PDF. It’s ATS-friendly, and the layout won’t get messed up when you send it.

Read more: 20+ CV Writing Tips and Advice

2. Drop Jaws with a CV Profile Statement

Why do you need a CV profile? Because you want to get hired. Hiring managers won’t read every word— they’ll skim through your CV like an art enthusiast at a Banksy exhibit. To grab their attention, write an introduction that sparks their interest in your skills.

The key to crafting this profile is answering three simple questions:

1. Who are you? 
2. What can you offer to the employer? 
3. What are your career goals? 

How you answer will vary based on your experience. If you're an experienced illustrator, here's what to do:

• Start by listing your professional strengths, including the experience and skills that make you great at your job.
• Next, review the job posting and match 3–4 of your strengths to the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking.
• Use these matched points to craft a CV summary tailored to the specific illustrator position.

And if you’re just starting out and lacking in experience then use this approach.

• Outline the experience and skills you’ve gained so far, emphasizing anything relevant to an illustrator role. Don’t forget to include previous jobs and your education.
• Then, blend this experience with your passion for the job and some insight into the employer, showing why you’re the perfect fit.

Read more: How to Write a CV Summary: 10+ Examples

3. Tailor-fit Your Illustrator Work Experience

This is going to help you get so many more job offers. Don’t write a vanilla illustrator CV with bland accomplishments. Knowing how to tailor your CV sounds daunting, but it’s easy, fun, and soooo worth it.

To customise the work experience description on your CV:

• Use the exact job titles from the job advert. (If they’re looking for an electrical appliance manual illustrator, don’t say you were an appliance publication illustrator.)
• Include your previous employer’s name, their location, and your dates of employment.
• The magic happens in your bullet points. Write 3 to 6, but don’t just list your duties— that’s boring and won’t land you interviews.
• Focus on achievements that demonstrate how you contributed to improving company metrics.
• Pro tip: Avoid using phrases like “responsible for” or “handled.” Opt for stronger action words like “developed,” “created,” and “collaborated with.”

4. Ink In Your Illustrator CV Education Section 

Can you list education on a CV the way it will get you hired? Absolutely—if you do it the right way. You could simply list your school, degree, and graduation date, or you could take it a step further by showcasing your art and soft skills. Guess which approach lands you more job offers?

Follow these CV tips:

• Write the name of your university and your degree on your CV
• Add a couple design or illustration school achievements.

5. Prove the Right Illustrator Skills

I know you’re itching to show your skill set on your CV, but pump the brakes. Many job seekers make the mistake of simply adding a long list of illustrator skills and hoping for the best. To create a recruiter- and ATS-friendly CV, you need to incorporate the key skills from the job ad as CV keywords—and then back them up with examples from your work history.

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

• Identify the key skills listed in the job posting.
• Know the difference between hard skills vs soft skills and make sure to list both.
• Go back to your work history and show you’ve actually used the skills you mention. For example: “Used Adobe Illustrator to create 500+ client designs.”

Illustrator CV 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

When making a CV in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your CV here.

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When you’re done, Zety’s CV builder will score your CV and tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Add Highlights to Your Illustrator CV

Even if you have the right illustrator skills and can back them up, securing a job isn’t guaranteed. To truly stand out, let the employer get to know you better by including additional sections on your CV.

Here’s how to make your CV magnetic:

• Include volunteer work to highlight skills you’ve developed outside of your regular job.
  List association memberships and certifications. Unsure how to format certifications for illustrator roles? Check out the sample above for guidance.
• You can even add hobbies and interests—if they prove skills the employer wants, like administrative skills or persistence.
• If you need to fill some space, show your language proficiency.

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

7. Write a Cover Letter for Your Illustrator CV

Is a cover letter important for an illustrator CV? Absolutely. A cover letter allows you to share details that aren't on your CV and shows you’re not just mindlessly applying through LinkedIn’s auto-apply feature.

But— 

Make your cover letter format count:

• How to start a cover letter. Grab attention with a strong opening line. Mention the job opening by name within the first or second sentence.
• Highlight your achievements: In the second paragraph, emphasize a couple of your best illustrator accomplishments.
• How to end a cover letter: Ask if they’d like to meet. Sound too bold? Not if you suggest discussing how your specific illustrator skills can help them.

How long must a cover letter be? Aim for 3 to 5 paragraphs, and keep it to a single page.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV 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:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

That’s a wrap!

You now have everything you need to create a sharp, standout illustrator CV!

Thanks for reading! Got any lingering questions about crafting an illustrator CV that grabs attention? Drop us a comment, and we’ll be happy to help!

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