These resume writing tips come from Lena Clark, who has trained hiring professionals on what to look for in applicants. Push past the UX resume template, and stand out.

This advice is derived from the SunflowerUX Resume Revamp Intake Questions Workbook and the Resume Grading Rubric, both of which are guides to crafting your professional resume. They are included in the Journey Map To Your Perfect Career course.

Know Who You're Writing For

Before we jump into your resume, it’s important we consider the audience. It used to be said that hiring managers will spend about 30 seconds on your resume, but now it's closer to 10 seconds. Your goal is to make your resume as clear and concise as possible so that the decision-maker can always find the information they’re looking for.

The process of writing your resume will also assist you in identifying your personal strengths. It's an opportunity to celebrate your wins, reflect on what you’ve learned, and choose where you want your user experience career to take you next! Consider these when writing your UX researcher resume, UX UI resume, UX designer resume.

Why should I add detail if they’re just going to skim my resume? >:(
If you get asked questions that you have already answered in your resume, don’t fret. It might be frustrating at first but it's actually an opportunity to highlight and expand on what you’ve written. Plus, you’ll be confident since you’ve already put the effort into telling a juicy story.

Elements in a Professional Resume Format

Clear and professional contacts

Put your full name at the top, and list your preferred name. Make your name the focal point of your resume. Use a noticeably larger size. You’re the subject of this document, say it proud.

ALL your contact information should be included. Make it easy for someone to look deeper and contact you. List your phone, LinkedIn, personal website, and email. Hyperlink where possible, minimize the barriers for the hiring managers. 

Use a dedicated career email address, that includes your name, you can include your job title too. Something like “bill.mendezUX@gmail.com” is gonna look way more professional than “rugrats_fan_1993@aol.com”.  Your name and job title being repeated together also helps reinforce your role to decision makers.

Professional Story

This is your opportunity to share what you’re passionate about, allow others to relate to you, and connect these past stories to your future in this new UX role. 

If you are transitioning careers, highlight how your previous roles prepared you for your next phase. Your non-traditional background is NOT a weakness, it is where your story began! The beauty of UX and tech is that we each have diverse stories. You belong here. 

Create a narrative that paints your background, and confidently describe your user experience career trajectory.  Align this story with that specific role you're applying to. Describe how this previous experience prepared you for that next role. If you are applying to multiple roles, each role needs its own resume with a unique narrative. It shows confidence in your tech career journey.

Personal Statement

Two sentences describing your level of experience, your top skills, and details about your ideal role. Be concise, extra details can go into your professional story or cover letter. Keep it to just: “I’ve spent x years doing this and that, I want to be on this team because of x opportunity” make it clear that you want to get hired in UX.

Think of it as a trading card description. You need just enough info so you can be sorted into the right deck!

Work Experience and Credentials

Highlight your STAR qualities!

Situation - Task - Action - Result

Describe the Situation you were in. Explain the Tasks that needed to be done. Narrate the Actions you took, to get the Results.

e.g. Leveraged a budget of $500 to conduct market research and design marketing campaigns for medium-sized public events. Dispersed marketing materials via social media for 6 months, directly increasing attendance by 37%.

This helps the reader relate your previous successes to your new potential challenges. List applicable credentials. This includes certifications you’ve both earned and are currently pursuing. Show your commitment to ongoing education.

Personal Flair

Highlight the unique factors that make you attractive to a hiring manager. Write a little about yourself as a person, such as particular interests of yours that could pertain to the new role or coworkers. Add awards you’ve earned and brag a little!

Be Concise, Be Consistent!

This is a platform to tell your story, be concise, and use details that are relevant to the new UX position you’re applying for. Be creative in connecting your previous experience to your future role. Consider what the hiring manager is looking for and make it easy for them to find the info they're looking for at a glance

For some more hands-on assistance, check out Journey Map To Your Perfect Career course SunflowerUX looks forward to helping you craft your professional story through your resume, narratives, and more!