A Winning CV: Interior Designer CV Example + Guide [2024]

Sobhan Mohmand, CV Writing Expert          26 Oct 2023

Are you looking to write your perfect Interior Designer CV?

Interior designers are responsible for creating visually appealing and functional spaces, and a well-crafted CV is your key to showcasing your qualifications, experience and achievements.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the process step by step, offering valuable tips and providing examples to help you craft an interview-winning CV that stands out in the competitive field of interior design.

Let’s get started!

• Interior designer CV example
• Download CV template (Word format)
• How to format your CV
• How to write a perfect CV (a step-by-step guide)
• Personal profile statement example
• Duties to add to your CV
• Useful skills to add to your CV
• Tips on making your CV more effective

CV Example

Preview

What makes this CV good and effective?

• The candidate’s CV opens with a visually appealing design, reflecting the creativity often associated with interior design.
• Each job role in the “Experience” section is accompanied by concise yet detailed descriptions of the candidate’s responsibilities and accomplishments.
• The inclusion of a separate “Skills” section highlights both hard skills (e.g., AutoCAD software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., effective communication with clients).
• It incorporates white space effectively, preventing the document from feeling cluttered and overwhelming. White spaces, in visual design, refer to the empty space around text elements.
• The CV utilises a combination of bold and italic fonts to draw attention to key information, ensuring that it’s visually engaging.
• The CV maintains a consistent style in font, headings, and colour schemes, giving it a polished and professional appearance.

Download CV template

Download

Are you writing your CV from scratch or is your CV template outdated? Download this professional CV template to impress employers!

• Free
• Save time and effort
• Guaranteed correct CV structure
• Word document (.docx) format
• Fully customizable

How to save your CV as a PDF document:

• Click on File > Save As > Select “PDF” from the drop-down menu.

How to format your CV

• Include a link to your portfolio: You should incorporate a dedicated “Portfolio” section or provide a link to their online portfolio, allowing potential employers to see your work visually. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!
• Use a clean and professional layout: Use a well-structured format that’s easy to read, with clear headings and consistent fonts to make your CV visually appealing. Making a good first impression is critical, especially when applying for jobs in interior design where design skills, attention to detail and creativity are important.
• Show your creativity: As a general rule of thumb, CVs should normally not be fancy, unconventional and/or creative. However, as you’re applying for a creative role there is some flexibility on how you can present your CV. Use a combination of professional fonts, styles, colour schemes and design elements to produce a CV that stands out in your industry.
• Showcase your experience: In the “Work Experience” section, describe your design roles with bullet points that begin with strong action verbs, such as “Designed bespoke interiors for high-end residences…” Not sure which words to use? Read: Best keywords to use on your CV.

How to write an Interior Designer CV (in a few simple steps)

Personal information

Your CV’s personal details section is where you provide essential information that allows potential employers to contact you. It should include your full name, phone number, professional email address and postal address.

This section is vital for communication and should be accurate and up-to-date. If employers can’t get hold of you in the first few attempts, they probably won’t try again.

• Graham Lewis
• 45 Oak Avenue, Manchester, M2 2CD
• Mob: 07890 123456       Email: [email protected]

Profile statement

Your personal statement is like an introduction to who you are as a professional.

It should contain a brief, well-written summary of your skills, experience and what benefit you can bring to the employer.

This section is very important because it’s the first thing employers read, and it sets the tone for the rest of your CV. If it’s good, the reader will continue reading. Otherwise, the rest of the CV may never be read so make sure it’s well-crafted.

Read more: How to write an effective personal statement.

Interior designer personal profile example:

As an experienced interior designer, I’ve successfully transformed spaces into stunning, functional environments. With a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget, I’ve created elegant residential designs like the Smith Residence and modern commercial spaces such as the Business Office. My passion for innovative design solutions drives my commitment to exceeding client expectations.

Achievements

The achievements section in your CV is where you get to brag a bit about yourself. You should showcase specific, noteworthy accomplishments or successes that set you apart from the other candidates.

This can include things like awards you’ve received, successful projects you’ve led, promotions, academic achievements or any other remarkable milestones that demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers.

When presenting your achievements, use bullet points instead of paragraphs.

• Received the “Design Student Award of The Year” for outstanding achievement in interior design studies in 2020.
• Completed a residential project ahead of schedule and under budget, saving the client 15% in costs.
• Participated in design exhibitions or local art shows, gaining recognition for unique design concepts.

Employment history

The employment history of your CV contains details of your previous jobs and work experience.

The entries should normally be presented in reverse-chronological order (i.e. most recent first) and should contain the following information:

• The start and end dates of the employment or work experience
• Your job title
• The organisation’s name
• Your key duties, responsibilities and achievements

Interior designer duties to add to your CV

• Conceptualizing and creating innovative interior design concepts that align with client preferences and project objectives.
• Developing detailed design plans, including layout, colour schemes and materials selection, to bring design concepts to life.
• Collaborating with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and presenting design proposals for approval.
• Managing project budgets, including cost estimation and procurement of materials and furnishings.
• Utilising design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp) to create accurate and visually appealing design presentations.
• Overseeing the execution of design projects and coordinating with contractors and suppliers to ensure adherence to design specifications.
• Providing excellent customer service and maintaining positive client relationships, resulting in repeat business and referrals.

Education

The education section of your CV contains a list of your academic qualifications, including degrees, diplomas certifications and the institutions where you earned them.

This section helps employers understand your educational background and is particularly important for roles where specific qualifications are required.

Professional Qualifications & Training

In this section, only include qualifications and training that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. This may include certifications, licenses, workshops, courses and any additional training that enhances your qualifications.

Format the section with bullet points to make it easy to read and scan.

• Chartered Interior Designer (Chartered ID) – Chartered Society of Designers (CSD)
• Professional Member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID)
• Diploma in Architectural Interior Design – Interior Design Institute
• AutoCAD Certification – Autodesk
• Diploma in 3D Rendering and Visualization – Interior Design Academy

Core competencies

The core competencies section of your CV is where you highlight the key skills and abilities that make you a strong candidate for the position.

It should contain a concise list of your most relevant skills and expertise, focusing on those directly related to interior design.

This is the place to showcase your proficiency in software like AutoCAD and SketchUp, your knowledge of design principles, space planning, colour theory, and your ability to create visually appealing, functional spaces that meet client needs.

• Space planning: Proven expertise in optimising space utilisation, as evidenced by creating efficient layouts for residential and commercial projects, including a 20% increase in usable space for a retail client.
• Project management: Proficient in project management, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget, exemplified by managing and successfully delivering a wide range of interior design projects.
• AutoCAD proficiency: Adept at using AutoCAD for precise technical drawings and plans, demonstrated through the accurate production of detailed blueprints for numerous projects.

Useful interior design skills to add to your CV

• Colour theory: Knowledge of colour psychology and effective use of colour in design to evoke desired moods.
• 3D modelling: Proficient in creating 3D visualisations using software like SketchUp to present design concepts.
• Technical drawing: Proficiency in creating detailed technical drawings and blueprints for construction.
• AutoCAD expertise: Skilled in using AutoCAD for precise technical drawings and floor plans.
• Furniture selection: Expertise in choosing and sourcing furniture that complements the design vision.
• Space planning: The ability to optimise layouts for functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces.
• Client communication: Effective communication with clients to understand their needs and preferences.
• Concept development: Creating unique design concepts that align with client objectives and preferences.

Hobbies

The hobbies section of your CV offers a glimpse into your personality, strengthens your application and can help you connect with potential employers on a more personal level.

You can mention interests like visiting art galleries, DIY home improvement projects, or even photography, all of which demonstrate your passion for design and aesthetics, and can set you apart from other candidates.

Professional references

The references section of a CV typically contains the contact information and details of individuals who can vouch for your qualifications and character to potential employers.

Alternatively, you can write, “Available upon request” if you do not wish to disclose the details of your referees at this stage of the hiring process. Employers typically need this information after the job interview and before they make the formal job offer.

Tips to make your CV more effective

• Showcase your portfolio: Include a well-organised portfolio section in your CV, highlighting your best interior design projects, such as redesigning a chic urban apartment or creating a functional office space that boosted productivity. Alternatively, your personal details section should contain a link to your online portfolio.
• Tailor your CV: Customise your CV for each job application, aligning your skills and experience with the specific requirements of the role, whether it’s in residential design, commercial spaces or hospitality projects. Targeted CVs are much more likely to be shortlisted.
• Use industry keywords: Incorporate relevant industry keywords and terminology, such as “CAD proficiency” “sustainable design” and “ergonomic solutions” to signal your expertise and understanding of the field.
• Use a clean design: Apply your design sensibilities to your CV layout, ensuring it’s aesthetically pleasing, easy to read and well-organised, just as you would with a client’s space.
• Emphasise collaboration: Illustrate your ability to collaborate with architects, contractors and clients by describing successful teamwork in transforming a concept into a stunning reality.

Conclusion

This is the end of our comprehensive guide on crafting the perfect Interior Designer CV.

You should now have a clear understanding of how to structure your CV, highlight your design achievements, and tailor it to stand out in the competitive job market.

Remember to maintain a clean, visually appealing format that mirrors your design abilities.

Good luck!