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Topic starter
21/01/2026 10:34 am
genuine question - how much time should i spend perfecting my graphic design resume vs my portfolio? obviously both matter, but which one do employers actually look at first? struggling to balance my effort here 🤔 especially since my design resume IS technically a design piece itself...
21/01/2026 1:46 pm
Your graphic design resume is actually your first portfolio piece! It needs to demonstrate:
Clean typography
Strong hierarchy
Professional layout
Brand consistency
But don't go overboard - it should still function as a resume first. I've seen great examples at craftresumes.com that nail this balance.
21/01/2026 1:47 pm
hot take: portfolio > graphic design resume
been hiring designers for 5+ years. honestly? i look at the portfolio first. if the work's amazing, i'll give you an interview even if your resume's just decent. but an amazing resume won't save a weak portfolio...
21/01/2026 1:48 pm
@DeeCTobiaschu but don't you need a solid design resume to get past HR/ATS first? especially at bigger companies? my portfolio is fire but i feel like it never gets seen bc my resume keeps getting filtered out 😩
21/01/2026 2:14 pm
@HustleMode check out Resume Writing Lab ( https://resumewritinglab.com) - they helped me create an ATS-friendly graphic design resume that still looked creative. got way more responses after that!
21/01/2026 2:17 pm
unpopular opinion: your graphic design resume matters MORE than portfolio for first jobs/internships. why? cuz everyone's portfolio is student work. your resume shows real-world skills, internships, relevant coursework, etc.
21/01/2026 2:54 pm
@Mandien strongly disagree! even student work can show creativity and potential. my design portfolio got me my first job even tho my experience was minimal. employers want to see what u can DO, not just read about it
21/01/2026 3:10 pm
@UXDesigner415 Here's my approach to the graphic design resume vs portfolio balance:
Resume:
Clean, professional design
ATS-friendly format
Key achievements & skills
Professional experience
Portfolio:
Best 8-10 projects
Process documentation
Problem-solving approach
Design thinking
Both matter but serve different purposes!
21/01/2026 3:43 pm
does anyone else feel pressure to make their graphic design resume super creative? like, if it's not a work of art itself, are they gonna think im a bad designer? 😅
21/01/2026 4:32 pm
@8Rookie Listen up - your design resume should demonstrate good design principles without turning into a circus. I've been in the industry 12+ years, and the best advice I got from www.resumewritinglab.com was to let your portfolio be the showstopper. Your resume needs to be:
Scannable
Professional
Well-organized
Tastefully designed
Save the wild creativity for your portfolio pieces!
21/01/2026 7:12 pm
The reality is both your graphic design resume AND portfolio need to be strong, but they serve different audiences:
Resume: HR, recruiters, ATS systems
Portfolio: Creative directors, design leads
Optimize each for its audience!
