Employers screen resumes for between 2.5 and 20 seconds. That is all the time you get to make a good impression. Most job seekers only have to worry about presenting the necessary information in an acceptable format. Graphic designers have the added concern of presenting a creative resume reflecting their talent. Graphics designers cannot just write about their qualifications, they have to show their design skills.

Present Important Information
Employers need to see your credentials. Highlighting your design skills is important, but so are the facts. Do not get carried away designing your resume so that it detracts from your qualifications. Strike a balance between creative display and typical resume formatting. Include your contact information, job history and educational background in an easy to read format. You can highlight your design skills, but not at the expense of obscuring important information.

Use Graphic Design Software
According to Youthedesigner.com, graphic designers should not create resumes using Microsoft Word or other word processing software. Use your favorite graphic design software instead. Software for graphic design allows you to create a more interesting and creative resume.

Avoid Times New Roman
Times New Roman is a popular font, however, many designers dislike it because it is overused. If an employer agrees with that idea, they might ignore your resume. Instead use a distinctive font, but make sure that it is still easy-to-read. Graphic design programs come with a variety of fonts included. Open your favorite program and experiment with the fonts you find there.

Use Multiple Pages with Needed
The accepted rule is to keep your resume to a single page. That is good advice -- unless you end up cramming too much information on the page. Don't shy away from a multi-page resume if you need one. As long as you do not go overboard with graphics and design elements, more than one page is fine.

Create a Unique Design
Standing out from the crowd is not easy when you are competing against other graphic designers. According to The Web Designer Depot, a creative and visually appealing resume is the best way to stand out in a crowd of talented designers.

As a graphic designer, you are free to experiment with your resume's design. You could make your resume look like a page out of your favorite magazine. Another idea is to make a resume that looks like a page from the phone book. Graphic designers have done everything from creating board game resumes to creating resumes that look like restaurant menus.