Interior Design Resume Examples & Writing Tips

Interior Design Resume Template

This copy-and-paste version uses a resume format that highlights your career progression:

How to write an interior design resume that gets you hired

Even if you know the basics of writing a resume, these tips will help you craft a standout interior design resume tailored to the industry.

1. List your certifications and professional memberships

Certifications and professional memberships add credibility to your interior design resume and help you stand out from similarly experienced candidates.

Many firms will check your resume’s certification section for credentials from the Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). You can also list memberships with respected groups like ASID or IIDA here, or in a dedicated professional affiliations section.

Listing your certifications and memberships shows your commitment to the field and understanding of industry standards.

Example certifications section

Certifications

• NCIDQ Certification, Council for Interior Design Qualification — 20XX
• LEED Green Associate, U.S. Green Building Council — 20XX
• Member, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) — Since 20XX

2. Highlight your knowledge of building codes in your skills section

Interior designers must often work within strict legal and safety frameworks, especially when working on commercial or public spaces.

Demonstrating your familiarity with building codes, ADA compliance, and local zoning regulations shows hiring managers that you’re prepared to create designs that are not only beautiful but also safe, accessible, and legally compliant.

You can list the various codes and regulations you’re familiar with in your skills section:

Example skills section

Additional Skills

• ADA-compliant design
• IBC code knowledge
• Zoning and building regulations
• Fire safety compliance
• Barrier-free design

3. Demonstrate communication skills in a bullet point

In your work experience section, show employers that you can listen to client needs, present ideas clearly, and collaborate with architects, contractors, engineers, and fellow designers to bring projects to life.

Highlighting client-facing and team-based experience shows that you’re not only a communicator, but also a collaborator who can navigate diverse perspectives and drive projects forward. Prove you’re a great communicator with a bullet point like this:

Example bullet point

• Collaborated with architects and lighting consultants to complete a $3 mil. retail space redesign, contributing layout solutions that improved foot traffic by 47%

4. Show your understanding of new trends throughout your resume

Employers want to hire someone who’s up to date on emerging trends, sustainable materials, and innovative techniques.

Showing your awareness of these areas highlights your creativity and forward-thinking approach — both of which can set you apart from other applicants.

You can highlight your understanding of the latest approaches to interior design throughout your resume. Here’s an example of a skills section and a certifications section that both do this:

Example skills section

Additional Skills

• Sustainable materials sourcing
• Trend forecasting
• Biophilic design
• Color theory
• Eco-conscious interiors

Example certifications section

Certfications

• LEED Green Associate, U.S. Green Building Council — 20XX
• Certificate in Sustainable Interior Design, UCLA Extension — 20XX

How to succeed as an interior designer

Get an inside look at what it takes to succeed as an interior designer in this video by YouTuber and interior designer Andrea Tru:

Average interior designer salaries in the US

Interior designer salaries vary based on whether you’re self-employed or work for a firm. If you’re being offered a contract for a full-time role, use the data below to ensure you’re being paid fairly for your location.

The following table includes information from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report (May 2024). Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for interior designers, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.

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