How to write a content designer CV in 5 steps (with example)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published 22 November 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Content design is a field which is concerned with making sure that users are able to locate and use the content they require. Content designers can therefore work closely with UX designers, copywriters and product developers. If you want to become a content designer, knowing how to create an effective CV can help you get the job you want. In this article, we explain what a content designer is, show you how to write a content designer CV and provide an example of one.

What is a content designer?

A content designer is a professional who considers the user's need for content and tries to develop or suggest methods for improvement. The exact nature of the content can vary significantly, from a single list of instructions to an entire journey of interaction with an organisation's content. Content designers might spend a lot of time researching to better understand their target audience and what they look for in a product. They can also research and familiarise themselves with the products themselves to evaluate possible customer interactions, analyse data, gather feedback and develop content design strategies.

How to write a content designer CV

If you want to write a content designer CV, consider the steps below:

1. Research the position

The role of content designer can involve varying responsibilities, depending on the organisation, the products it sells and its existing content team. Content design work can overlap with content strategy, content writing and similar roles. Carefully reading the role description in the job advertisement is going to allow you to understand what's necessary and tailor your CV accordingly. Look for keywords which appear multiple times, specific role responsibilities, previous work experience requirements and necessary skill sets. Remember that the desired attributes and experiences can be more useful for standing out from other candidates, provided you already possess the necessary ones.

Another good step is to research the hiring organisation itself. See if you can find information on other people it previously hired and what sort of company culture it has.

2. Write an attractive summary

Your professional summary is one of the first ways of getting a hiring manager's attention. This is a short paragraph of just a few lines near the top of your CV, just below your personal details and contact information. Write a few lines which summarise your experience, professional ability and career goals. This is the first part of your CV which you can tailor to the position and hiring organisation using the information you gathered. Try to determine which requirements and attributes are both the most important and likely to help you stand out, then incorporate them into your summary.

For instance, assume you found a content designer vacancy which emphasises research and analytical skills, in addition to at least a year of experience. Your research into the hiring organisation reveals that its culture values learning and professional development. You might therefore describe yourself in your professional summary as a motivated and developing content designer with two years of experience, with a preference for making data-driven content design decisions. You can then add a couple of attributes that make you stand out, remembering to keep the summary to a few lines long at most.

3. Provide your work experience

Your work experience is among the most important aspects of your CV, which is why it's often a good idea to include it near the top. If you're applying for entry-level positions, like an associate content designer or assistant content designer, it's likely that you've recently completed some form of education. In this case, list your work experience further down your CV and focus on your qualifications instead. To provide your work experience, start with your current or most recent role. After providing the title, time worked and the name of the organisation, you can add some details regarding your responsibilities.

You can provide these details as a list of bullet points under the job. Just like your summary, you can tailor this section of your CV using the information you gathered. Check to see which experiences the vacancy mentions as necessary or desirable and highlight these if possible. You can also list responsibilities or achievements which demonstrate your possession of desirable skills. Repeat this for every other role you've had in reverse-chronological order. You can provide extra detail for your current role than previous ones through a couple of extra bullet points.

4. List your skills

Your skill set is another key aspect of your eligibility for the role. Content design relies on multiple soft skills which allow you to develop the best solutions, but there are also some hard skills which can help you stand out from other candidates. Your skills can be indicative of your past experience, your education or your motivation to continue learning. As with the rest of your CV, start by checking the information you gathered to identify the skills which are most important for the position and hiring organisation.

For any of these that you possess, list them first before proceeding with the rest of your skill set. Given that content design can involve a lot of variety, carefully evaluate your skill set to determine which might have some use and could also be rare among candidates. Some examples of useful content design skills include the following:

critical thinking and analysis
attention to detail
research
problem-solving
organisation, planning and time management
spreadsheets and data analysis
excellent written and verbal communication
general computer skills
content writing
editing and proofreading
leadership
project management
knowledge of UX and UI
knowledge of visual design

5. Add your education and qualifications

Your qualifications, training and education can be an important contributors to your eligibility for the role. If you've recently completed some form of education or training and have little or no work experience, this section becomes much more important. In this case, it's often better to start with your qualifications after your summary and then proceed to your skills and any experience you might have. The amount of detail you provide can also vary depending on the position.

For instance, you might have recently completed a degree and are applying for an entry-level position as a junior content designer. In this case, you can add some bullet points to elaborate on what you did during your education and training to align with the requirements of the job.

Content designer CV example

Here's an example of a CV for a content designer position:

Hannah Becket
0222 333 4444 | hbecket@email.co.uk | Reading, Berkshire

Professional summary
Attentive and organised content designer with three years of experience in the industry. Very organised, critical and attentive to detail. Looking for a position that allows me to utilise and develop my skills.

Experience
Content designer | 2020-Current
Kornelle & Co | Basingstoke, Hampshire

Developing new content journeys for customers
Preparing customer experience surveys to gather qualitative and quantitative data
Performing digital product research and reviews
Working with writers and designers to improve existing content
Overseeing associate content designers and liaising with managers

Junior content designer | 2019-2020
Kornelle & Co | Basingstoke, Hampshire

Assisted the lead content designer in analysing and improving existing content
Produced written content and performed data entry in spreadsheets
Prepared critical analyses on individual content pieces with improvement suggestions

Content writer | 2017-2019
Freelance | Remote

Prepared content for various clients in the tech and retail industries
Conducted product and consumer research to inform writing
Cooperated with marketers and analysts to make suggestions and give feedback

Skills
Research | Problem-solving | Data analysis | Spreadsheets | Organisation and time-management

Education
Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media, College of South England - 2019
A-levels in English and Digital Media and Design, School of South England - 2017

Disclaimer: The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.