The creative resume

You want your resume to be memorable and stand out from the others in the pack, but the design should match the position you are applying for and the company environment.

I recently volunteered to review a client’s resume. She was applying for a job at a large Financial Institution. She had her artistic husband design a very creative resume, which showcased his graphic design skills. The resume looked great, if she was applying for an artistic position. You want your resume to be memorable and stand out from the others in the pack, but the design should match the position you are applying for and the company environment.

Unless you are applying for a very conventional job with a conventional employer who will not appreciate a creative resume, you want a job resume that will set you apart for the other individuals vying for the job. You want a resume that is creatively smart and will best reflect your qualifications, giving you the opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer.

How to make a creative resume

If you really want to make a job search resume that surpasses the competition, there are some key elements that must be included, especially if you want your potential employer to notice that little something different that you will bring to the company. Here are 4 tips that will help you prepare the perfect job resume:

• Choose a font that will catch the attention of the reader. However, make certain it’s still easy to read and looks professional. Some fonts are great for letters and cards, but they are totally inappropriate for a professional resume.
• Choose a theme that reflects a bit of your personality, while still remaining professional. For example, a person applying for a graphics artist position may create a template that reflects his/her talents in a professional way. Some resumes include a header that coincides with the applicant’s job qualifications. A nurse may choose a nursing header on the resume. It’s a good idea to have the resume divided into sections for easier reading.
• Color is also important. If you are applying for a more traditional position, a white background is best. For example, you probably wouldn’t apply for a job with the FBI on pink stationary. However, if the job entails computer graphics or artistry, the resume should reflect something of your talents and expertise.
• A creative resume should include all of the elements of any job resume. In fact, there is a recommended order that helps organize the information and assists your potential employer in locating the data.

A creative resume doesn’t have to be difficult. You simply need to include all of the necessary elements, while making sure the design reflects the position for which you are applying and stands out amongst all of the other resumes in the pile. Then, your job resume is more likely to be selected for the next step in the job application process.