how to make creative resumes

23 Creative Resume Examples for 2024

In This Guide:

Gisele henne creative resume shows results not responsibilities, pierre rogers’ creative resume showcases intense passion, jimmy moore’s resume shows out of the box thinking, emily bain shows how a creative resume can stand out.

Scott McDowell's creative resume is playful and inventive

Linda Nakanishi shows by doing

Deda's resume shows who she is as a person

Matteo Reggi's creative resume showcases style

Stuart Mayhew's resume is a conversation starter

Anton Yermolov has a simple and creative 1-page resume

An extraordinary korean style resume, magnus henriksen is nothing but himself, harrison carter watkins shows off his design philosophy.

Chris Rowe's personality doesn't get lost in the details

Pau Morgan gets the important information across

Jimmy raheriarisoa’s resume is bursting with personality.

Monica Gomes' resume pays tribute to classics

Navdeep Raj's resume divides and conquers

Pam Bailey's resume tells a story

Seth Adler's resume is tailor made for the job he wants

Jonathan Fischer's resume is like nothing you've ever seen

Victor Rodriguez creative resume thinks inside the box

Nick begley thinks way outside the box, should you use a creative resume, how do i make my resume creative (without going overboard).

Gone are the days when a resume was only about showing your work experience.

A great creative resume needs to stand out.

Whether it’s at a career fair or in an HR department, when recruiters have looked at 100s of resumes in a single day, they should remember yours.

But that’s easier said than done.

So we found 23 truly unique creative resume examples to show you just what’s possible.

While each has its strengths and weaknesses, they all have something to teach you about how to create a standout resume.

Here’s what you’ll learn today:

• Browse through unique resume examples and the tactics they use to highlight important info;
• When should you be creative on your resume (and when not);
• Practical tips on how to make your resume more visually appealing.

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

We designed most of Enhancv’s features with the applicant’s individuality in mind.

Sure, we could have made a sleuth of simpler, black-on-white resume designs, but for that you’ve already got MS Office.

Some features that make Enhancv a staple creative resume builder include My Time, the 1000s of font, colour and background combos and the ability to rename just about any section of the builder to your liking.

This gives you a starting point to unleash your creativity and do some wondrous things without going overboard:

• Spruce up your headline or any other section;
• Make use of a single page resume ;
• Describe your passions and professional resume story just like we did with Marissa Mayer’s resume .

For the 23 designers below, sending a resume in a black-on-white A4 doc file is a sacrilege.

And, while being creative on your resume has its time and place (read more about that at the end of the article), you can use some of the design choices below to your advantage.

Let’s dive in!

Gisele’s resume does a great job balancing eye-catching design with a strong focus on results. Right away you can’t miss the key metrics here: 20 corporate projects delivered, 40 books managed, 15 years of freelance experience. All that is valuable information you have to pass to the reader right away.

It’s best to focus on results and not responsibilities. This has been a resume writing best practice for years , but it can’t be emphasized enough. Still, what makes this resume stand out is the “creative process” section. It’s designed to get the reader to really understand Gisele’s way of thinking, something a traditional resume wouldn’t be able to convey.

Last but not least, the “Etc.” section is a very smart way to grab employers’ attention and showcase side activities that shaped Gisele as the person. Things like playing the piano and guitar since childhood may be left out of most resumes, but they show qualities like dedication and consistency.

Gisele didn’t play for a few years and then got bored, she stuck with it. Those are qualities employers look for.

Pierre Rogers has incorporated his passion for computer games into his resume. His completed missions are his achievements, his special attributes are his experience and his weapons are his software as a character artist. It’s clear he didn’t get into his field because he couldn’t think of anything better to do.

Showing your passion for your work speaks volumes to employers, making you more memorable and hireable. That’s a lesson Pierre has learned well.

Filmmakers and producers always need to be ready to think outside of the box. From having to reshoot a certain scene when an actor has a new hairstyle to creating a chase sequence on a shoestring budget. Jimmy‘s resume shows he has the mindset to tackle those tough problems by showcasing his creativity. True, it has far fewer career details, but those can always be available on request. What Jimmy has done here is make a strong first impression.

With both of the resumes she uses, Emily starts off with her top professional strengths. Putting them right beneath her name ensures any read will get the main points right off the bat. One resume then focuses on telling her story and giving important context to the rest of the resume while the other gets straight into her work history.

Scott McDowell's creative resume is playful and inventive

Scott’s resume gives you an immediate impression of who he is and how he thinks. What it sacrifices in details it makes up for in personality (plus by including a link to more information, the typical biographical details we expect to see on a resume are all readily available).

The inclusion of subtle background elements encourages readers to take some time to explore the resume, giving it more time to make an impression.

You may have read that recruiters spend 6 seconds on a resume . Well, it’s unfortunately true. Often the choice whoever gets an interview call comes down to who made a quick impression. Linda starts off with two sentences explaining who she is and what she does before breaking down her work and life skills.

The result is a resume that explains the essentials in advance before inviting you to explore more. You can check Linda’s website here .

Deda's resume shows who she is as a person

You have to see the full version of Deda’s remarkable resume ! In it she shares not only the obligatory things (skills, experience, etc.) but also her Design Theory, Life Essentials, Personal Lifestyle Preferences and the Statement of Purpose – things that reveal much more about her personality.

Personality is important enough that even Richard Branson admits that it’s the most important component when hiring. Why? Because tech skills can be learned with time, but being persistent, diligent, and communicative are rare gems in a sea of qualified applicants.

Matteo Reggi's creative resume showcases style

Matteo Reggi’s resume shows he has the mind of a designer. His mind works a bit differently and you may have to tilt your head a bit to get it all. But that’s how interesting and engaging design often works.

The resume may be unconventional, but so is Matteo. Instead of pretending to be something he’s not, he brings his whole self to his resume. If you ask us, it really shows. You can view his work here .

Stuart Mayhew's resume is a conversation starter

We simply love this resume! Stuart Mayhew has combined information regarding his knowledge and experience and has shaped it brilliantly with this design. It paints a picture of a full person, from various life and work experiences to generally how he thinks.

Combined with a powerhouse list of clients, there’s plenty here to make a recruiter want to strike up a conversation and learn more about Stuart. That’s where he can have the chance to make yet another good impression.

He’s produced hundreds of copies of his simple and contemporary 1 page resume to hand out. Besides the design, Anton’s resume stands out by including information that’s hardly typical. Travels, interests, and characteristics bring his personality and experience to the forefront.

A great idea is to change the name of your “tech skills” section to a more job-specific one like Creative Fields or Management Skills, so that it’s more relevant to the position you are applying for. Go & see his work !

Undoubtedly a unique design incorporating Korean elements, this resume actually stands out in more ways than one. The whole resume has a fantastic “My Favorite Things” section which really shows off their design skills. One small issue is using language like “Please contact me…” which can signal a lack of confidence. Otherwise, this resume is memorable.

Magnus Henriksen created this original resume that shows him both as a person and as a professional. It’s simple and straight-forward in a refreshing way while not sacrificing any personality or style. Having such a resume confirms your skills as a designer and makes you stand out. Elements of it may be a bit immature, but Magnus isn’t interested in being anything other than himself.

It’s for the best, as companies should always know what they’re getting when they hire. With Magnus, they’re getting a talented jokester. You can check out some of his work here .

Next up is Harrison Carter Watkins’ Creative Resume . “How I think” is a powerful section to include, especially the way he did it – separate it into two parts – “Thoughts & Method” and “Productivity & Speed” which add a layer of personality alongside the technical one.

Another thing that makes a great impression is the quote featured prominently in the center: “The details don’t make the design, they are the design.”

You get a strong feeling for Harrison’s philosophy of design alongside his work experience and other details. For more of his works check out his Behance profile .

Chris Rowe's personality doesn't get lost in the details

This resume is outstanding not only because of it’s visual appearance but because of the compelling manner Chris has described himself. Including sections like “Clearing the mind” or “The Intangibles” provide a lot of details about your true personality and are a much better way to express what kind of person you are.

Besides, dividing your skill set into 3 parts – Knowledge, Design and Management & Communication, enables the recruiter to immediately see what your main areas of expertise are and gives him an incentive to keep on reading. See all his amazing work here .

Here Pau has visualized his work experience in an easy-to-understand way so that a recruiter can process the information faster. He’s also included the section “Expositions” which, in his case, is pretty important and tells a lot about his abilities. Visit his personal website to enjoy more of his work.

3 things about Jimmy’s resume impressed us – it’s short and concise, extremely well-designed and it emphasizes on the most important information – his title, skills and awards. Plus, it’s bursting with personality. See all of his work here .

Monica Gomes' resume pays tribute to classics

Maybe one of the most stylish resumes we’ve came upon. From its homages to the original macintosh and classic telephones to the classy self portrait, Monica shows her skills and passions with style. Combining her motivation and professional goals into the footer also leaves the reader with an excellent final impression. See her amazing work here .

Navdeep Raj's resume divides and conquers

Navdeep has done an amazing job visually breaking up the different sections in his creative resume . He begins with a simple, straight-forward line about who he is: “I love to design great looking, usable interfaces.”

The other thing we appreciated is that he highlights the fact that he has worked with top companies using a simple “Clients” section. We strongly encourage you to include that information, especially if you have worked for companies like Apple, Disney, MTV or SAP.

Last but not least the way Navdeep divided his skills so that they can be easier to process is very effective – “Practice Areas” and “Technologies”. You can check his work here .

Pam Bailey's resume tells a story

Pam is a professional storyteller whose resume does just what it should: tells her story. Hagan Blount has done a great job turning her resume into a real masterpiece.

Positioning her awards and professional achievements in the middle of her resume is a great idea, especially if you have some numbers and medals to show as she does. They tell the reader that you’re goal-oriented.

The other unique element here is the “Testimonials” section at the bottom.

Seth Adler's resume is tailor made for the job he wants

This is a great example of a performance-based resume by the same person who created Pam Bailey’s resume: Hagan Blount.

Again the content is based on results, not responsibilities, and the design highlights them well. The best part is that the resume is personalized for the VP of Sales position Seth is applying for. For that reason, he’s split his experience into three different categories – Business Development & Strategic Planning, Sales, and Marketing.

That way he stresses the fact that he has what it takes to succeed in that role. Personalizing your resume is one of the best things you could do to raise your chances of getting an interview.

Jonathan Fischer's resume is like nothing you've ever seen

Sometimes a resume just breaks the mold. Jonathan Wakuda Fischer’s is one such example. His resume takes the form of an identity booklet, old Russian style.

Everyone likes seeing absolutely unexpected things and if you read his resume carefully you will realise that Jonathan has gone far beyond the design of his resume and has created a real masterpiece.

Recruiters aren’t going to forget him. Check out his website here .

Victor Rodriguez is clearly being a bit cheeky with his “thinking inside the box” resume . You should never forget that the main goal of your resume is to make a great first impression to the person reading it, no matter whether it’s a word document, infographic, powerpoint presentation or a cereal box.

I can barely think of a better way to grab someone’s attention, especially if this pops up on your table! You can explore Viktor’s creative work here .

We have saved the dessert for last – Nick Begley is the bold man whose resume is a candy bar. When we said these were creative resume ideas, we weren’t kidding.

If you are in a creative industry you already know better as to whether or not sending a creative resume is the right way to go.

How about the rest of us, the non-designers who still want to stand out?

We have to take into consideration the public enemy #1 of creative resumes out there – the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, for short.

It’s a computer software that is designed to read simple text on resumes and match skills, experiences and keywords to the job description.

This is why it will have a hard time if you encode your key information into graphics and images.

With that being said, the above designers don’t have to pay attention to ATS at all.

They send resumes directly to employers. Which can be the case for many of us.

Small and medium-sized companies aren’t likely to use ATS, either.

Whereas even if you’re applying for a position in a big corporation, you can still incorporate a dash of creativity, as long as you maintain a professional tone.

Here’s a thought – you don’t have to make a cereal box resume to impress recruiters.

Frankly speaking, nobody is expecting you to be creative.

So, if you make a few adjustments here and there, it will come as an added bonus.

Use creative tactics, such as two-colour combinations, adjusted font size, easy-to-read font family, proper resume margin and skimmable layout. ( Enhancv’s resume builder takes care for the lot of it.)

Designers made their infographic resumes to highlight key information in a creative manner. You too can incorporate their tactics described above, albeit in a more down-to-earth way.

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39 Creative Resume Examples & Templates (Creative CV Ideas)

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A creative resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is one document you can’t skimp on. This is true for everyone, but especially for designers and other creative professionals.

When applying for a job, the first impression you create is strong and longest-lasting. The same is true when making contact with a new potential client. That first impression has to help you stand out from your competitors.

That first impression is usually made via an online application, your website, an email, or even through social media. Hopefully, you already have a strong portfolio website , either a personal portfolio or your freelance business site. And hopefully, your social media presence continues your personal or business brand look and feel. But what about your resume?

Most job applications ask applicants to attach a CV or a resume. And after initial, brief research on your website or social media accounts, a prospective client will often ask for a resume if they don’t find the information they need or if they need to present a list of freelancers to their boss.

As such, no matter if you’re searching for a job or trying to land new clients, your resume design could be what differentiates you from a competitor with similar skills and level of experience. The right kind of creative resume truly reflects your character and experience in an expressive way.

The following are some excellent creative resume and CV examples to help get ideas flowing for your own resume design. Notice that some tend to remain more straightforward and business-like with a hint of creativity thrown in. Some go over the top in the creative aspect. And others strike a nice balance between the two extremes.

Designers have discovered new methods to showcase their skills and attributes in a bold way with creative CVs and resumes. You can come up with a highly creative resume idea, design it and then showcase your skills and abilities to the whole world.

You’ll need to make a calculated decision on your own resume design. If your brand look and style of work is highly artistic, then, by all means, go all out. If, however, you’re applying for a job in a less creative field, you may want to tone down tons of graphics and colors and stick with a more corporate look that still creatively reflects your personal brand.

Best Creative Resume Examples

We’ve searched to find the most creative resumes available. These creative resume examples and creative CV examples are sure to provide plenty of inspiration. And best of all, if you see a template you like, you can purchase it to save hours of your time.

Creative Resume by Jahangir Alam Jisan

Jisan’s creative CV uses icons, color, and bold banners to add creativity to his resume design. Plus, the unusual layout helps the information to stand out nicely while still maintaining a professional and organized look.

My Resume by Soumitra Saxena

This is another creative resume design that shows off the designer’s humor as well as his wide range of skills. Even with the creative illustration and extra information, the graphic design is still clean and organized, which says a lot about his engineering side as well.

Curriculum Vitae by Anton Yermolov

Both clean and colorful, Yermolov’s CV design stands out with neat columns and colorful icons. His illustrated self-portrait is a nice alternative to a photo and ensures it will look nice even if a client uses their own poor-quality printer to print a copy.

CV – Take a Look Inside by Amber Van Mieghem

Both the format and the fold of this CV design is fantastically creative. Amber does an excellent job of creating intrigue and keeping attention by leading to the next page with the fold.

Shameless Self-Promotion by Kyle Robertson

A personal logo is always a safe way to add some originality to a professional resume that needs to remain more on the corporate side. Robertson doesn’t stop there, though. His beautiful choice of fonts also adds to the appeal of his creative resume design.

My Resume by darthkix

Fitting a lot of information onto a single page is one of the more difficult parts of a resume, but darthkix solves this problem quite beautifully. The silhouette graphic on the background is a brilliant way to break up his information neatly but uniquely.

Resume by Yojna Shetty

I love how this creative resume organizes so much content so neatly onto a single page. At first glance, it is almost overwhelming, but the lines and other graphics help to draw the eye from one section to the next quite easily. It should not take very long for the viewer to go through it so each section and detail should be connected to the next one and everything should be displayed in a rather expressive and creative manner.

Self-Promotion by Syril Bobadilla

The bright colors in this original resume by Bobadilla are stunningly balanced out by the excellent, clean layout of content. Plus, the custom fonts add a very nice, original touch to the entire design.

Curriculum_Vitae by Francisco Hidalgo

I highly urge you to visit Hidalgo’s Behance page to view his curriculum vitae in full effect, as the images above do not do his gorgeous illustration justice. You can build on this idea and design similar creative resumes that are more than just a professional resume. Not only does his design show off his illustration skills, it also keeps his information easy to read and digest in a memorable viewing experience. Beautiful!

Curriculum Vitae by Camila Soto

Handwritten fonts and illustrations are a stunning touch in this creative CV and infographic resume by Soto. I love how each section is divided into boxes. Different calligraphic fonts have been put to use, few items have been sketched and you get a colorful resume for your work.

Resume by Roberta Cicerone

I really love how this website resume could also double as a poster-like print resume design. Roberta does an excellent job of keeping a visitor scrolling with uniquely phrased section headers and dotted lines. Different geometrical figures and calligraphic fonts have been displayed in quite a skeptical and playful way. Her illustrations and custom fonts are stunning!

Matthew Jhon Creative Resume Template

This modern template is perfect for a graphic designer or creative professional who wants a resume that makes a strong first impression on a hiring manager. You’ll have a place for your work experience highlights, as well as your education, skills, and contact info. The header and footer feature a stylish design. It comes as a Microsoft Word file (DOCX) and as a PDF.

This is one of the most creative and unique resume or CV templates you’ll find. It’s colorful and also includes a small illustration, as well as some shapes and icons. It comes in Ai, EPS, and PSD formats.

Alex Buell Template

If you want a resume or CV that stands out, this template is an excellent choice. It features a little bit of color and some subtle but stylish design elements to impress viewers. You can use the template in Word, Illustrator, or Photoshop. It comes in PDF and EPS format.

Colorful Resume Template

Who says resumes have to be boring? This template uses a lot of color, especially in the header, to really stand out. It comes in vector format (Ai and EPS file formats) and includes a template for a cover letter.

Charles Midleton Template

Here is another bright, colorful curriculum vitae template 100% guaranteed to stand out. It can be edited in Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator to quickly and easily create a beautiful resume. Shapes and colors make this design unique, but it also includes all the details needed to be effective.

Anthony Arlo

This colorful template features a large header with a photo and shapes that make a nice background for your bio and contact info. It also displays your relevant experience and skills attractively. Edit the template in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word.

Lester Chandler

This package includes a two-page creative CV template and a cover letter template. This design features bold black & white, large photos, and a clean design. It’s perfect for creative professionals who want a great-looking resume showcasing their abilities.

Modern CV Resume Template

This template features a stylish design and a big header with a place for your photo. The skills section uses a creative way to display your most essential skills and your level of expertise. It also includes a nice cover letter template.

Darryl Philbin

This creative resume template and CV template is also professional. It’s exceptionally well designed with a lot of style to ensure you stand out. There’s a spot for a photo in the header, and the download even comes with a photo filter, so your photo will match the style shown in the preview above.

Mono Resume

We’ve looked at some examples of colorful resumes, but this one takes a different approach with a monochromatic color scheme. It’s perfect for creative professionals because the header is innovative and interesting, allowing you to enter a photo. It’s also got plenty of room for all the important details about your experience and accomplishments.

Alan Querin

Here is another black & white design that definitely stands out from the typical resume template or CV template. It uses typography and some well-designed content blocks to create a truly professional resume.

If you want a resume or CV that will stand out without taking extreme measures regarding an unusual design, this one is a good option. It uses color and some nice design elements, but still has a clean look and feel. It comes in PSD, Ai, and EPS formats.

Steven Gerard

This unique design includes a full-page photo with a greeting and a second page with a full resume or CV with a photo header. The full-page photo could be skipped if you want the simple one-page option. It’s a well-designed and colorful template that you’ll love.

Mauro Haskey Template

This template uses a beautiful design and layout that features a small photo and a brief profile in the sidebar. It includes all the necessary details like contact info, work experience, and education. The skills section at the bottom uses star ratings to display strengths in different areas creatively.

Juandha Whitney

This clean and elegant template makes creating a curriculum vitae with a professional look easy. You’ll be able to show off your strongest skills, education, and work experience.

Claire Ridley

Here is another very clean and professional CV template with a nice design. The header includes room for a photo and a brief bio before getting into the details of your experience and background.

Henry Silly Template

Present your qualifications in a clean and professional way with the help of this creative resume template. It comes in Illustrator format with five different color variations that you can choose from, and of course, you can also edit the colors if you’d like.

Pink Resume Template

Now, here is one that’s sure to be unique! The design uses a pink background, probably unlike any resume you’ve ever seen. It also includes all of the usual details, so it’s functional too.

This template uses some splashes of color for a creative CV design. It includes space for a headshot, a skills section that utilizes star ratings, and an additional template for a cover letter. The download includes the designs in Ai and EPS formats.

Two-Page Modern Resume Template

This unique resume template is not only creative in terms of design and style, but it’s also one of the few two-page templates you’ll see in this showcase. The first page includes details about you and your skills, and the second page is focused on work experience and education. The templates come in Word and InDesign formats.

Indah Kusuma

This CV template uses a colorful header with a photo. The rest of the design is fairly clean and simple. You’ll also get matching cover letter templates. The files can be edited in Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator.

The Peachy CV Resume Template

The Peachy template makes use of icons and content blocks to display your experience and qualifications in an attractive way. The header includes a spot for a small photo along with your name and contact info. This template is ideal for highlighting a few past jobs or specific experiences that you’ve gained.

Taylor Sheeran Template

This stylish design stands out from the typical resume template without being too unconventional. The dark header and footer add contrast and visual interest. The header includes space for a small photo. It also comes with a template for a matching cover letter, which is sure to come in handy.

Carol Holmes

This modern resume template’s layout is pretty unique and will make you stand out from other job applicants. It also comes with a cover letter template and can be edited easily in Microsoft Word.

Jim Halpert

Although it’s a fairly simple design, this CV is definitely unique. It makes excellent use of typography and gives you a solid template that could be used in many different industries.

Anthony Silver

With the help of this template, you can get a very professional CV in no time. There’s a sport for your photo in the head, and the resume layout is beautifully designed to show off your experience and skills. It is provided in InDesign file format.

Web Designer Resume Template

This template is a fun way for web designers to present their professional resume or CV. It includes a spot for a QR code at the top, which is a cool touch. Of course, there’s also a section to show off your experience, and the skills section at the bottom presents a way to display your specific skills visually.

Walter Smith

With this template, you can pack plenty of detail into your resume or CV without a cluttered look. You’ll have a place for your work experience, education, skills, contact info, references, and a brief profile and photo. It comes in four different color variations.

You Only Have a Few Seconds… A Creative Resume Will Help

Your creative resume can make a strong first impression on a potential employer or recruiter. How creative is your resume or CV design? Are you confident yours will stand out from the rest of the pile? If not, then you may want to use one of the creative resume examples above (or use a resume builder) to model your own design, but don’t forget to consider your audience. And have fun with it so that your creative passion shines through loud and clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

A creative CV or resume will show off your skills or experience in a way that sounds out from most text-based resumes during a job search. It may include color or a more unique visual design. If you’re in a creative industries, like designers, taking this approach as a job seeker may help you to get an interview.

The easiest way is to use one of the many templates showcased on this page. In just a few minutes, you can have a beautiful resume or CV that you can be proud of. Check the creative CV ideas in this article to find one you like.

If you’re in a creative industry, taking a more original approach to your resume can be effective and may help you to land your dream job. However, in other industries you may be better off with a more traditional resume.

It really depends on the person who is receiving and reviewing the resumes. Look at it this way, many job openings receive at least 100 resumes. The creative approach is sure to makes your stand out and be noticed. Will it help every time? No. But getting noticed is an important step if you want to get an interview, especially in a creative profession.

Tara Hornor enjoys writing about advertising, marketing, branding, web and graphic design, and more. As Senior Editor for Creative Content Experts, she has over 2,000 published articles on the web. Connect with @TaraHornor for more design and freelancing advice.

How to Write The Perfect Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

The ultimate guide to learn how to quickly create a resume utilizing best practices to help you land your next job.

Introduction to writing a resume

We’ve all been there. You’re ready to apply for a new job or looking for a career change, and you haven’t updated your resume in quite some time. Or it’s your first job, and you’re not sure where to start. Resumes are a standard part of the job application process. Not having one - a good one - makes it very difficult to near impossible to land your dream job.

Unless you have some incredible connections that can help you bypass the interview stage, which is pretty rare, we highly recommend you give your resume a second look (or first!).

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Why do you need a good resume?

Your resume is a way for you to market yourself and promote your career experience. Creating a resume lets hiring managers see how you'll bring value to their company.

It's important to know that your resume doesn't need to present all there is to know about you. It should summarize the most important aspects of your professional experience. As well as your education, interests and activities - when applicable. We recommend you tailor your resume to the position you're seeking. This means highlighting specific accomplishments and skills to the job you're applying for.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the following sections to help you craft the perfect resume:

• Understanding the basics of creating a resume
• Breaking down the resume layout and formats
• Maximizing information on your resume to provide the most value

What tools should you use to build your resume?

Tip: Use an online resume builder . Don't use Microsoft Word. Always use an online resume builder. You'll never have to worry about finding files and you can export your resume as a PDF.

So you’re ready to get started on your resume. The most obvious of choices is to open up Microsoft Word, create a new document and get writing. If you haven’t already done this before, formatting in Microsoft Word is a painful experience.

You'll end up with an ugly resume template that has poor legibility and incorrect margins. Or due to the lack of design options, you’ll end up with a resume that looks standard and boring. In both cases, the chances of potential employers overlooking your resume are pretty high!

Crazy isn’t it? You've spent years building job experience but have to use Microsoft Word to tell that story. And if you can’t navigate around complicated tools, it'll lead to poor results. You might miss the opportunity to land your dream job. That doesn’t sound fair, and it isn’t.

Why should you use a resume builder?

Luckily, there are other options that exist. We’ve created the fastest and easiest resume builder available online. With a variety of pre-existing templates that are professional and field-tested. And there’s no messing around with font sizes, margins or colors. We’ve taken care of all that for you.

The benefits of using an online resume builder like the one we’ve created are much higher. Here are some of the top reasons to use a resume builder:

• Hosting your resume online (in the cloud)
• This means you can access your resume at any time and anywhere. Your resume will always be available through our website. You'll never worry about having the right computer programs installed. Or finding files on a messy desktop.
• Creating unlimited resumes at no cost
• We manage it for you and make finding your resumes super easy, so you never have to worry about things getting lost. Go ahead and create unlimited versions of your resumes!
• High-quality resume designs
• This is where we specialize. Our design team has tested the exact elements required for perfecting resume templates. We sweat the details so you never have to. We’ve spent countless hours choosing the most appropriate font and color combinations. Including ones that pass the stress tests of relentless Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

The other benefits of using Easy Resume’s online resume builder are:

• Download your resume as a PDF. We recommend this file format so your resume always looks consistent.
• Share a direct link to your resume. We’ll even host it for you at no cost.
• Get exclusive access to guides, tutorials, and tips from career and industry professionals.

Understanding the 3 types of resume formats

Let’s break down the different types of resumes that employers generally look for.

• Reverse Chronological
• Combination

Tip: When in doubt, use a reverse chronological resume format. - About 95% of resumes use the reverse chronological format. Hiring managers are used to this as it lets employers see how your career has progressed.

1. Reverse Chronological Format

The most common is the Reverse Chronological format. It’s the most used and formatted to tell the story of your work experience in a chronological way. Employers prefer this format, as it gives them a historical overview of your career. Including the different job titles and responsibilities that you’ve had.

When should you use a reverse chronological resume template?

• You have had a lot of prior work experience. This means either the number of jobs or the amount of work experience you’ve had.
• You want to show how your career has progressed. For example, if you started as an associate and worked your way up to a senior-level position. The reverse-chronological format is a great way of showing your progression.

What if you have gaps between your work experience?

This is a very common question that we often receive. It’s usually in the form of:

“I’ve been out of work for 6-7 years after a certain life situation (i.e. having kids). The last job I had was in 2012, but recently I'm starting to apply for jobs again in 2019. What’s the right resume format for someone like me?”

First of all, no worries. This is a very common situation and happens with many people. As a hiring manager, having a gap like this can lead to questions and uncertainty about your resume. Which is why we recommend that you use a combination format.

2. Functional Format

The second type of resume format is the Functional or Skills-Based resume. This can be common for students and recent graduates starting to apply for their first job.

When should you use a functional / skills-based resume template?

• You’re a student or recent graduate applying for jobs for the first time with no prior work experience.
• You’re looking to make a career change.

Reasons why this is common for students and recent grads is due to their lack of prior experience. Given the fact that they’re starting to enter the workforce and apply for their first job. It’s well understood amongst employers that students won’t have a huge depth of work experience. There are other ways to let them know what you can help bring to the role you’re applying for by showcase the list of skills that you excel at.

It usually depends on the role you’re applying for. But there are some common ones that you can try to focus on like: Communication, Organization, Customer Driven, Effective Listener, Teamwork, etc.

What else can you add to your resume besides skills?

We recommend adding some extra activities for your career. Even if you haven’t attained any professional work experience yet. The few ways you can do that as a student is:

• Find internships
• Help volunteer at student-led or non-profit organizations
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Take on side-projects

Not only will you have more examples of experience to show on your resume. You can show employers how much initiative and leadership you’ve performed on your own. This helps you stand out much better than a candidate who only lists generic skills.

For example, instead of only listing skills like:

• Communication
• Collaborative

An employer might prefer to move forward with a resume that looks like this:

• Summer Intern at XYZ
• Volunteered for non-profit at XYZ
• Ran student organization for XYZ

What if you’re unable to get any kind of experience?

Fear not, your chances towards landing your first job can still be within grasp. We recommend taking an approach that explains the skills you’ve acquired. And how you’ve applied them in real-world settings.

Here’s an example of adding depth to your skill sets:

• Demonstrated effective teamwork and leadership in various class projects by taking the initiative to organize group’s goals, objectives, and tasks.
• Received consistent praise and admiration from course professors and team members as being highly collaborative, an effective communicator and group leader with clear presentation skills and abilities.
• Organization
• Meticulous about even the smallest of details. Always taking the extra effort towards making sure that filenames, folder hierarchy and labeling are descriptive, versioned, tagged and easily discoverable.
• Received constant praise from past and present team members who were able to jump into any collaborative project and accurately trace back previous versions to see how decisions were made.

Do you see how this can be more effective than listing out a set of skills? Taking this approach will let employers know that you’re not only listing skills. But have also demonstrated how you were able to apply these skills and put them into action.

3. Combination Format

The final type of resume that we mentioned earlier is the Combination or Hybrid format. This combines concepts from both reverse chronological and functional/skills-based formats.

We recommend this format for jobs that expect relevant experience and technical skills. An example might be a Graphic Designer who has experience working in design agencies. As well as necessary skills like Branding, Sketching, Illustration, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Take a look at our in-depth guide on how to select the right resume format .

Choosing the best resume template

Now that we know which software to use and the most common resume formats, let’s break down the actual template. This is the make-or-break deal. Picking the right resume template can be the deciding factor if a hiring manager gives you a call. Or if they skip past your resume and never bother to read it.

Our mission here at Easy Resume is to make sure that never happens to you! We’re working hard to make sure your resume is high quality and presented in a way that will impress recruiters.

When speaking with hiring managers, we found that 78% of the time they skip your resume is because of the design. Again, we don’t think that’s fair.

Here’s a checklist to use for your resume

We always use this checklist whenever creating any new resume template.

Use a clear heading structure

Incorrect : Don’t make all headings and body copy the same size.

Correct: Do use typographic hierarchy by using varying heading sizes and font weights.

Use legible, friendly and professional font combinations

Incorrect : Don’t use quirky and eccentric fonts like comic sans or papyrus.

Correct : Do use professional fonts that are easy to read and familiar. Fonts like Georgia, Helvetica, Calibri, and Cambia.

Use an ample amount of spacing

Incorrect : Don’t go overboard with spacing. Using a lot of white-space might spark joy, but not when your resume becomes three pages long because of it.

Correct: Do keep your margins tight but spaced even enough that your text isn’t hugging the borders of the page.

Incorrect : Don’t try to write your entire life story with every single job responsibility you’ve ever had. Recruiters on average spend about 7-8 seconds skimming through resumes. If it's two pages, the chances of them not spending even more than 2-3 seconds reading the second page is pretty low.

Correct: Do keep your information brief, relevant, and clear. If you REALLY need another page, make sure it’s valuable information. Otherwise, choose the right template that can fit the most words on a single page.

Use bullet points

Incorrect : Don’t write very long paragraphs about your work experience. Remember, your resume is a summary and a brief overview of your career. Your resume is not an autobiography of everything you’ve ever done.

Correct: Do use 3-4 bullet points to briefly describe your responsibilities. Feel free to add more bullet points if you have worked at only one or two jobs to fill up some more space.

Overview for writing a resume

Whew, that was a lot of information. Let's quickly summarize what we've learned.

1) Always use an online resume builder, instead of Microsoft Word

• It’s always better to use an online tool instead of Microsoft Word.
• Creating a resume template on Easy Resume will allow you to access your resume at any time. And access to unlimited resumes and a great selection of professional design templates.

2) There are 3 types of resume formats

• Reverse Chronological -This is the most common. Use it if you have a lot of work experience and want to show your career progression over the years. ‍
• Functional - If you lack work experience, use this format to emphasize your skill set. It’s great for students or recent graduates entering the workforce for the first time. ‍
• Combination - If you have a lot of experience and a diverse skill set that is relevant to your job, use this advanced technique. For example, a web developer who has worked at a few technology startups. And has programming skills in languages like Python, PHP, and Javascript.

3) Follow our resume design guidelines

• Utilize clear heading hierarchy, don’t make all fonts the same size. This will help your resume be easy to parse. Remember, recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning your resume. Highlight the most important sections! ‍
• Use legible fonts that are easy to read . Using professional fonts will make your resume more legible. Choose from fonts like Georgia, Calibri, Garamond, Arial, Helvetica, Cambria, Times New Roman, Verdana, Trebuchet, Gill Sans, and Tahoma
• ‍ Use white-space conservatively . If you rely too much on white-space, you might end up with a 2-3 page resume. Keep your margins tight but spaced evenly to make it easy on the eyes for the reader. ‍
• Use 1 page . As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds. They might look at hundreds of resumes and applications every week. The chances of them reading every single page from top to bottom is pretty slim. ‍
• Use limited amount of color depending on your industry. Hiring managers need to notice the right parts of your resume. Using the right amount of color on your resume can help. ‍
• se bullet points . As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds. They might look at hundreds of resumes and applications every week. The chances of them reading every single page from top to bottom is pretty slim.

Resume sections and details

Let’s take a closer look at the resume itself now. Resumes are typically broken down into the common sections:

Common sections to add on your resume

Resumes tend to have some common sections that employers are used to seeing. Here's a list of what's generally expected as best practice:

• Heading / Name
• Additional Contact Info
• Your Objective
• Your Education
• York Work Experiences
• Your Skills

Of course not all people are alike. There’s no one-size-fits-all model for resumes. Depending on your job, you might want to include more unique sections. Remember any information you include on your resume should have valuable insight into your experience. Employers want to know why you would be a great hire.

Other sections to include on your resume

If you don't have enough information for the sections described above, you can try to add some of these sections below. Keep in mind that you should only add it if it's relevant to the position you're applying for.

• Volunteering
• Achievements
• Organizations
• Certificates
• Publications

As you can see, there are many sections to add depth to your resume. So don’t be alarmed if you’re lacking skills or experiences, there are other ways to let employers learn of your potential.

Tip: Only add information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. As a best practice, always remember that the most valuable details is the information that recruiters are specifically looking for in the job description that you’re applying to.

Let’s break down each of these sections and how to add the most value to them.

Adding contact information

Information about yourself is a critical element for your resume. It provides a brief description of who you are, where you're based and how to get in touch with you.

The most necessary contact information to add on your resume

There are quite a few ways to add your contact details, but here's what's most necessary.

• Your First & Last Name . You may use a preferred name if that's what you'd rather go by. So for example, someone named "Robert" might prefer to go by a nickname like "Bob". You may also optionally include your middle name or initial. ‍
• Your Email Address. Your email address is necessary if employers want to be able to reach you. Email is generally the most common way that recruiters use to get in contact with applicants.

Always use a professional email address.

Incorrect : Don't use an email address that sounds like you're still in grade school. Something like [email protected] will not look professional on your resume.

Correct : If you don't already have one, create a professional email address with your name on a service like Gmail. An email like [email protected] sounds much more professional.

• Your Phone Number. Adding a phone number will let recruiters know that they can also reach you via phone call if that proves to be more convenient for them. If possible, use your work or cellphone number instead of your home number. ‍
• Your Location. Adding your location lets employers know that you'll be able to physically make it to work. It's preferred that you list your city and state. Some people like to add their full mailing address. However, based on our research, we learned that it's not always important to add in your entire street address.

Let employers know where you're based, not your exact address.

Incorrect : Don't list your entire mailing address like 305 Main St, Apt#25. It's not always necessary. If an employer needs to know your mailing address, ask them and only provide if required.

Correct : You can simply list your city state and sometimes zip code, for example: New York, NY 10010. This will let employers know that you live and work in this geographic location. If you need a work visa or are looking to relocate, be sure to call that out.

Secondary contact information to add on your resume

• Your Website or Blog. If you have a website or a blog, feel free to add it on your resume. Having a website can add to the professionalism of your experience.

Unnecessary contact information for your resume

• Your Photo or Headshot. Adding a photo to your resume is a bit of a controversial topic. While it's not always recommended, and most ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) will ignore it - some countries like South Korea may prefer it. However, in most cases, it's not necessary. ‍
• Your Date of Birth. To avoid any kind of age-based discrimination, it's best to leave your birthday out of your resume.

Adding social media profiles

If you have accounts on social networks, you might want to include them depending on how relevant it is. This will let employers know that you're active and knowledgeable about commonly used platforms online.

• Linkedin is the most popular platform for networking amongst professionals. We recommend that you create a Linkedin profile if you don't already have one.
• If you use Twitter for professional reasons, adding your Twitter handle can be a good way to show off your personality and interests for topics that you like to talk about. However, if you use it purely for personal reasons, you shouldn't add it.

Tip: Only add social media profiles if they showcase your professional experience. Normally, you shouldn't add your personal social media profiles on your resume. Unless you're using social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest to demonstrate your expertise and interests, there's no reason to include them on your resume. For example, if you're a web developer, you might want to include your Github or if you're a designer, you can include a link to your Behance portfolio.

Writing the perfect resume objective

Your resume summary or objective gives employers a very brief overview of your goal and what kind of position you're looking for. It should always be at the very top of the resume. Usually placed directly below your name and contact information. It's always important to leave a great first impression. Remember, hiring managers are spending only 6 seconds scanning your resume.

Here are the key pieces of information that your resume objective should include:

• Your Job Title = e.g. Server
• Your Experience (in years) = e.g. 10+ Years
• Your Achievements = e.g. Managed parties and events upwards of 250+ guests and maintained customer satisfaction rate above 98%
• Your Desired Goal = e.g. Looking for new opportunities to bring expertise to fine-dining establishments
• Your Desired Goal (Personalized) = e.g. Looking to gain new skills and further develop fine-dining expertise at an upscale establishment like Janes Riverside Restaurant

Personalizing your resume objective to the specific company you're applying for can be a great way to make a first impression. We highly recommend tailoring each resume objective to the specific job and company you're applying to.

Follow these tips to write a great resume objective

This checklist will help summarize your experience into a resume objective that leaves a good first impression.

Avoid writing your resume objective in first person.

Incorrect : I am a server and have lots of experience working in various restaurants. I love working with customers.

Correct : Dynamic and engaged server with over 10+ years of experience who loves to provide warm and friendly customer service.

Quantify your achievements.

Incorrect : I worked many catering events and parties, and provided good customer service.

Correct :  Managed parties and events upwards of 250+ guests and maintained customer satisfaction rate above 98%.

Be clear about your desired goal.

Incorrect : I'm looking for a new job to get better at managing people and stores.

Correct : Looking for new opportunities to further develop hospitality and personnel management experience at fine-dining restaurants.

Putting all this together, a bad example of a resume objective might be the following:

Bad example of a Registered Nurse's objective

I am an experienced registered nurse, that has worked at large hospitals with experience taking care of patients and providing medical expertise. I'm looking for a position to help grow my nursing career.

Let's turn that into a better example of a resume objective, based on our guidelines:

Good example of a Registered Nurse's objective

Experienced and veteran RN with 12+ years of experience taking care of patient health. Skilled in providing high quality patient care in ER situations under intense pressure. Hired and trained a staff of 27 nurses and nurse assistants. Looking for a new role to bring empathetic care to the patients at Lincoln Hospital.

Take a look at our guide on how to write a killer resume summary or resume objective to learn more.

Summarizing your job experience

Your resume experience section is the most important aspect of your entire resume. It's a summary of your career experience and progression that outlines your responsibilities and achievements.

This is the section that you'll most likely spend most of your time on. It's good practice to make sure you consistently jot down any new experiences you've had, even if you're not looking for a job.

For example, if you recently landed a $200,000 deal by bringing on a new client at your firm, write that down somewhere you can remember. Over time, you'll have dozens of bullet points you can copy over to your resume when you are ready for a new job.

Here's a simple example of work experience

Server, red lobster.

November 2018 - Present • New York, NY

• Greeted incoming guests and directed them to comfortable seating.
• Memorized and informed guests of daily menu specials.
• Made recommendations about food and beverages as well as other services provided by the restaurant.
• Provided exceptional and friendly customer service by taking food and beverage orders and entering them in our PoS system.
• Job Title = e.g. Server
• Company Name = e.g. Red Lobster
• Start & End Dates = e.g. November 2018 - Present
• Location = e.g. New York, NY
• Responsibilities & Tasks = e.g. Made recommendations and answered questions about our food, beverages and other restaurant functions and services.

This is a simple example, but it can be improved by adding more detail.

Follow these guidelines to really maximize your career experience

These principles will make your resume look more professional, relevant and attractive to hiring managers. This is where most job-seekers have the toughest time when writing their resume.

We highly recommend emphasizing your experience section with these guidelines:

• Focus on achievements and outcomes. Instead of just writing about all of the tasks you did. Try your best to quantify some of the most key and impactful achievements you've made at the company. Using actionable verbs can help. ‍
• Use keywords from the job description. If you're applying to multiple jobs, make sure you tailor each resume to the job description . A great way to tailor your resume is to use keywords from the job description itself. Not only will this feel more relevant to recruiters, but it significantly increases the chances of your resume passing an ATS which scans for common keywords. ‍
• List only key responsibilities. Your experience section isn't meant to be a huge list of every single task you've ever done. Try to narrow your responsibilities to the ones that most relevant ones.

Here's a better example of work experience

• Implemented Happy Hour pre-dinner special that drove an extra $7,500 in weekly revenue.
• Trained and onboarded 6 servers to help increase waitstaff.
• Promoted to Team Lead after receiving exceptional feedback from repeat customers.
• Made food recommendations to customers that helped increase ordering by up to 15% for select items.

Adding skills to your resume

Showcasing skills on your resume lets employers understand the variety of your strengths. While skill sets can vary, the best approach is to use keywords from the job description to show how your skills are relevant.

In general, there are two types of skills you should consider adding to your resume.

• Soft or Transferable Skills
• Hard or Technical Skills

What are soft skills?

Soft skills (sometimes known as "transferable skills") are self-developed skills that will be valuable to employers to many different types of jobs. Some examples of these include communication, teamwork, organization and leadership. Listing soft skills is recommended if you're thinking about a career change where your skills would serve both industries.

For example, there might be a job that requires candidates to be very strong in teamwork skills. If you’ve worked in team settings, and enjoy collaborating with other group members, this is a skill that you might want to call out.

Here's a list of common soft skills:

• Taking Initiative
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Presentation
• Facilitation

What are hard skills?

Hard skills (also known as "technical skills") are specific skills that are learned to perform a certain task or master a craft. These skills are often completed during your job, and sometimes require specific education or training to learn and master. For example, some technical skills can include computers or hardware for jobs like a Web Developer or an IT person.

Adding technical skills to your resume will let employers know how you can solve different challenges using these skills you've acquired. We recommend using your career experience, as described above, to show real examples of how you applied your hard skills at your job. Make sure to keep them relevant to the job you're applying for.

Here's a list of hard skills for specific roles:

Web Developer

• Ruby on Rails
• HTML & CSS
• Cross Browser Testing

Graphic Designer

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Wireframing

Data Analyst

• Database Management
• Google Analytics
• Microsoft Excel

We have come up with a list of over 100 skills that you can include on your resume .

Listing your education

The education section of your resume is an important call-out for showing your school experience and the degree(s) you've received. It's important that the education section of your resume is relevant to fit the position you're applying for.

Here's an example of the information you should add for your education.

• School / University Name = e.g. Harvard University
• Degree & Major = e.g. B.F.A in Arts & Literature
• Minor = e.g. Minor in Spanish
• Years Attended = e.g. Fall 2004 to Spring 2008
• GPA ( optional ) = e.g. 3.8/4.0 GPA
• Honors ( optional ) = e.g. Magna Cum Laude

The most important information to include is your degree (multiple if you have more than one), the schools you attended and during which dates. If relevant, providing more specific pieces of information like your major and minor can also help.

Tip: Always be truthful on your resume. It's not worth lying on your resume. Employers will quickly find out whether you're telling the truth or lying during an interview if they ask specific questions that you are unable to answer. Same goes for your Education. Employers can request a transcript to verify that your school information is correct.

You'll notice we also added GPA and Honors as optional. For GPA, it's not necessary nor required, and should be generally avoided unless you have a high GPA (greater than 3.8). Adding honors and achievements is also likely to be ignored by recruiters. Only add it if you have plenty of extra space on your resume. Otherwise save that space for more important and relevant information.

Additional sections for your resume

Now that we've learned about the most important sections to add on your resume, let's explore some other ways to demonstrate your full potential to future employers.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all model. Every person, every situation and every job is different. Your resume should be tailored based on a variety of these circumstances.

Here are some sections you can include on your resume:

Keep in mind, that you should only add these sections if 1) you have extra space or 2) it's very relevant to the job you're applying for.

• Hobbies & Interests. This is a great way to show off your individual personality. Employers often care about maintaining company culture. Showcasing your different hobbies and interests can be a great way for them to get to know you, before even meeting you! Our advice on how to include hobbies on your resumes will be helpful.
• Languages. Do you speak multiple languages? This is a skill that can become useful, even if it isn't required for the job. When listing languages, you may also write a proficiency level (native, fluent, basic) to show how skilled you are at communicating in that language. ‍
• Volunteering Experience. If you spend time volunteering at different organizations, this can demonstrate to future employers that you're mission-driven and passionate about solving problems for others. If you're a student, acquiring volunteer experience can be a great way to substitute (with real impact!) for any lack of work experience. ‍
• Certifications & Awards. Have you received any certifications and awards that celebrates achievements you've made in your career? If it's relevant to the job you're applying to, then this could be a great way to level up your expertise and skills. Take a look at our guide on including achievements and awards on your resume as well as including certifications on your resumes.

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Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

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30+ Creative Resume Templates for 2024 [Grab One Now!]

Want your resume to stand out in a pile of 1,000+ applications?

Then you need a creative resume template!

Here’s the thing - most resumes look alike. They’re all black and white, with a standard layout, and very generic content.

Do you want to impress the recruiter with your creativity and ingenuity, or do you want to just blend in with everyone else?

We’re thinking you want to go with option #1.

So, in this guide, we’re going to cover 30+ of the most creative resume templates we’ve seen on the web.

30+ Creative Resume Templates

The 3 ways you can go about using these 30+ creative resume templates are:

• You can use an online resume builder with ready-to-go templates.
• You can fire up MS word and use a Word template .
• Or, you could use a Google Doc resume template that you can edit online.

We’re going to include both free and paid templates, so you get to pick whichever suits your needs.

Here are 30+ creative resume templates you can start using now.

Creative Resume Template by Novorésumé

Price: Free

As an example, let’s say you work in marketing (or any other creative field).

If that’s the case, then you probably have natural talents for design and understanding what makes a person buy a product.

Think of your resume as the product here.

You can also apply this knowledge and skills to create your own resume and make it stand out from other candidates.

This resume template does just that. You can use it as inspiration, or you could also choose and customize according to your needs and job role.

From the colors to the layout, our creative resume template can help you land your dream job in the industry and kickstart your career.

Modern Resume Template by Novorésumé

Need something more modern, that’s both professional as well as flexible?

You can follow our modern resume template to stand out from the crowd in just about any industry.

That’s what’s so good about it - it has pretty much every resume section you’re going to need, and it’s easy to follow as well.

With a clean and modern aesthetic, this resume is a great way to quickly sum up your qualifications and stand out from other resumes with its great design.

Though the focus of this template is on the work experience , you can always customize it to your liking within a matter of minutes.

Functional Resume Template by Novorésumé 

This functional resume template is super simple and works for creative entry-level and senior position jobs alike.

There’s plenty of space for work experience , organizations , honors and awards , and more.

So, you can focus on either of the sections, depending on where you’re at at this stage in your career. 

And with the vibrant colors and a clear layout , you can’t go wrong with this template.

College Resume Template by Novorésumé 

Are you in college or a recent graduate with not a whole lot of work experience?

You can use this college resume template to show off your resume objective , skills, and experience (if you have any).

If you don’t have a lot of work experience though, you can also use the template to prioritize other sections.

The resume is extremely easy to follow, while staying under 1 page, and is an updated version of the 21st-century college resume template.

It’s simple and straightforward.

• Don’t have a lot of experience and need help writing your first resume? Check out our guide on how to make a resume with no experience .

Basic Resume Template by Novorésumé

This basic resume template is very easy to personalize and you can make it truly yours in just under 10 minutes.

If you want something that’s professional , yet also creative , you can’t go wrong with this one.

It has a very straightforward approach and a color scheme design that stands out from other candidates.

And the best thing is, it’s 100% customizable to your liking.

Executive Resume Template by Novorésumé

Do you have a lot of experience as well as technical skills you want to show off without your resume becoming cramped?

This executive resume template might be more up your alley.

It has a contemporary approach with plenty of sections for your work chops, as well as an eye-catching design that will make sure your resume is spotted first.

Just because it’s for a higher-up position, doesn’t mean the design should be boring.

Professional & Modern Resume Template by Hired Design Studio

Where to Get It: Behance

This modern resume template is great for creatives of all levels.

If needed, you can also go onto the 2nd page , and it even comes with a sample cover letter .

The soft colors are a nice change from other traditional resume colors and it’s incredibly easy to follow along with too.

If needed, the resume ALSO comes with a free icon pack of 100+ extra icons and a detailed user guide.

Creatives can go wild with this as it has pretty much everything you’ll need.

All you have to do is fill in the outline .

Intern Resume by Design Studio Teti

Price: $5.50

Where to Get It: Etsy

You’ll save time with this intern resume template and make sure your resume is unique.

If you’re looking to land the internship of your dreams, this resume can help you showcase your skills and accomplishments in the best way possible.

It’s easy to edit in Google Docs and comes with a cover letter template , as well as some extra resume writing tips and tricks.

And since it’s 100% editable, you can switch up any section , color , or even the font of the resume to match your vision.

PS - need more help with constructing an internship resume? Read more on our internship resume examples + writing guide .

Creative Resume Template for Word by Resume Studio Group

Where to Get It: Etsy 

This creative resume template for Word is a modern take on the one-page resume format.

It’s super functional as well as presentable. 

If needed, the template also comes with an easy-to-edit 2-page template , a cover letter , and as a cherry on top - a free interview preparation workbook .

It has just about every section you’d need too. 

Modern Resume Template by MoreProfesh

Price: $18.00

This modern resume template makes sure your name stays on the recruiter’s mind and your resume on top of their stack.

The design legwork is already done for you - it’s fun, memorable, and has just the right amount of quirky.

Professional Minimalistic Resume Template by Ease Design Studio

Price: $2.40

Sometimes, good old minimalism is what it takes to stand out.

If people in your industry tend to use fancier resumes with a lot of colors, a minimalistic resume could be what you need to stand out.

And that’s the case with this professional minimalistic resume template.

The clear structure guarantees to stand out from other candidates and the resume also comes with a guide on how to write a strong resume and a catchy cover letter .

You can edit pretty much the whole template (from the text to the colors and the font), and if needed, it also comes with its own icon pack.

So, if the design catches your eye, the template has pretty much everything else you’ll need.

One Page Resume With Photo by GetLanded

Price: $15.21

Want to beat the competition?

Get ahead with this photo resume template!

If the price tag seems expensive, know that this template also comes with detailed instructions , a FAQ file, and a guide on more resume tips and tricks.

As for the actual resume layout , the primary focus is on work experience, and if needed, you can continue onto the second page.

If you have the experience, this resume has the design.

All you have to do is fill in the blanks.

PS - wondering if you should include a photo in your resume? It might depend a lot on your location. Check out our full guide on including a photo on a resume for more info.

Clean and Simple Resume Template by ZokiDesign

Where to Get It: ZokiDesign

Clean and simple resume template with a minimalistic aesthetic, easy to format, and a layout that covers a lot of sections.

You can show off your work experience , background , education , skills , and even your hobbies .

There’s plenty to do here.

You can change the color scheme too, and with its format and layout - it’s ideal for almost all creative roles.

Clean Resume/CV + Cover Letter Combo by Tamzid Hasan

This clean resume/CV cover letter template is both professional AND creative!

It follows a clean color scheme and a layout that mainly focuses on work experience.

Other then that, it also comes with:

• Microsoft Word (Docx) files.
• CV/Resume + Cover letter and references.
• 1 and 2 page version.
• Paragraph styles and free fonts.

Not too bad, right?

If you have plenty of work experience (5+ years), you can easily continue onto the 2nd page with this template and it’ll STILL look good.

Professional Personal Brand Resume by Mukhlasur Rahman 

Price: $8.86

Have a bright personality and want to express within your resume?

You can now do so with this professional personal brand resume template.

As long as you work within the creative industry, you can get away with having a resume that shines personality.

The Word template follows a consistent color scheme and a layout designed specifically for being loud.

It’s professional, beautiful, and most importantly - unique .

If needed, you can customize just about every detail of the resume.

But even when left as it is, it’s still going to stand out from a folder of resumes.

Free Resume/CV Template by Pune Design Studio 

With this creative resume template by Pune Design Studio, the default bright colors help you stand out, and you can always edit or customize them based on your vision.

The package comes with 4 PSD files so, the whole template is 100% customizable.

If you know your way around Photoshop, you can edit the layers as you wish. And if not, the resume also comes with a help file of instructions .

And once everything is to your liking, the resume is automatically print-ready.

Simple as that.

Resume Template 4 Pack by Refinery Resume Co

Where to Get It: CreativeMarket

Your life doesn’t fit into one page?

Then you might want this resume template 4 pack to get your resume refined and noticed.

As long as you have the experience for it, this resume has the space.

From the first hello in your cover letter down to the references, this pack is the full package.

What’s included:

• Photoshop, Illustrators, MS Word file.
• Optional 2nd page (and more), template.
• Optional references and cover letter template.
• All the fonts used.

Infographic Resume Template by Microsoft

Where to Get It: MS Office Templates

Show you know your way around design and you’re not afraid to get creative with this infographic resume template.

It follows a modern chronological order, starting with your most recent job experience, going down to your previous jobs.

With it, you can list your qualifications in an extremely unique way, while still being easy to follow.

This is a great example of custom tailoring your resume to your industry.

As far as creative resumes go, this one will definitely catch some eyes.

Free Resume Template by Fernando Báez 

This free resume template screams high quality.

After using it to get a few jobs with the very same template, Fernando is now sharing his resume secrets.

A free resume that’s already been tried-and-tested? 

What’s not to love.

In it, you’ll find all the fonts used, a free icon set , and an Adobe Illustrator file .

PS - Wondering what font to use in your resume? Check out our guide on what’s the best resume font, size, and format .

Creative Resume Designed by MOO

This creative template by MOO was made for jobseekers wanting to show off their creativity and eye for design.

It’s customizable to your needs, and with its neutral color scheme, you can show off your creative side with just a minute or two of editing.

It’s accessible for job-seekersof all levels. Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, you’ll at least stay memorable with this resume.

And sometimes, being memorable is all that it takes to land the interview.

Slick and Elegant Resume Template by InkAndOcean

Price: $15.36

First impressions are everlasting.

Get noticed by employers with this slick and elegant resume now.

All you have to do is customize your text in the simple resume layout.

You can also easily edit text color , as it’s an MS Word format, and change the font type as well.

The cover letter also follows a similar black and jade design. So, if you want to stay memorable, half the work is already done for you.

All that’s left for you to do is fill in your background.

Bold Monogram Resume by Microsoft

Is your resume as bold as your personality?

If you’re using this bold monogram resume - you’re practically making a statement.

And that statement is that you’re not afraid to present your experience and talent in a stylish way.

The template also includes helpful tips for building an effective resume, with the focus being on your resume objective.

Meanwhile, the rest of the resume follows a smooth order in a way that makes sense.

Creative Watercolor Template for Word by TheArtofResume 

Price: $5.09

This watercolor template follows an interesting color scheme design that would only ever work in the creative industry.

If you’re a creative by craft, then you’re in luck.

The watercolor template is 100% customizable and there is no need to download anything else except just the resume pack.

The pack also comes with extra page templates, a cover letter, a reference page , 250+ extra icons, and even a resume writing guide.

A unique design with plenty of customizable options.

What else would you need?

Attention Resume by Spovv 

Where to Get It: Creative Market

Possibly the most unique resume template on this list so far, the attention resume template definitely lives up to its name.

And if it’s unique for this list, you know for a fact it’s going to stand out from other job applicants applying for the same job.

The template has been professionally designed, so editing it is a piece of cake for every beginner.

The clean and elegant look aside, the pack is also:

• A4 and US letter paper size.
• Print ready.
• Efficiently labeled with organized layers
• Easy to use.
• For any creative job.

Clean Resume Template by HalfCircle 

Where to Get it: Creative Market

A large part of having a clean resume that catches eyes is the design and the colors.

And that’s the case here.

This template comes with 3 different color schemes, with a clean layout and an easy-to-read font choice.

Though, probably the best thing about this template is the use of white space.

There’s plenty of space between each section, and nothing feels cramped.

No doubt the HR manager reading this resume will find it easy to do so.

It’s the exact blend of professional and creative that’ll be the main factor in landing you the job.

2 Column Resume Template for Word by OdonoDesign 

Price: $0.80

This 2 column resume is easy to use and professionally designed if you don’t have the time to format your own layout.

The template also comes with a 2nd page (if needed) and a cover letter file.

But unless you have a really long and extensive work history, you’ll have no problem fitting all of your work experience with 1 page.

And because of the column design, it’s all going to look great and be easy to follow.

For people in the creative industry, this is a really concise way to show off your qualifications.

Elegant Resume by Horea Nicodin 

Where to Get It: Dribble

Feeling fancy and want to leave a lasting first impression?

Why not do so with this elegant resume template.

Everything about it screams classy, while still being professional and modern.

If you’re the type of person who enjoys the finer things in life (yes, including your resume), this template might be more up your alley and be worth the price tag.

Though, remember the design can’t do all the work for you.

You won’t get hired just for the looks of your resume - the content inside has to be good too!

2 Page Resume/CV Combo by ResumeTemplates 

If you’re going to break the 1-page resume rule, then you’ll want to do so while looking good.

And that’s where this 2-page resume combo comes in. 

It’s compatible with Word, all image-editing software, and everything is well-layered and editable.

To top it all off, it’s also ready to print.

You can be up and running with your resume in your hands, after just 10 minutes of editing the template.

Professional Profile Resume Template by TheArtofResume

Where to get it: Etsy

Need a professional resume that presents your profile the best way?

This creative template has just the right amount of space for the About Me section. 

Start with a summary of your qualifications and skills, and then back them up with your work experience and skills sections .

All this, while having plenty of space within the sections and space to breathe.

If needed, the template also goes up to 3 pages, and even comes with a cover letter.

And on top of that - everything is customizable.

But even if you were to go with the default colors, you’d probably be fine as the color scheme and the design is on point here.

Key Takeaways

To recap, design isn’t everything.

But typically, it’s the first thing recruiters notice when looking at your resume.

Start there.

Pick a creative resume template that lets you stand out without costing you professionalism.

Once you’ve picked the right template, you need to work on the contents. Not sure how? Here are some of our best guides on perfecting your resume:

Suggested Reading:

• How to Make a Resume - Complete Guide
• How to Pick the Best Resume Format in 2024 [+Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job in 2024

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15 Creative Resume Examples That Will Land The Job

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

While you may think of this adage while preparing for your next interview, how often do you think about it when submitting your CV or resume to a potential client or employer?

The average length of time someone will look at your resume is about 5-8 seconds. That means you need a way to grab their attention quickly. Now, imagine competing with hundreds of other applicants for that same opportunity. As you might have guessed, the chances of getting noticed are reduced even more.

So how do you tackle this problem? How do you get your resume to stand out above all the rest? One way is by submitting a creative resume .

What Is a Creative Resume

A creative resume is one that steps away from the traditional, text-only resume and instead adds creative elements into the mix. This can be anything from interactivity, videos, infographics, and even things like custom chocolates and candy wrappers – although I don’t recommend those last two.

With a creative resume , the sky is the limit; you’re only capped by your imagination. Well, that and whether or not you really want that job.

Many recruiters and potential clients and employers may not appreciate a creative resume. If the important details get lost in the design, it’s not going to fare well for you. In fact, if you’re going to use a creative resume, it’s important to understand where they’ll work, and more importantly, where they won’t.

That said, you need to tailor your resume to the type of job you want. For example, you’re likely not going to send a creative resume if you’re applying for a job as a court clerk or a delivery driver. However, if you’re applying for the Creative Lead position at the local publishing house, it might just be the perfect opportunity to show off your design skills.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some examples of creative resume designs to help give you an idea of what’s out there, and what can be done. We’ll also give you some guidance on which industries will work best for a particular design choice.

Creative Resume Examples

Unique resume / joe kelso.

This unique resume, created by Joe Kelso in 2007, will surely turn heads. When asked about it in an interview, Joe revealed that it was his secret weapon to getting noticed. In fact, it was so effective that he was often called in for interviews in which he wasn’t a perfect match.

Industry: Media. Entertainment. Design.

Interactive & Fun / Robby Leonardi

If you’re looking for a fun resume idea, check out Robby Leonardi’s interactive resume . Robby’s resume, which looks a lot like a video game, takes you on a journey through his experiences by allowing you to control the player using your mouse or keyboard. When you make it to the end of the game, you’re rewarded with an opportunity to send Robby a message.

Industry: Animation. Design. Game / Web Development.

Simple Creative / Chen Zhi Liang

Infographics are all the rage these days, and it’s no surprise that they made their way into the resume design space. In this simple creative CV , Chen Zhi Liang makes use of them to highlight his skills, and I think he nailed it.

Industry: Design. Development.

Amazing / Joseph Acena

Another resume that uses infographics to highlight skills and other areas of interest is this amazing resume by Joseph Acena. The only issue I have with this one is related to the placement of the contact information – it’s a little hard to spot – but otherwise this is a brilliant looking resume.

Industry: Education. Publishing.

Artistic / María Camila Soto

María Camila Soto shows off her skills and her personality with her artistic resume . There’s just something about the hand-drawn look that I love.

Industry: Design. Art. Illustration .

Interesting / Gloria Edith Escalera Manzano

Gloria’s resume is the most interesting resume on the list. Although she created it for a school project, she clearly gave it a lot of thought, and I think she has something special here.

Industry : Design. Art. Illustration. Children’s Book Publishing.

Beautiful / Stuart Mayhew

This beautiful resume by Stuart Mayhew uses a single accent color to highlight the important bits of information. The font choice is also brilliant. Many people forget how important readability is when they focus too much on the flashy design elements. Stuart clearly did not.

Industry : Design. Marketing.

Designer / Anton Yermolov

Anton Yermolov created this elegant designer resume, which also uses infographics to highlight his skills. This simple design reminds me of something I might see in a magazine, and it certainly caught my attention.

Industry : Design. Development. Print Media.

Creative Marketing / Mathew Lynch

Although there’s not much room for, well anything, Mathew Lynch sure knows how to ask for what he wants! With his creative marketing resume, there’s no question about what he’s after. The fantastic typography alone will surely draw some attention.

Industry : Publishing. Development. Design.

Awesome / Jimmy Raheriarisoa

Jimmy Raheriarisoa’s awesome resume is two-color, noir perfection! It’s simple, elegant, fun, and best of all… his skills are up-front and center. I’d call him in for an interview in a heartbeat.

Industry : Publishing. Media. Art. Entertainment.

Innovative / Paula Del Mas

This innovative resume comes from Paula Del Mas, which she created to promote her skills as a graphic designer. Technically more of a portfolio than a resume, Paula spent a lot of time designing it. She looked at every aspect of this book, including cover design and font selection, and included only things that would highlight her abilities.

Industry : Design. Publishing.

Creative / Lim Zhiyang

Lim Zhiyang uses infographics to highlight his skills and general interests in this fantastically fun and creative resume. A resume like this is great when you have skills, but not a lot of experience.

Industry : Design. Development. Illustration.

Cool / Francesco Rivieccio

Francesco’s cool resume gives us a look at the anatomy of a creative professional. His resume highlights his skills in a way that I’ve not seen before. If I were recruiting for new creative talent, Francesco would make it on the list, for sure!

Industry : Design. Illustration. Publishing. Gaming.

Creative / Allison Brunton

This creative resume by Allison Brunton reminds me of a technicolor version of Jimmy Raheriarisoa’s resume (#10). The important information is easy to find, and the use of infographics brings things together nicely.

Industry : Design. Creative Arts.

Creative Genius / Rebecca Fisk

When I first saw Rebecca Fisk’s creative CV, I was immediately reminded of those old Pantone color-chips from back in the day. While I’m not sure how practical of a CV this is, it’ll absolutely make a lasting first impression.

Industry : Creative. Design.

Creative Resume Design Tips

Now that you’ve seen some creative resume examples, you might decide to make one of your own. Before you do, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Choose legible fonts. One of the most important tips is font selection. Too often, I’ve seen it where either an illegible font was used or too many fonts were used together. The basic rule here is to keep it simple and clean. Don’t select crazy fonts just because they’re available.
• Keep your contact information easy to spot. This should go without saying, but when your contact information is more difficult to find than the Ark of the Covenant, no one – not even Indiana Jones – will find you. If you want people to contact you, make sure you make it easy for them to do so: don’t hide your contact information behind a terrible design.
• Include important information, but keep it brief. If the average read-time is about 6-8 seconds to determine whether or not you’ll be getting a call, then imagine how much time is spent reading the rest of your resume. That said, keep it clear and concise. Don’t include irrelevant information, and don’t use big words when smaller ones will do.
• Let your personality show. Be creative. Let your resume speak to your personality. While my own resume isn’t exactly “creative” – I use a traditional style – my personality still comes through. In my profile section, I have the following bullet points:

Zombie aficionado — should there ever be a zombie apocalypse, it might be nice to have me around. Just sayin’.

• Use infographics to highlight your skills. Infographics can play a huge part in making a resume stand out, but it’s important to understand what infographics are , and how to make them work. Otherwise, you run the risk of having your resume look like a photo collage put together by a second-grader.

Creative Resume Templates

If you’re not keen on designing your own creative resume, you might consider starting with a template . A word of caution, though… with a template, you run the risk of not being original. However, resume templates do offer a good starting point.

Here are a few to help get you started:

the TRUE SCOUT

$99.00 USD: Get it here This template offers a nice balance between traditional and creative. The important information is easy to spot, and the color and font selection are spot-on.

Clean CV Resume

$16 USD: Get it here This template comes jam-packed with extras, including matching business cards! It also comes in three different formats: .psd, .docx, and .doc.

Flat Resume with Infographics

$12 USD: Get it here If you’re looking for an entry-level infographics format, this one by Creative Graphics is simple, flat , and fully customizable. However, you’ll need Adobe Illustrator for this one.

Infographic Resume/CV

$15 USD: Get it here In my book, this one by Whitegraphic is a solid choice. It features both a light and dark style, uses free fonts, and comes in two formats: .psd and .ai.

There are tons of templates online. Some are free, some are not. The best advice I can give, go with what speaks to you and your personality. Just keep in mind where it is you’re sending it.

Creative resumes aren’t for everyone, and they’re certainly not for every type of job—but they do have their place and can be an effective tool when you’re looking for new opportunities. Just keep things tame!

The bottom line is that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Creative resumes do have the potential to get you noticed, but you want to make sure that you’re being noticed in a good way and for the right reasons.

About the Author Tammy Coron is an independent creative professional and the host of Roundabout: Creative Chaos. She’s also the co-founder of Day Of The Indie, the organizer behind Indie DevStock, and the founder of Just Write Code. Find out more at TammyCoron.com .

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How to Make a Resume: Beginner's Writing Guide with Examples

30 min read · Updated on May 22, 2024

Your dream job is one resume away!

Your resume is arguably the most important financial document you'll ever own. And before you think, “Yeah – right” let's consider for a moment. Without a resume, you don't get the job, so you can't pay bills, support a family, go to the big game, have that weekend trip, or plan for retirement. Your resume is the doorway to your future, so let's make sure it's perfect.

Part of making it perfect is remembering that it's a targeted career marketing document – not a chronicle of your life. So, how do you write a resume? In this beginner's writing guide, we'll show you how to make a resume and provide examples of what each section should look like. 

Grab a cup of coffee and strap in, because you're about to learn everything you need to know about how to make a new resume!

Table of contents:

The purpose of a resume

Avoid rejection by the ATS

What is your career target?

Build your personal brand, what should your resume look like, how to make a resume – the layout.

How long does it take to put together a resume?

A major resume no-no: typos

How to make your resume more professional

Theory in practice – resume examples

The most basic purpose of a resume is to sell your skills , achievements , and qualifications to prospective employers. This one document can financially make or break you. Let's take a quick look at what being unemployed costs you per day (assuming a five-day workweek):

If you make $40,000 per year, you lose about $155 every day that you're out of work

If you make $50,000 per year, you lose about $190 every day that you're out of work

If you make $75,000 per year, you lose about $288 every day that you're out of work

If you make $100,000 per year, you lose about $385 every day that you're out of work

Clearly, finding out how to make a resume for a job is critical so that you can properly sell your skills, qualifications, experiences, and achievements to prospective employers. 

The job market is tough and highly competitive; you have to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates by creating a compelling narrative that tells a story of value, keeping in mind that your resume is supposed to do a few things for you:

Introduce you to a new company

Underscore how your experiences and education are relevant

Showcase how your skills and competencies will benefit the new company's team

Win interviews

Avoid rejection by the ATS 

What do you know about applicant tracking systems? Job seeking can be compared to throwing your resume into a black hole. You can go through 100 listings on any job search website and complete the online application with zero results. 

Ever had that happen? It's okay, it happens to everyone at some point or another! 

The problem is that you're probably not putting the correct keywords into your resume. When you hit “Submit” on an online application, it isn't magically emailed to the hiring manager. 

Oh, no! 

It goes through a computer system that scans your resume for specific keywords that can be found in the job description posted by the company. And, just so you know, approximately 90% of companies use ATS scans , including everything from mom-and-pop shops to Fortune 500 companies. 

The companies use these programs because they just don't have time for a human to go through all the resumes they receive. Depending on the job opening, a company can get between  250 and 500 applicants . Can you imagine being the person who has to sift through all those resumes? 

Here is where the ATS steps in. It's designed to weed through candidates to narrow the applicant pool, so that the human hiring manager has a more reasonable resume load to go through. It ranks the remaining candidates in order based on how much of a match they are for the position that's open. 

Being overlooked by the ATS is one of the number one reasons job seekers get ghosted by companies.

Once your resume makes it through the ATS and gets into the hands of a hiring manager, don't think they're going to sit down and read each one. Who has that kind of time? You should expect that the first round of resume sorting will consist of them flipping through the stack to pick the ones that stand out within about 6 seconds of glancing at them. 

PRO TIP: Put your resume on a table, stand up, and look at it from a little distance. Is it eye-catching? Can you tell the position you're seeking just by glancing at it? Set a timer if you have to, but no more than 10 seconds.

Speaking of eye-catching, don't make the same mistake as a lot of your rival job seekers by being too generic with your resume. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being non-specific will open doors to more opportunities. The problem is that the hiring manager won't be able to tell exactly where you'll fit within their organization. 

The first step in winning an interview is being sure that your resume actually makes it into the hands of a human being at the company you apply to. Start by defining what you want to do.

So the first, and most important, step in crafting the perfect resume is to narrow down your target career path. The more specific you are with this first step, the more response you'll receive from hiring managers because they'll be able to tell exactly how you fit within their organization. There are four areas to focus on as you begin to chart your career path:

Industry: Do you want to work in private sector, nonprofit, government, or public roles?

Geography: This one is more in-depth than choosing rural vs urban. It also includes whether you want to work in a dynamic or static environment.

Company size: You may not think it, but having an idea about whether you want to work in a small company or one with thousands of employees is important. 

Role: Saving the best for last, you have to know what position you want.

On the surface, it may seem like these things are only important for the job search aspect of landing a new position, but you have to know what voice to write your resume in, too. Part of that is knowing your audience. When you understand your audience, you can build a personal brand that resonates with what they're looking for in a new staff member.

Now that you've gotten your target career path nailed down, the next step is to brand you. Think of yourself as a product and your resume is the packaging. Companies spend a lot of time on their branding and packaging - you have to do the same thing.

The best place to start is with a  career assessment . Taking one of these tests can help you to identify your strengths, what sets you apart from others, and key themes of your professional identity. Just like Nike and Coca-Cola have timeless taglines and catchphrases that succinctly define what they have to offer to consumers, your personal brand has to tell a concise, yet compelling, story. This is where your resume comes in.

Your resume isn't just a piece of paper you give to a hiring manager or upload to a website that says, “I'm interested in this job.” Your resume is a personal marketing tool. You shape that tool with words that describe your experiences and achievements, to impress and grab the attention of the hiring manager. 

Unlike Nike's “Just Do It” phrase, your personal brand isn't something you build and forget. It is fluid and should be revisited and refined as you gain new skills, experiences, and achievements. Weave the elements of your brand into every section of your resume.

There is a common misconception that entry-level resumes look different than executive resumes. The reality is that the only difference is how much content is available to write about. 

Obviously, someone who has little to no experience will have a  short resume  – generally one page. 

When you start to get up to 10 years of experience, then you've earned the second page, so go ahead and use it. 

It's not incremental though

Just because you have 20 years of experience doesn't mean you can have a three-page resume. As you work through how to make a resume, remember that a three-page resume should be avoided, unless you have a lot of career extras like publications, research, patents, publications, or public speaking engagements to talk about. 

Other than the number of pages, your resume should use the same format and layout no matter if you're applying to a job as someone fresh out of college or seeking to be the CEO of a company. 

Chronological resume 

The  reverse-chronological  is the most popular, traditional, and well-known resume format. Its focus is placed on achievements from your career history and is defined by listing your work history starting with your current or most recent job and working backward 10-15 years. 

Employers like this type of resume because it tells them what, when, and where you worked. It's best to use this if your work history is steady and shows growth and development. If you're looking to make a career change, have had frequent job changes, or if you're seeking your first job, this may not be the best format to use.

Pro Tip: You could also get lost in the ATS if your  resume is over-designed . Many resume writers will tell you that you need to stand out in the sea of sameness by adding some personality to your resume through design. While that's true, you need to avoid heavily formatted resumes which are often rejected by computer scanners as being illegible.

Functional resume 

This resume type focuses more on skills and experiences rather than on your work history. It's more of a “what you know and how you apply that knowledge” than a simple list of where you got the knowledge. It plays down gaps in work history and makes frequent job changes less noticeable. If it isn't done properly, though, it can be confusing for the hiring manager to read and understand. There's also a bit of a stigma behind it, because employers know that job seekers use this style to downplay job-hopping. So, the first thing they do when they get a functional resume is check employment dates. If you can avoid using this style, it's best to do so.

Combination resume 

There is another resume format that focuses on skills first and then experience last. It's the combination resume, which is sometimes called a hybrid resume. This is the most complex resume type and the best resume for mid-career professionals who are transitioning into another career or for people who have special skills and a strong track record of accomplishments. These types of resumes do take a long time to read and some hiring managers won't take the time unless they're looking to fill a hard-to-fill position.

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin and means “course of life.” It's a little different from a resume, but some positions require a CV over a resume. The first thing you would notice is that a CV is significantly longer than a resume.  A resume is a self-branding document meant to portray your experience and achievements in a concise and easy-to-read format. A CV goes much further into the depth of your education and accomplishments (think publications, awards, and honors) and even has a section for you to include "Areas of Interest."

The best way to describe a CV is that it's a career biography. The biggest significant difference is that a CV is arranged chronologically in a way that gives a complete overview of your full working career. It also doesn't change based on the career or position for which you're applying.

Layout 

To make things easier for the hiring manager to digest the content of your resume, it should be laid out in a specific way to ensure that the right information is in the right place. 

Hiring managers don't  READ  resumes. They skim through until they find something that piques their interest and then they stop to read

Contact information

Title 

Professional summary , core competencies, experience , education and credentials , awards, certificates, and volunteer work .

Since the reverse-chronological resume is the one that the majority of people will use to apply for jobs, and because it's the format that hiring managers want to see, we'll focus this article on showing you how to make a resume using that style. 

Current contact information 

Location | Phone | Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio (if applicable)

You can be creative and use bold font in your  contact information  and even put a border under it to separate it from the body of your resume. 

• Name: Be sure to list your name the same across all professional documents (e.g., resume, cover letter, thank you note, LinkedIn profile). Don't get hung up with whether to use your legal name (i.e. the name on your birth certificate or driver's license). Write your name in the manner you want people to address you. Also, if you use any abbreviated credentials after your name (e.g. Jane Smith, MD), remember to include them on all professional documents.  You can also include any shortened versions of your name in quotations (e.g. Christopher "Chris" Smith). Just make sure to list it the same way everywhere you put your name.
• Address: It is no longer customary to include your full address on your resume. There have been instances of discrimination against job seekers based on their address. As far as your address is concerned, all you need is the City, State, and Zip Code. A lot of people leave off the Zip Code; however, hiring managers can query the ATS for all resumes within a radius of a Zip Code. If you exclude the Zip Code or put something like, "Greater New York Metro Area," your resume won't be included in the query.
• Phone and email: Put the telephone number and email address where you can easily be reached. Also, be sure that your email address is professional. Using something like [email protected] just won't cut it. The best idea is to use some form of your name. If you're paranoid about having your name in your email address, then you can use some form of the type of position you seek, like [email protected].
• LinkedIn URL: You don't have to spell out the entire URL on the contact line. You can put the words “LinkedIn URL” and hyperlink those words. Before you include your LinkedIn URL, be sure that your LinkedIn profile is optimized for the career you want - because you can bet if they have access to it, the hiring manager will look at it. 
• Portfolio: If you're applying for a position like Graphic Designer or Software Designer, you may have a portfolio of work that you want to make available to someone reviewing your application for employment. Include a hyperlink to the portfolio in your contact information. 
• Headshot / photo: There is no reason to include a  headshot on your resume . Actually, it's seen as taboo and could be the thing that gets your resume rejected, because the hiring manager might assume you think you can get the job based on your looks. However, there are some exceptions, like if you're applying to be a model or actor. 

Do you want a hiring manager to be able to tell immediately what type of candidate you are? Put a title at the top of your resume. Center the text on the line, put it in bold font, and put a blank space above and below. The white space and the small amount of words will help it to jump off the page and immediately be noticed. It will also be the first step in helping you stand out in the sea of sameness.

Also, be sure the title on your resume mirrors the title on the job description that you're applying to, but add a bit of panache to it so that it's not too boring. For example, instead of writing “Financial Services Associate,” write “Client-Centric Financial Services Associate Dedicated to Customer Engagement and Revenue Growth.” Just remember to keep it on one line. 

The very next thing on the page should always be your Professional Summary. But how do you write a summary for a resume?

It's a three to five-sentence statement about you. Where you've been in your career, where you're going, and how you'll use your experience to get there. 

While the professional summary is sometimes referred to as the resume objective , you must remember that the days of writing a  resume objective are dead . Never, ever include an objective on your resume. They are a waste of space and don't relay any information that markets you as the best candidate for an open position. 

Let's take a look at an example of each:

Sales Representative seeking a challenging position that will use my skills and provide opportunities for growth in a dynamic and rewarding company. 

As you can see, the objective is very inward-facing and only talks about what you want out of your career. It provides no value to the hiring manager and eliminates any possibility for them to be able to tell what you bring to the table for them. 

Professional Summary:

Ambitious sales professional offering 10+ years' experience in customer retention and aggressive revenue growth. Conquers goals and quotas through a keen awareness of the human buying motive that allows for quickly overcoming objections. Used historical data and consumer trends to reach new customers and grow territory by 24%. Innate ability to work independently or as a member of a cross-functional team.

The best use of resume space is to write a summary of your career. The effectiveness of this summary comes from the fusing of three things:

Relevant keywords – customer retention, revenue growth, and quotas 

Hard and soft skills – overcoming objections and working independently

An achievement – 24% territory growth

With this professional summary, the hiring manager will be able to tell in an instant what you have to offer their team. 

Even though the skills section of your resume is small, it packs a powerful punch! The skills you list in this section highlight your key abilities and show potential employers what you bring to the table. 

It should contain approximately 12 ATS-friendly keywords and phrases that align with the keywords in the job description. Meaning, this is a fluid section that will need to be  tailored to every job  that you apply to. Technically speaking, your entire resume should be customized to align with each job description. That's one thing that will help you get past the ATS. 

Be sure to include a good mix of  hard and soft skills  because prospective employers not only want to know that you can perform the tasks related to your job (hard skills), but they also want to gain a clear understanding of how you'll fit within the culture of the company (soft skills). 

Tips for building your Core Competencies section:

Include skills that are relevant to the job that you're applying to

Avoid creating a laundry list of everything you know how to do – be selective so that the section is more impactful

Group similar competencies together using categories – technical skills, soft skills, and languages

Prioritize your top skills based on their relevance to the job you want

Update frequently

Be consistent with the formatting

Here is a sample Core Competencies list that contains both hard and soft skills:

Core Competencies

Project Management | Data Analysis | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Digital Marketing Strategy | Python Programming | Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | Negotiation | Team Leadership | Business Development | Financial Modeling | Articulate Communication

This section is meant to show how your career history lends itself to the skills you have that make you the perfect candidate for a given job. There are some general rules of thumb on how to make a resume with a great professional experience section:

Don't go further back than 10 to 15 years

Use no more than 3 to 5 bullets per work listing

Incorporate at least 5 measurable achievements per 10 years of experience (the more the better)

Use stacking for companies where you held more than one role

10-15 Years

The 10-15 years of experience is the most relevant – you can list more than that, but avoid using bullet points for roles over 10 years old. Begin by listing your most recent position first and work your way backward to your oldest position, within that 10-15-year range. If you have 30 years of experience, you can use achievements or skills you learned during that time as talking points during the interview. Listing those older experiences on your resume will only dilute the content.

As you write out your bullet points, keep two words in mind: “so what?” The hiring manager is going to be thinking it, you might as well be thinking it, too. Every time you write something on your resume, think, “So what? Why am I writing this? What value will it bring to my new employer? Will this be THE THING that lands me an interview?"

Achievements

Remove “Responsible for…” from your resume-writing vocabulary. That's because it's crucial that you talk about what you achieved, instead of just what your responsibilities were. Let's face it, there are a lot of things that people are “responsible for” that never get done. So, be sure to talk about things you actually accomplished, as that will be the proof the hiring manager needs to take the next step and call you for an interview.

1. Use numbers whenever possible

The best way to call attention to your career accomplishments is to use numbers. Numbers add credibility to your claims and provide a clear picture of what you bring to the table. 

Don't write this:

• Conducted cold calls to expand client base

Write this instead:

• Increased sales by 15% by making approximately 20 cold calls per day to expand the client base

The latter makes an unmistakable assertion that you had a positive impact, not only in your role but on the company as a whole. You can take it a step further and talk about things like problem-solving skills and how you addressed challenges to lead to team success. These types of  soft skills are highly valued by employers  and could be the thing that lands you an interview.

PRO TIP: Use the  CAR method  for building achievement statements into your resume.

2. Use action words to convey accomplishment

A lot of people make the mistake of copying bullet points from the job descriptions of the roles they've held. This practice makes you sound detached from achievements and focuses more on responsibilities. Using passive language is too generic and doesn't allow a hiring manager to see what you'll be able to accomplish in the new role. 

It's better to use action language to show that you're an achiever rather than a doer. Here are some examples of action words you can use on your resume: 

Worked with others: Advised, Aided, Assisted, Chaired, Coached, Collaborated with, Consulted with, Helped, Instructed, Interacted with, Mentored, Motivated, Supported

Communicated: Addressed, Advertised, Answered, Briefed, Corresponded with, Debated, Explained, Facilitated, Informed, Interpreted, Interviewed, Persuaded, Responded to

Analyzed data: Assessed, Appraised, Audited, Calculated, Computed, Estimated, Evaluated, Forecast, Inspected, Measured, Researched, Surveyed, Tested

Operated equipment: Installed, Maintained, Programmed, Ran, Serviced, Used

Worked with money or contracts: Administered, Appropriated, Authorized, Balanced, Controlled, Directed, Enforced, Financed, Funded, Governed, Invested, Monitored, Oversaw, Purchased

Organized something: Arranged, Assembled, Catalogued, Compiled, Coordinated, Itemized, Routed, Scheduled, Stocked, Tracked

Created: Composed, Customized, Designed, Directed, Established, Founded, Illustrated, Originated, Shaped

Researched: Analyzed, Collected, Criticized, Detected, Diagnosed, Evaluated, Tested

How to make your professional experience section: The formula

There's a formula for writing your professional experience section in a way that focuses on achievements. You'll start by asking yourself these questions about every job you've had:

What was the name of the company?

What was the title of your role?

What dates were you employed? (*Hint: use the MM/YYYY format for your dates)

What did you do every day? (*Example: Leveraged management skills to direct operations of 5 separate but concurrent projects by delegating tasks to staff based on employee acumen and monitoring / controlling budgets)

What is one thing you did at the company that you're really proud of?

What is another thing you're really proud of?

What is one more thing you did that you're really proud of?

When you put all of that together, it should look like this:

Company Name | MM/YYYY to Present

Position Title

Balanced competing priorities on multiple and concurrent projects and program management initiatives using data-driven strategies in Agile environments. Managed key accounts, onboarded new accounts, and oversaw organizational process adoption for nursing facilities, emergency departments, and pharmacies.

Developed $2M Provider Incentive Program that increased community provider partnerships

Saved $800K by using Six Sigma skills to implement DMAIC approach

Coached and mentored 2 direct reports, creating an open environment of communication that facilitated future-facing decision-making

Many people will create separate sections for education history and certifications. That's not necessary. You can include all of it in one section. You can also include extras like  relevant coursework , projects, and achievements. These extras can be truly beneficial for your application if you have little to no work experience. 

There are some general rules of thumb for the education section: 

Spell out acronyms (BS, MS, PhD) and school abbreviations

It is no longer customary to include graduation dates unless you're still in school or graduated within the last year

Never include high school, unless you're still in high school - listing high school doesn't say “ I finished high school, ” it says, “ I didn't go to college .” 

List your degree first and then your school, unless you've obtained multiple degrees at the same institution. 

Here's what a regular education section looks like:

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

Master of Business Administration (MBA) | ABC University

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | XYZ University

Six Sigma Black Belt | Council for Six Sigma Certification

If you don't have a lot of experience and need to include some relevant coursework or major projects to inject relevant keywords into your resume, then this is what that would look like:

Relevant coursework:  Marketing, Operations Management, Accounting, Corporate Finance

Capstone project:  Let a team of 4 to execute a market analysis project to expand the Brooms and Handles company into new regions. Used market and consumer analysis data to identify gaps and achieve a 15% projected revenue increase and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction within the pilot program. 

You can include educational information about a degree program even if it's still in progress. Here's what that would look like:

Expected completion:  05/2024

Capstone project:  Let a team of 4 to execute a market analysis project to expand the Brooms and Handles company into new regions. Used market and consumer analysis data to identify gaps and achieve a 15% projected revenue increase and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction within the pilot program.

It is important to list what you do outside of work and school. It helps to demonstrate that you're a well-rounded person. 

Were you the president of a fraternity or sorority? 

Did you get involved with showing new students around campus? 

Have you headed a sales team that produced top awards? 

Were you an employee of the month? 

Do you speak multiple languages?

Did you volunteer for an organization?

Did you perform some major research that ended up being published?

All of these extras allow prospective employers a sneak peek into your life outside of work. They can also go a long way to breaking the ice during an interview, especially if something you do outside work is important or interesting to the hiring manager. 

Keep in mind to list only those volunteer positions, projects, or affiliations that are related to your career goals. 

How long does it take to make a resume?

If you're going to use the resume wizard that MS Word has, you can slap your information together in a day or two. It will get to employers. The bad thing is that it probably won't get a whole lot of attention. 

The "just right resume" can take weeks, because of how much background work goes into it. You'll write it, rewrite it, and write it again, and may even have multiple versions. Ultimately, the exact amount of time that goes into putting your resume together depends on your level of experience, how complex your history is, and the specificity of the job you're applying to. 

Entry-level resumes take the least amount of time, simply because there's less information to include

Mid-level resumes take a few days because of the amount of detail in your work history

Executive resumes, or those for specialized positions, can take weeks - especially if you have to do some digging to come up with accomplishments from your previous positions

Updating an existing resume that's well-maintained can be done in just a few hours

While the time spent can seem like a lot, if you're truly marketing yourself for that “just right” position, do you want your resume to say “This was thrown together in a couple of hours using a template” OR do you want it to say “I know this document is important and a significant amount of time was spent on it to make it perfect?”

The first and foremost thing that will get your resume tossed in the garbage can are typos. The number of resumes with errors that are turned in every day to employers across the globe is so astounding that it bears discussing. 

You must proofread your resume!

The major problem with typos and grammatical boo-boos is that your eyes will read what you intended to type. So, after you've read through your resume a few times and think it's perfect, get a friend to read it. Make sure the friend is one of those brutally honest types. It's better to get it back marked all over with bright red ink so you can fix it before you send it out, than to send it out and then realize there's a mistake in it.

How to make your resume seem more professional

Lazy words: Do you see words like "etc" or “other duties as required” on your resume? Delete them immediately. If you take shortcuts in the language of your resume, hiring managers will wonder if you'll be taking shortcuts at work. 

Cookie cutter resumes: Your resume has to stand out. Because of that, you should avoid throwing something together that you find a sample of online. Make it yours, make it represent you. Many people rely on the resume wizard that comes loaded with MS Word and, while that is a good tool to use to help you remember the sections to include, it shouldn't be the end-all-and-be-all of your resume design. 

Specificity: You've had three jobs in the last 10 years and you've listed every detail of everything you've done during your tenure at those jobs. That makes you a Jack (or Jackie) of all trades, but a master of nothing. You have to be specific to the job for which you're applying. What value do you bring to that employer for that job? What achievements can you highlight?

Tailoring: Considering the rampant use of ATS by companies big and small, you have to take the time to customize your resume so that it gets past those scanners. Remember to use relevant keywords from the job descriptions throughout your resume. 

PRO TIP: You can check to see how to make your resume better! Have it checked against an ATS and get a free, personalized, and  professional resume review . 

Theory in practice – 10 resume examples

It's one thing to have someone tell you how to make a resume, it's another thing to see an example – proof that all of this information can come together in a practical way that makes sense. 

1. Software Engineer resume example

Click here for an example of a Software Engineer resume.

2. Data Scientist resume example

Click here for an example of a Data Scientist resume.

3. Cybersecurity resume example

Click here for an example of a cybersecurity resume.

4. Digital Marketing Manager resume example

Click here for an example of a Digital Marketing Manager resume.

5. Nurse Practitioner resume example

Click here for an example of a Nurse Practitioner resume. 

6. Finance Director resume example

Click here for an example of a Finance Director resume. 

7. Attorney resume example

Click here for an example of a Attorney resume.

8. Administrative Office Assistant resume example

Click here for an example of an Administrative Office Assistant resume. 

9. Information Technology Expert resume example

Click here for an example of an Information Technology Expert resume. 

10. Chief Executive Officer resume example

Click here for an example of a CEO resume. 

Now you know how to make a resume for your next job!

It may seem like it takes a lot of work to make a good resume, but if you've followed along this far there are a few things that should be ingrained in you that will help you write a professional resume:

Know what you want to do – be specific

Make your resume with the right format 

Use a standard layout, whether you are writing your first resume or 50th

Use action words to make your resume stand out

Quantify your achievements to prove that you have what it takes to succeed in a new role

Tailor your new resume to each job

Double and triple-check for errors, typos, and grammar mistakes

If you're still unsure how to make a perfect resume, TopResume has you covered. Our team of  professional resume writers  has the know-how and experience to write a resume for you that will win interviews.

Recommended reading: 

Resume Tricks That Don't Work

What Does Your Resume Really Say About You?

Bad Resume Advice You Should Completely Ignore

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

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How To Make a Creative Resume

While most employers prefer a simple, professional resume, there are some situations where a more creative and unique resume can work to your advantage. This article will cover what a creative resume is, the pros and cons of using one, when a creative resume is appropriate, and a few sample ideas and tips to get you started.

What Is a Creative Resume?

A creative resume generally contains much of the same information as a traditional resume , but it is presented in a more fun or interesting manner. Creative resumes are often tailored to a specific industry in order to show off your relevant skills and set your application apart from others. For example, a graphic designer might make an infographic style resume or otherwise make a visually interesting resume, while a videographer might create a video resume .

Benefits of a Creative Resume

There are a few different benefits of creative resumes . First, they can serve to grab a hiring manager’s attention better than a traditional resume, which can help you stand out from a crowd of applicants.

Additionally, creative resumes can be a more effective way to demonstrate your skills and qualifications , especially if you are applying to a job that relies on visual information such as graphic design, acting, modeling, photography, videography, and so forth. It’s often difficult to translate these skills effectively onto paper, so incorporating samples of your work directly into your resume can be very helpful.

Finally, if you do not have a lot of professional work experience , a creative resume can help you emphasize your skills and other qualifications over your chronological work history (or lack thereof).

Disadvantages of Creative Resumes

However, there are some disadvantages of using a creative resume as well. First, many companies and hiring managers prefer traditional resumes since they are generally easier to read and compare with other applications. Some hiring managers may also feel that including graphics, visual aids, design elements, or other non-traditional resume elements is distracting and unnecessary.

Plus, many companies now use applicant tracking system ( ATS ) software to screen every resume that they receive. These automated systems search for keywords that the employer has specified in order to determine if the applicant has the desired experience, skills, and so forth. ATS software can only scan text, however, so if your creative resume includes graphics or other non-text elements, it may be automatically rejected by the ATS or not even scanned at all.

If you feel that a creative resume makes the most sense for you but you are concerned about an ATS rejection, you may want to submit a simple, more traditional written resume in addition to your creative resume.

When To Use a Creative Resume

If you are considering using a creative resume, think about whether your creative abilities are sufficient to create a compelling one as well as if it’s appropriate for your industry. For example, if you are applying to a role in a staid industry like finance or law, a creative resume wouldn’t be appropriate and would likely actually hurt your candidacy. In general, if your industry has a dress code, a traditional executive-style resume will be your best bet.

Your creative resume needs to be professional, and it needs to present all of your relevant information.

It can take quite some time to create one, and it needs to be visually appealing as well as effective. If you aren’t completely confident in your ability to make an effective creative resume, you may be better off sticking to a traditional resume.

Creative Resume Example Ideas

If you have decided that a creative resume is appropriate for your industry and you have the skills and abilities to create an effective one, here are a few ideas for creative resume formats to help you get started:

Infographic

An infographic can be a good option for graphic designers, web designers, those who work in IT, and so forth. An infographic will still contain some written text, but it is visually more interesting and can show off your design and presentation skills better than plain text.

Video Resume

A video resume can be useful if you are applying to a visual or performance-based role, such as acting, teaching classes, presenting, and so forth. They can also be suitable if you are applying to work as a videographer or video editor. Video resumes are generally most successful when they are kept between 30 seconds and two minutes in length.

Online Portfolios

An online portfolio can serve as a supplement to a traditional resume or as a resume in its own right if you include your essential information in addition to the past work or visual elements that you are showcasing.

Unique Twist on a Traditional Resume

Finally, you can use a traditional resume as the basis for your creative resume, but add interesting elements like color blocks, textures, unique fonts , and so forth. For instance, if you are an illustrator, you might create an illustrated border or header for your traditional resume. This will make your resume stand out to potential employers but the written portion will still be scannable for the ATS.

Tips for Creating a Successful Creative Resume

Finally, here are some tips to help you make a compelling creative resume:

While traditional resumes should mostly employ muted colors or no colors at all, a creative resume can have pops of color that help show off your personality as well as your design skills, taste, and style.

Use Interesting Fonts

While it’s generally best to use a relatively plain, easy-to-read font for the body text of your resume, you can experiment with more creative fonts for your name at the top of your resume as well as your headings and subheadings. However, be sure that the text is still readable.

Use a Design Program

If you really want to create a unique resume, you may need to use a design program rather than a word processor or a template. However, be sure that you know what you are doing in the design program before attempting this so your resume turns out looking polished and professional.

Keep It Professional and Relevant

With a creative resume, you still need to present the essential information that would be expected on a traditional resume, such as your name and contact information , work experience, education , skills, and so forth. Additionally, be sure that everything you include on your creative resume is relevant to the position that you are applying for.

Make Sure It’s Printable

If you are submitting a resume that involves colors, graphics, and so forth, be sure that the resume can still be printed easily and that everything is still legible when printed. Ensure that your font color contrasts with the background color so that even if your colorful resume is printed out in black and white, the hiring manager will still be able to read it.

Key Takeaways

Creative resumes provide a little more flair and visual interest over traditional written resumes, and they can be beneficial for those who work in creative or visual fields. Demonstrating your skills can be more effective than trying to outline them in writing. When deciding if a creative resume is right for you, consider whether you have the time and abilities to create an effective one and whether it’s appropriate for your industry. If so, be sure to include all of the essential information that would be on a traditional resume. If you are concerned about ATS scans, you may wish to submit a traditional written resume in addition to your creative resume.

Not sure what information to include in your creative resume? Create your traditional resume first with Jobseeker ’s professional resume templates . You’ll have an ATS-optimized resume to submit and you’ll learn which information to include in your creative resume.

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How To Build A Creative Resume That Stands Out

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Competition in the job market is stiff. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, COVID-19 is causing economic activity to collapse and unemployment to soar. The pandemic’s impact on jobs has been ten times bigger than that of the global financial crisis of 2007 to 2008.

With more people looking for work, you must find creative ways to stand out. Your resume is the first thing potential employers will see, so it makes sense to start there. Read on to learn how to build a creative resume that will get you in front of the right people.

Include Only Relevant Details

Contrary to popular belief, more information in a resume isn’t necessarily better. Don’t feel the need to include your entire work history. Remember, your resume's job is to convince your potential employer that you have the skills for the post you’re applying for, and a creative resume will help make it stand out.

Take a look at this pared-down resume:

Danny’s expertise and experience are evident at a glance, and you should aim for the same thing with your resume. If you’re applying to be a graphic designer, your experience as a salesperson while you were in college probably isn’t relevant.

A simple rule of thumb : if it doesn’t strengthen your candidacy for this job, don’t make it the main focus.

However, that doesn’t mean you should only include experience in roles with a similar title or in the same industry. Transferable skills are valuable. You just need to make sure they’re directly relevant to the role you’re hoping to land, and a creative resume will help you do that.

Customize Your Creative Resume

Like most job seekers, you are probably applying for multiple positions. Don’t be tempted to send the same resume each time. Instead, tailor your resume to each application to highlight only the most relevant skills and experience. This type of creative resume shows the hiring manager that you have the skills needed for the role and will increase your chances of getting an interview. It also shows you really want the position.

If you’re sending your customized resumes to different people via email, I recommend using an email tracking tool to see when they’re opened. This helps you keep track of the status of each of your applications, as well as knowing when to follow up and when to move on.

Highlight Your Work Experience

Make sure your work experience is front and center of your resume. Any hiring manager will tell you that this is the first thing they look at.

According to LinkedIn, hiring managers rarely pay much attention to an applicant’s education history, unless they’re specifically looking to recruit new graduates. So, however prestigious your college degree, it should take up less space than your employment history.

According to a 2018 eye-tracking study, hiring managers skim an applicant’s resume for an average of only 7.4 seconds . If they can’t get a good sense of your work experience in that time, they might throw your resume away without a second look. They get tons of applications for each job, and one fewer resume means less work for them. Don’t give them an easy reason to reject you out of hand. A creative resume that sets you apart from the competition will capture the attention of the hiring manager in that first, crucial glimpse.

This is not to say that your education and other relevant information should not be included. It should, as long as it strengthens your candidacy. Just make sure these details don’t overshadow your work experience. Here’s one way of doing it:

Notice how the CV starts with a summary, followed by her work experience, and then education and a list of skills and interests.

Here’s an extra tip : Delete those outdated credentials. No-one cares about your GPA, your SAT scores, or that irrelevant elective you took in High School.

Broaden Your Definition Of “Work Experience”

Work experience is not just the regular 9-to-5 jobs you’ve held. Freelance jobs, short term contracts, and even relevant voluntary work also count. If you’re a new graduate, the biggest mistake you can make is to leave your work experience section blank.

Your college internship shows the hiring manager that you have some experience in a professional setting and an understanding of workplace norms. Running communications for your voluntary organization demonstrates skills and dedication. In other words, experience is still experience.

Just don’t forget to follow the rule I explained above: only include it if you can make a compelling case for its relevance.

Include Links On Your Creative Resume

You’re only one of dozens, if not hundreds, of applicants for the same job. This means that hiring managers can’t spend a lot of time assessing each candidate’s application (remember the eye-tracking study?).

Therefore, you need to make the best use of the space you have to convince them that you’re the right candidate. This is where links can help you. If you include links in your resume to your online portfolio or projects you’ve worked on, the hiring manager can click on those once they’ve decided they are interested in knowing more about you. Proof of your skills is a powerful tool, and linking to work you’ve done allows you to provide that proof.

Don’t overload your resume with links, though! This will result in an eyesore of a resume that will most likely end up in the trash. Choose only links that demonstrate relevant skills and increase your chances of getting hired.

One tip that a surprising number of candidates forget: Make sure your links are typed correctly and clickable. If the hiring manager goes to look at your portfolio and the link doesn’t work, they won’t spend the time Googling your name to track it down. More likely, they’ll just move on to the next candidate. In addition, broken links indicate poor attention to detail, which is a big no-no in many jobs.

Leverage Numbers

Quantifying your accomplishments using specific numbers provides proof of your skills. With numbers, hiring managers can understand precisely what you’ve accomplished. Without them, they’re left with vague assertions of skills but little to back them up. The key is crafting a results-driven, creative resume that showcases your accomplishments.

Compare these two statements:

“I grew a marketing subscriber list from 100 to 7,000 in two months.”

“I worked at the company’s content marketing department.”

From a hiring manager’s perspective, the first statement is undoubtedly more powerful. It proves that you can walk the walk with those skills you’ve claimed to have!

Unsure how to quantify your accomplishments in your previous job? Return to the job description for the role you’re applying for and consider what are likely to be the key indicators of success.

You can also check out Austin's ResyBullet Tool , which will analyze your bullets and help you write more effective ones to better showcase results on your creative resume!

Here are some examples you may want to consider, depending on your field:

• New clients acquired
• Cost reductions or savings
• Sales revenue
• Increase in page views, social media followers, engagements, or other marketing metrics
• Customer satisfaction levels
• Customer complaints resolved

Then pick two or three of your most impressive quantifiable achievements, and include them on your resume.

Choose Your Words Wisely

Your resume is a professional document and is the first thing the hiring manager will see from you. Since you want to show that you’re serious about your job application, you must write your resume in a professional manner. That means a formal tone, professional language, and impeccable spelling and grammar.

Many otherwise strong candidates are let down by resumes laden with meaningless buzzwords. A few have likely snuck into your resume. Identify and remove them before you send your application!

CareerBuilder surveyed around 2,200 hiring managers and found that the most irritating overused phrase was “best of breed.” Mary Lorenz, a corporate communications manager at CareerBuilder, also cited “hard worker,” “go-getter,” and “strategic thinker” as words to avoid.

These terms should be avoided because, in addition to being overused and annoying, they are meaningless! Anyone can claim to be any of these things, and they are generally impossible to prove or disprove. Employers want to know what makes you unique and how you will add value to their organization.

While we’re at it, here are just a few of the other words and phrases you should avoid:

• Results-driven
• Highly qualified
• People person
• Digital native
• Growth hacking
• Thinking outside the box
• Exceptional communicator
• Customer-centric

Instead of stuffing your resume with these buzzwords, follow the other tips in this article to demonstrate your expertise, hard-working nature, and fantastic communication skills. In other words: show, don’t tell.

Make Your Creative Resume Look Nice

Your resume must appear clean, well-designed, and professional. This is especially true for those looking to land a job in creative industries, but it applies everywhere. Therefore, spend a few extra minutes to ensure your resume is well-presented and pleasing to the eye.

Here’s an example of a well-designed resume:

Notice how the elements are laid out neatly and in a way that is easy to read. The splash of color and the visual at the bottom make it stand out without going overboard.

Beware : there’s such a thing as being too creative with your resume. Multiple colors, quirky pictures, or too many different fonts say less “seasoned professional” and more “Junior High graphic design class project.” Keep it simple, but make sure it looks nice.

Oh, and in case you were considering sending in your resume printed out on fancy paper? Don’t. It’s unnecessary and, if anything, makes it look like you’re trying to cover up a sub-par application with flash instead of substance.

Your Resume Should Tell A Story

Your resume should tell the story of how you got to where you are and what makes you an ideal candidate for this job. You need to give them a strong sense of who you are and why you would excel at their company.

But how do you do that?

Utilize Austin's 3 elements of a resume:

• Quantitative Results
• Simple, Aesthetic Design That Hooks The Reader
• An “Interests” Section That’s Quirky, Unique, & Relatable

Don’t just repeat facts about your work history and education. Write them in a way that shows the hiring manager where you started, where you are now, how you got there, and where you’re headed. And of course, don’t forget to clearly show where their company and this role fits into the story.

For more tips on how to write a resume, check out Austin's job-winning resume writing strategies here !

Standing Out

Job-hunting can feel overwhelming, especially in the current climate. You might be feeling stressed or despairing at ever landing the perfect position. I understand that it can be difficult to write a creative resume and stand out when there are dozens or even hundreds of applicants vying for the same position. But challenging doesn’t mean it’s impossible!

Since your resume is the first thing a hiring manager sees, it’s the best place to start if you want to improve your chances of landing your dream job. So remember to include all the critical elements of a great resume:

• Include only the relevant details
• Highlight your work experience, broadening your definition to include freelance work, internships, voluntary positions, and traditional paid jobs.
• Customize your resume for every role you apply for.
• Include relevant links.
• Quantify your experience and skills with relevant figures.
• Make your resume look professional and pleasing to the eye.
• Avoid buzzwords and meaningless jargon.
• Tell a compelling story.

When you’re applying for a job, you want to stand out in the right way. One of the best ways to do that is by providing a killer resume paired with a great cover letter.

Follow these tips, add a little bit of perseverance, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. You might be surprised how quickly you land that ideal role.

Owen Baker is a content marketer for Voila Norbert. He has spent most of the last decade working online for a range of marketing companies. When he’s not busy writing, you can find him in the kitchen mastering new dishes.

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30+ Resume Objective Examples (Plus, Tips on How to Write Yours)

Resume objectives are a bit controversial. Some career experts see them as outdated, while others believe job seekers can still use them to their advantage. Although resume objective statements have slowly been replaced by resume summaries, they remain useful in certain situations—and that's why you should know how to write one, just in case.

For instance, if you're changing careers and your previous work experience doesn't quite match the new role you're after, an objective statement could help communicate your professional goals to the hiring manager. Likewise, if you're a recent graduate or looking to relocate, you could use this section of your resume to highlight these intentions.

We've gathered 32 resume objective examples—plus, some tips on how to craft one that grabs the hiring manager's attention.

What is a resume objective

A resume objective is a brief statement outlining your short-term career goals, usually one to two sentences long. It should be tailored to the specific job or industry you're pursuing and is placed at the top of your resume, just below the header.

What is a good objective for a resume, and when are they welcomed? That's what we'll show you in a moment.

When you should use a resume objective

Resume objectives aren't quite the norm these days, so they should be only used when you need to clarify why you're applying for that particular role or company. Here are three situations where using an objective statement is a good idea:

• If you're doing a career pivot: A resume objective can guide recruiters on your career goals and prevent you from being disqualified when transitioning to a new field.
• If you're changing locations: Applying for jobs outside your current state or city can leave recruiters uncertain about your location; a resume objective can clearly express your willingness to relocate.
• If you're a recent graduate: Since you likely have little to no work experience to show, a resume objective can give a glimpse into who you are and what you aim to achieve.
• If you've worked in a variety of roles: When your work history is all over the place, a resume objective statement can be a helpful tool to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and what you're looking for in your next role .

Resume objective vs. resume summary

A resume objective outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in a position, while a resume summary focuses on skills, accomplishments, education, and relevant experiences for the role.

“Think of the resume objective as your career aspiration and the summary as your professional snapshot,” says Angela Tait, People Operations Specialist and Founder of Tait Consulting . “The objective sets your sights forward, while the summary looks at your past and present achievements.”

How to write a resume objective

If you decide to write a resume objective, it'll be the first thing recruiters see on your resume, right after your name and contact information. This means their first impression will be based on how well-written your objective statement is. Here are key tips to do it right:

1. Mention your area of expertise

“Start by mentioning your area of expertise and the role you are applying for,” Tait says. This way, you let the employer know right away about your background and what you want to achieve professionally.

2. Show how you can add value to the company

Your objective statement—and your whole resume, actually—should be tailored to each job opening. “Personalize your resume objective by stating how you can add value to the company you're applying to,” Tait says. “For instance, ‘ Seeking to leverage my expertise in digital marketing to drive brand growth and engagement at XYZ Corp.’”

3. Highlight skills relevant to the role

Once again, to write an effective resume objective, keep in mind the role you're going for. “Focus on how your skills and interests align with that specific job opportunity,” says Conor Hughes, certified in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Consultant at SMB Guide .

For example, for a software developer, skills in programming with languages like Java, C++, and Python are pretty important. Meanwhile, a graphic designer should highlight technical skills in creating and editing visual projects using tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma.

4. Optimize your statement for ATS machines

These days, most resumes get scanned by an ATS robot before reaching human recruiters. So, it's crucial to optimize your objective statement for these ATS machines. How? “Use keywords from the job description to show you have the relevant abilities they're looking for,” Hughes says.

If a job posting specifies “experience in copywriting” and “SEO optimization” as requirements, you should incorporate these exact keywords in your objective statement—and wherever else they fit on your resume. Using just “SEO” or only “copywriting” might not be enough; precision is key.

Need some help? Here's how to read the job description the right way —so you can stop sending resumes into the void.

5. Make it as concise as possible

Recruiters go through resumes really fast—that's one of the reasons two-page resumes aren't usually recommended. When writing your resume objective, keep it concise. “To one or two sentences max,” Hughes says. Remember, the goal is to give enough information about why you're applying for that role, not to share your whole life history.

32 resume objective examples to guide you

Now that we've covered the basics, here are 32 good examples of objectives for resumes categorized by job title and different professional situations, like career pivoting and entry-level positions. Use these examples as a guide, and don't forget to inject your own personality and core information.

General resume objectives examples

1. career change.

Copywriter with five years of experience, now transitioning into the UX Writing field, looking to leverage my writing and content creation skills to create digital experiences that drive business growth. Strong background in content strategy and data-driven decision making.

Find UX writer jobs on The Muse »

2. Relocation

Experienced customer service representative relocating to New York in July, seeking employment with an established customer support agency. I bring my strong communication skills , conflict resolution and customer retention ability developed in seven years working in the industry.

Find customer service jobs on The Muse »

3. Entry-level

Creative marketing graduate seeking a social media assistant entry-level position at a fast-growing marketing agency. My goal is to apply my strong storytelling and creative writing skills to create impactful content for clients and foster professional development.

Find marketing jobs on The Muse »

Compassionate and enthusiastic elementary school teacher with four years of experience teaching young students. Seeking to leverage my creative ideas, multitasking and organizational skills to create a safe and stimulating environment where children can play and learn.

Find teacher jobs on The Muse »

Registered nurse with three years of experience in patient care , currently specializing in pediatric nursing. Seeking to join the Grey Hospital nursing team and bring my knowledge of patient care and my critical thinking skills to foster a safe and empathic environment for patients.

Find registered nurse jobs on The Muse »

6. Journalist

Seasoned journalist seeking a News Reporter position at the USPN channel. I bring my five years of experience working on live television, interviewing sources, gathering and reporting information in fast-paced environments.

Find journalist jobs on The Muse »

Seeking a litigation paralegal position at The Law Group. I bring my three years of experience in conducting legal research, processing legal documents, and witness preparation for deposition and trial.

Find lawyer jobs on The Muse »

8. Architect

Experienced architect relocating to Houston, Texas in August. In my 10 years of experience in the architecture industry I was able to work both in industrial and residential projects, holding high proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop.

Find architect jobs on The Muse »

9. Real estate specialist

Passionate and proactive real estate specialist with solid experience in lease negotiation and facility management. Looking for a similar role to manage a real estate portfolio, implementing strategies to improve profitability and cost effectiveness.

Find real estate jobs on The Muse »

10. Waiter/Waitress

Seeking a waitress position at a local, family-led restaurant where my two years of experience in customer service and hospitality industry would contribute to create an exceptional experience to customers, guests, and clients.

Find waiter/waitress jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for tech professionals

11. software engineer.

Software engineer with 5 years of experience in the banking industry, pivoting to the customer service industry to foster professional growth. Deep knowledge of object oriented programming, experienced with Java, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and relational database schema design.

Find software engineer jobs on The Muse »

12. Software developer

Computer science graduate seeking an entry-level position as software developer. I bring my experience with Git, Java, and Python, as well as strong documentation abilities and communication skills .

Find software developer jobs on The Muse »

13. Data scientist

Experienced data scientist, seeking a senior position in the e-commerce industry. My goal is to leverage my ability to write complex and efficient SQL queries to extract data and translate business needs into analytical frameworks.

Find data scientist jobs on The Muse »

14. SEO analyst

SEO analyst, passionate about SEO and digital audience growth. 7 years of experience with site migrations, SEO analytics tools (Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Google Analytics, and SEMRush), reporting and sharing data insights, and making data-driven decisions.

Find SEO analyst jobs on The Muse »

15. UI/UX Designer

Mid level UI/UX Designer, seeking employment in a fast-growing tech startup. Solid experience with user-centered design principles, knowledge of responsive design, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Find UI/UX Designer jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for creative jobs

16. content writer.

Results-driven content writer with two years of experience writing for blogs and websites. Skilled in SEO, creative copywriting, and storytelling, looking forward to applying my skills and creative ideas to help XYZ build an engaged audience.

Find content writer jobs on The Muse »

17. Graphic designer

Creative graphic designer seeking an entry level-position in the education industry. Proficient with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, and After Effects, quick learner with strong time management skills.

Find graphic designer jobs on The Muse »

18. Video editor

Outcome-oriented video editor, proficient with Final Cut, After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop. Seeking employment in the entertainment industry where I intend to apply my extensive experience in storytelling and project management to create engaging stories.

Find video editor jobs on The Muse »

19. Social media manager

Experienced social media professional, seeking a manager position at a high-growth company. I bring my in-depth knowledge of social media strategy and five years of agency experience creating content that is engaging and exciting to the community.

Find social media manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for administrative roles

20. front desk.

Highly energetic tourism and hospitality graduate, looking for a front desk clerk position. 1.5 years of experience in customer service. Strong time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to learn quick and adapt in fast paced environments.

Find front desk jobs on The Muse »

21. Receptionist

Looking for a receptionist position in the real estate industry. Three years experience in customer-facing roles, communication and leadership skills, ability to work with tight deadlines focusing on all aspects of a task or project.

Find receptionist jobs on The Muse »

22. Administrative assistant

Seeking an administrative assistant role in the healthcare industry. I bring five years of experience in customer service, advanced Excel skills, and ability to multitask to perform my duties in a timely and efficient manner.

Find administrative assistant jobs on The Muse »

23. Human resources

Human resources graduate, looking for an entry level human resources generalist position with ABC company to apply my strong verbal and written communication skills , analytical abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft applications to provide hands-on assistance to the HR team.

Find human resources jobs on The Muse »

24. Logistics

Logistics supervisor seeking a manager position at AABB company. I bring my extensive experience in global logistics operations and project management to enhance supply chain and logistics efficiency and achieve cost-effectiveness.

Find logistics jobs on The Muse »

25. Executive assistant

Seeking an executive assistant role at XYZ company. I'm an experienced professional with strong interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, and attention to detail to provide timely and high quality administrative office support to senior level leaders.

Find executive assistant jobs on The Muse »

26. Office manager

Experienced administrative assistant seeking an office manager position in a fast-paced work environment to apply my written communication skills, time management, prioritization, and planning abilities and provide exceptional service and foster professional growth.

Find office manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for sales jobs

27. sales assistant.

Problem solver and team player sales professional, seeking a sales assistant position in a challenging work environment. I bring my experience supporting high acquisition organizations, willingness to learn, and winning team spirit to support sales teams.

Find sales assistant jobs on The Muse »

28. Sales manager

Dynamic sales manager seeking employment in the pharmaceutical industry to develop strategic sales plans and achieve revenue and market share objectives. Two years of experience in pharmaceutical sales plus three years of experience in general sales, excellent communication and leadership skills.

Find sales manager jobs on The Muse »

29. Cashier

Recent high school graduate looking for a cashier position at a company with a culture of recognition and excellence. One year of experience in retail sales, strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to represent the company in a professional manner.

Find cashier jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for finance careers

30. banking.

Seasoned relationship banker looking to secure an investment banking analyst position at Bank of America. 15 years of experience in the banking industry, advanced knowledge of banking transactions, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to develop and expand relationships with stakeholders.

Find banking jobs on The Muse »

31. Accounting

B.S. graduate in accounting seeking an entry-level accounting associate position to use my growth mindset, desire to learn, and organizational skills to ensure financial goals are achieved and foster professional development.

Find accounting jobs on The Muse »

32. Financial analyst

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) looking to secure a senior position in a competitive and results-driven work environment. 10 years of experience in financial analysis in banking and technology industries, advanced Excel and SQL skills, and ability to articulate analysis outcomes and relevant insights.

Find financial analyst jobs on The Muse »

Key takeaways

Resume objectives aren't the favorite of most recruiters, but they still serve a purpose. If you're career pivoting, relocating, applying for your first job, or have a diverse professional background, an objective statement can help the hiring manager understand your career goals and how they align with the job opportunity.

However, in other circumstances, using a resume summary might be more appropriate. (Here are 20 resume summary examples to make writing your own easier .)