If you are afraid of adding graphic elements to your resume, Career Thought Leaders Career Brainstorming Day has some great ideas!
Leading industry experts gathered to summarize and report on trends in resume development and job-search strategy.

Infographics are becoming more popular in resumes, leadership bios, and one-page achievement statements. They also appear frequently on mobile documents, such as mobile documents, leadership bios, and leadership bios. Hyperlinks, graphs, and charts are all being used to make documents stand out.
A document that was once simply a reverse-chronological listing of accomplishments and employment is now undergoing a major overhaul. This could mean that you need to explore new territory if you’re looking to refresh your resume for job searches or as a networking tool.

What type of design elements or graphics might you use on your resume?

A chart or graph

This could be a great opportunity for you if your industry is in sales, marketing, or finance. Pictures speak a thousand words. Charts on resumes have been used to show sales growth, new income generation, and dollars saved. Charts and graphs are quick to get to the point and show success.

An infographic

Infographics are visually appealing and convey information quickly. Are there any symbols, pictures, or other graphic elements that you can use to communicate your value quickly?

A Logo

It’s equally effective on nursing resumes than it is on bartender resumes. A small logo or photo that you can include on your resume (that does not infringe copyright) could be a little differentiator. It is important to convey value quickly. A logo or small image might be enough to help readers quickly identify you with their industry.

Some color!

Contrary to popular belief, color isn’t the resume’s savior. Your resume could stand out from a sea of gray and black by adding some color. Although I wouldn’t recommend that you cover your resume with all the colors of the rainbow, unless you are in a creative profession, I can tell you that it won’t hurt to add a bit of color.

Writer’s tip: Match the color of your resume to the corporate logo or branding color. This tactic is used by many resume writers to great effect.

A Custom Letterhead

If you find the other design ideas above a bit too extreme for your needs, you might consider creating a customized letterhead with your name and contact information. This unique design can be used on all correspondence, including professional reference sheets and cover letters.

No matter what design you choose, remember the first rule in resume creation: “Know your audience!”

These suggestions may not be suitable if you work in an extremely conservative industry. However, I can say that I have worked with clients who were hesitant to use them but brave enough to try them. After landing their first interview faster than expected, they were the first to admit that they were wrong!

You have to be creative to show your value in a way that is both attractive and well-written.

Catharine is a Certified Professional resume writer associated with the National Resume Writing Association. She currently serves as Director of Career Services and Advising for Graceland University in Iowa. She specializes in Dream Development, Trail Blazing, and Courageous Self Exploration. She is also a regular writer for a private career advisory company and is skilled at helping professionals across North America achieve their career goals.