Nobody likes résumés. Rarely is creating your résumé an exhilarating experience. But, maybe that’s because you’re thinking about it wrong.
Traditionally, they tend to be boring and unimaginative. Many people and companies believe there’s a single, acceptable format résumés should follow and anything not conforming to Industry Standards is nonprofessional. I think there’s more to it than that.
Welcome to a two part series on A Better Approach to Résumés. I’m going to break down what makes a résumé great…or rather, what will make you stand out.
The Truth is Simple
Create your résumé based on how you want to be perceived. The number one thing you’re trying to do is be remembered, so create something different. Think carefully about the job or industry for which you’re applying and how you want to be introduced.
Most of them, irrespective of industry, tend to look, read, and feel similar. Although, the best résumés, the non-common résumés, all have one thing in common… They make the job seeker memorable.
It’s easy to say only designers and artists can have cool résumés, but it’s not true. Sure, there are a few industries where a “designey” one might not be appropriate, but even taking the step to bring some style to a simple résumé can have dramatic effect.
This is the typical résumé format, as it has looked for 50+ years.
And here is the identical information, but with a bit more thought about design.
And again, here is the exact same information, but with a bit more of a designerly touch.
Let’s put some old dogma to rest.
This is going to be controversial and downright wrong to some, but I’m the one writing this, so I’m giving you my opinion: companies don’t really care about your GPA, your awards, school clubs, and organizations. Companies care about what you can do. Now. For them. And, as an exceptional added benefit, how well you can express yourself.
Anyone who believes a traditional, old school résumé is more valuable than a well-thought-out and well-designed one is missing the point. There is an internet idiom, “Content is king.” Sure. But, design gets content read. Period.
Résumés historically follow a design created using a typewriter with extremely limited options. Most of them are still designed using a word processing program with little design thought given to formatting. Using an outdated, passé delivery option is doing you no favors.
The internet is a wealth of examples and inspiration for well-designed résumés. Some are complicated, amazing designs created by professional designers and some are templates you can download and customize. Find a creative approach that represents you and your area of skills.
Format
Remember though, someone has to read your résumé, so make it simple. Send it as a PDF. DO NOT SEND FILES IN APPLICATIONS unless specifically asked. This means don’t send an MS Word File, or Adobe InDesign, or anything that requires a platform application.
Wanna go a step further? Create a complimentary webpage. This allows your information to be shared with potential screeners simply and as an added bonus, you can update it as needed. Just add your URL and contact email into it and this webpage can be the perfect place to show examples of work and experience that don’t fit into the constraints of the résumé.
If you choose to send a printed résumé, have it well printed by a nice printer on good quality paper and have it delivered in a non-folded envelope with a cover letter, hand signed.
In the next installment of our résumé series, we’ll have the dreaded grammar talk, a chat about cover letters, and a warning about how sometimes that memorable résumé you design might be a little too… memorable.
Dave Woodruff
Dave is one of the founding partners of meltmedia and currently serves as our Chief Creative Officer. He has an affinity towards good wine and fish and chips. He can usually be seen yelling, "Who's going to Four Peaks with us?!" throughout the office every friday at noon.