5 creative elements NOT to have on your modern resume design
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Resume design has changed a lot over the past few years. A traditional resume design would have you fit everything into one column and ask you to fill every piece of available space. Modern resume designs, however, structure your resume more smartly.
As a graphic designer or creative professional, I would consider making your resume design, rather than relying on a template. Not only does this allow you to have a unique resume compared to other job applicants, but it also allows your personal brand to show through.
If you’re having trouble determining your personal brand and what relevant experience to use for your resume, I’d suggest looking through Stand Out. Not only will it help you develop a portfolio, for those of you who need it, but you’ll also find ways to create an experience that doesn’t revolve around an office.
While the design of a modern resume might offer more unique and creative ways to showcase your experience, many resume templates are adding unnecessary and even unprofessional additions to your resume.
I’ve seen common design elements pop up when looking into resume templates. Whether you buy a template off of Etsy or find one through Microsoft Word, your resume design template should avoid the following design elements.
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Photos
This is a modern resume design trend that I’ve seen popping up for the last few years.
I do, however, have a reason why you shouldn’t have your headshot on your resume. Not only does it not help the software systems read over your resume when you apply to jobs, but it could also put you at a disadvantage.
While I wish it weren’t the case, many companies and hiring departments can employ an unconscious bias depending on how you look. By no means do I support it, but it is a possibility that you don’t want to implement ahead of an interview.
Having a headshot for your portfolio or other professional collateral would be appropriate, but leave it off your resume.
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Objectives
You’ve probably seen these objectives or profiles on modern resume designs as well. They tell an employer what you do and what you want to accomplish for your career.
I’ve always heard when applying for a job, your main objective is to get the job. Writing another objective or profile subtracts your focus on wanting the job you are applying for.
There are so many ways your objective or profile can expose a weakness or another directive that you want to take in your career that doesn’t align with the job you are applying for. It’s too much of a risk when submitting your application, I’d suggest leaving it off your resume design entirely.
If you feel like an objective or profile is an important part of your application, try incorporating it into your cover letter. This is a great way to incorporate a learning experience or showcase your skills that are important to your professional career.
References upon request or otherwise
I’ve seen some resume designs that have a section set apart for references.
You should have at least 3 references for your job application but you shouldn’t devote valuable space on your resume to showcase them. Whether you list your references or disclaim ‘references upon request.’
References will almost always be requested in your job application. If you want to attach another document with your references, you are free to do so, but you should not include them on your resume.
The way I see it, references detract from your accomplishments and experience. While your references should be singing you accolades when called upon, you divert the hiring manager or employer from you to your references by having it on your resume. Having it on another document or section lets your resume stand alone.
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Irrelevant experience
I’ve seen many resumes, modern and traditional, that are written just trying to fill a page. When you're starting your career, that could be expected, but you should lead with the most relevant, as well as recent, experience to the job you’re applying towards.
I’m not saying you should omit work experience, especially if you are changing industries, but you should be conscious of what you bring to the table with each job experience you are listing.
Soft skills, like customer service and management, are great additions to a modern resume. That’s not to say hard, or technical and industry-specific, skills won’t help you land a job, but soft skills are almost universally transferable. Don’t throw away all of your professional experience, even if it’s not directly related to your job applications now.
I like to keep a document that stores all of my professional experience, all the way back to when I was involved in the food industry, despite knowing I would hopefully never have to experience it again. All of my experience has helped me progress throughout my career and has been relevant at a point in my life, so I take what I need from my previous jobs that will apply to my new job.
Likes or interests outside of the workplace
I’ve seen this debated in professional circles, but I suggest you forego adding personal likes or interests on your resume.
Some applicants will add personal likes and interests to their resumes to show individualism or the personality of the applicant. In theory, this could be a good idea. It shows more about the applicant than the typical resume would. That being said, it could do more harm than good, by seeming unprofessional by people reviewing the resume.
My thought on adding like and interests is that it fills space on a resume. It’s not necessarily relevant to the application process and should be avoided.
I’ve commonly heard this question asked in the interview process, so you can showcase these likes and interests once you secure an interview, but try to avoid putting them on your resume design.
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