A personal resume is often the first touchpoint of contact between a candidate and a potential employer. Even in non-creative industries, a professionally designed resume is a crucial piece of self-promotion.

I teamed up with my friends from Thats Good HR, to offer some advice for both those employers and hiring managers seeking candidates and reviewing resumes, as well as for those candidates who are seeking employment. The resounding conclusion is that whether you are a creative type or not, a well-designed resume is appreciated in all industries.

Questions for Employers to Evaluate Candidate Resumes:

• Does the resume use a consistent font treatment throughout for headings and lists?
• Are dates, spacing and other details formatted in a similar style?
• Is information logically organized and grouped?

Overall consistency in the design of a resume indicates a candidate pays attention to even small details which will likely be reflected in their work ethic. It’s also key to showing a candidate has focus, they care about their work and they are serious about their employment search. Attention to organization and layout can also show their thoughtfulness and critical thinking skills.

If the candidate doesn’t take the process seriously or understand the importance of having a professional looking resume, the hiring manager won’t take them seriously.
-Tiffany Moore, Business Development, That’s Good HR

Tips for Candidates to Achieving a Professionally Designed Resume:

• Spell-check. It takes just a few minutes and can save you from embarrassing mistakes!
• Don’t go overboard with creative touches, unless it’s consistent and relevant with the job you are applying for and the industry. It can be distracting, for example, when applying for a medical position, however, it may be welcomed in a creative profession such as a web designer.
• Get a second opinion or two. Consider hiring a professional graphic designer to help you with the layout and typography selection of your resume. Or ask a friend or relative to review it before submitting it to a potential employer. It never hurts to have a second set of eyes take a look. They may catch something you didn’t notice before.
• Think of your resume as a reflection of your own personal brand. How well are you representing yourself?

Do you have tips for a professionally designed resume I didn’t cover? Share them in the comments below! Looking for a graphic designer to help you polish your own resume? Send K Design Co. a message.