A stylish resume template helps you stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market where hundreds of applicants are vying for the best open positions. Especially in creative fields such as graphic design, a stylish resume demonstrates your design capabilities. If you are in a creative field and choose a highly simplistic resume template, the hiring manager might wonder why you don’t take the opportunity to show off your skills.
Another reason stylish resumes are a win is they can capture the attention of human resources (HR) managers for longer. The more time a recruiter spends reading your resume, the greater your chances of getting an interview.
However, busy graphics, overly bold colors, and fancy fonts that are difficult to read will distract hiring managers and can work against you. If you are applying for a more traditional role, such as an engineer, store manager, or bank teller, opt for a basic or minimalist resume.
Stylish resumes are ideal for creative professionals and those applying for especially competitive jobs who want their resumes to stand out. However, proceed with caution when selecting a stylish resume template.
There’s a balance to strike between standard style and resumes with overbearing graphics that take away from the content. Readability and a format that showcases your skills and experiences are still the most important factors when selecting any resume template, including a stylish one.
Your stylish resume should include these sections, clearly marked with headings:
Add design elements that reflect your personality and style, such as a logo. Limit colors to no more than two, and use a consistent design throughout your resume so it looks polished and professional. Bullet points help organize content, and infographics tell a visual story of your skills and experience.
Keep it simple with fonts and formatting, and avoid unnecessary personal information such as age, marital status, or children.
A stylish resume template includes graphic design touches and subtle use of color to stand out. This type of resume might also include a personal logo and infographics. The template is a balance between visually interesting and professionally sophisticated.
Explain the major elements unique to this type of template, for example:
Top 10 parts of a professional resume template:
Top four reasons to choose a stylish layout:
Maximize a stylish resume template by striking a balance between creative design and a professional look. Use design elements when appropriate to break up text or add visual interest. However, avoid heavy graphics and limit color choices to no more than two so the design does not distract hiring managers from your content.
Incorporating plenty of white space will result in a clean, fresh look that allows recruiters to digest information such as key skills, professional experience, and education. With this type of resume template, think “subdued stylish.” Leverage bullet points and incorporate headings to organize your information.
Looking for a different resume template? Check out this list:
| ATS-friendly | Basic |
| College | Creative |
| Entry-Level | First Job |
| General (Universal) | Hybrid |
| Internship | Minimalist |
| Modern | Professional |
A stylish resume template showcases creativity for professionals in fields such as graphic design. If you are in a career that requires using design software such as Adobe InDesign, a stylish resume can speak volumes about your layout experience. However, if you are in a more traditional occupation such as banking, insurance, or mechanical engineering, you’ll be better served by a resume template that does not include extra flair.
A fancy resume with flash graphics is not needed to stand out or get an interview. Sure, you could load up your resume with beautiful fonts and visuals. But hiring managers prefer a straightforward look that emphasizes your skills and experience so they can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the job opening. When selecting a stylish resume, seek a balance between an appealing design and a clean-lined organized template.
A stylish resume template is a professional approach if you work in a creative field. But even then, limit color choices, graphics, and elements like infographics. The best resumes are clean, focused on content, include bullet points for readability, and do not distract HR managers with overbearing colors or graphics. When implemented with care, a stylish resume can make a professional impression and stand out from the crowd. But don’t go overboard.
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.
