Answer:

The answer is YES.  As long as the use of color in your resume doesn’t interfere with readability, and enhances the professional appeal of your resume, then color is an extremely powerful tool for differentiating your resume from other applicants.  Before deciding to add color to your resume, be sure you are aware of guidelines and consequences of using color if it is not done professionally.

Any problems with using color in resumes?

If you use color in your resume it must be done properly.  The small number who criticize the use of color typically cite that color and graphics can make resumes appear 'garish'.   The reality is that in a lot of cases this is very true - it's logical as you have people with no creative expertise trying to create something visually appealing - it just doesn't work.

However, for those that use color correctly - the results are extremely rewarding. If you are attempting to add color to your resume and have no design or recruitment experience, then play it safe and either get your resume professionally designed, or design it yourself and check the finished resume with a recruiter. 

Created by Designers, approved by recruiters

We understand how to use color in your resume.  All our resume templates have been created by Designers and have been approved by Recruiters.  Our templates have been proven to work. They are visually eye-catching and professional without sacrificing formatting and readability.

Guidelines to using color in resumes

The use of color in your resume:

1. The use of color must not appear as 'poor taste', 'tacky' or 'garish' (avoid cartoon images and fonts)

2.  Mustn't interfere with 'readability' (either on screen or print version):
     a)  Text shouldbe darker than the back ground (ie. avoid white text on a dark background - headings are an exception)   
     b)  All sections of the resume must be easily identified (ie objective, experience, education etc)     
     c)  Avoid graphics or images behind text (except headings)

3.  Make sure the file size isn't too large to send to recruiters, or upload to job banks

4.  If using images, simplistic images ie. logos, cut-out shapes  or block colors are preferred as they are less visually distracting and are less cluttered in appearance

5.  Do not used textured backgrounds or patterns behind the body text,  # 1 is always readability

6.  Also try printing your resume in black and white. It should still look good and be just as easy to read as it is in color

7.  When printing always use plain paper, never use textured paper with a background motifs, marble effects or speckles.  Photocopiers and scanners try to interpret the texture / speckles as and dots as letters. Which will significantly impair readability and the overal professionalism of your resume.

See our 'Recruiter Approved' COLOR RESUMES >>

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