May I welcome another guest contributor to my blog, Angelica Jennsen. Angela is an experienced Marketing Specialist with vast IT experience and is currently employed by Seven Spots. Enjoy reading Angela’s article as follows…

We all know the mantra that a good resume can get your foot in the door of employment. Online resources provide us with ample templates and examples demonstrating how a good resume should look like. If you are bored with a ‘traditional’ resume design, a decorative resume might be the way to go. A re-vamped and eye-catching resume might be a particularly good option for applicants targeting the creative industry, such as graphic arts and design. As with any other resume, there are several mistakes which could jeopardise your chances to impress a potential employer. Below, we list the 7 most common decorative resume pitfalls to avoid if you really want the job.

1. Don’t overdo it!
This is perhaps the most fundamental rule to follow once you decide that a decorative resume is for you. A common saying that ‘less is more’ often holds for other areas of life, and so it does for resume writing. While no doubt you want to impress the potential employer with your creativity, don’t let the form triumph over substance!

2. Impact
No matter how stylish your resume, if it doesn’t fit the company’s profile, you’re likely to be sent on a wild goose chase. Thus, we recommend that you do some research first. What design does the company use? Check out their logo, their business cards, and web profile, and you might hit home.

3. Choose the colours wisely
Psychology research has found that colours are a strong element of non-verbal communication. In the western culture, colours carry important social meanings which you should not underestimate when designing your resume. Don’t be blinded – colours do matter!

4. Font is your ally
Ok, Times New Roman might be safe, but just as the name suggests, it is pretty ancient. Graphic design software, as well as simple text editors offer a great range of fonts which could add character to your decorative resume. But before you decide which font is ‘you’, the fundamental rules apply: it should be clear, easy to read, and just the right size.

5. Paper size matters!
While we recommend that your resume is eye catching, an awkward paper size might do more harm than good. Paper size standard in Australia is ‘A4’, in North America, ‘Letter’. After all, the right resume size is the first indicator that you are indeed a good ‘fit’ for the job.

6. Before you print…
No matter how attractive your resume design, it might all go down the drain if you choose the wrong paper. Here, balance is key. Rich design goes better with heavier paper, and vice versa. But of course, common sense applies: cardboard or papier-mâché will do no good.

7. Correct spelling and grammar
It is shown that typos and poor grammar are the most common reasons why even the best-looking resumes end up in the rubbish bin. In addition to the general aesthetics, a perfectly spelled resume shows that you are careful, and pay attention to details. Proofreading is a must!

Cheers,

Annie Cerone