Dream Job: 6 Ways to craft the perfect resume for the creative industry
Gone are the days when formal, one-dimensional CVs got you the job. Here’s how to stand out amongst the crowd with your smashing resume!
Let’s be real – no employer is going to be impressed by a resume that’s a mere table of personal information and dully presented reasons for why they should hire you. No matter how detailed you are in giving your address or how orderly your career record is, those aren’t the main factors that are going to land you your job. Between an innovative, expressive CV and an immaculate but dreary resume, which one do you think your potential boss is going to be inclined towards?
1. Play with colours
Who says only a black and white resume is acceptable? You can easily incorporate colours into your CV while remaining professional. This not only adds vibrancy and energy to your resume, it can also serve as a clear guide through the different components. That being said, it’s best to stick to tasteful colours such as pastels and neutrals (no neons or hot pinks!). Did you know that colour is even said to be able to evoke an emotional response from viewers? So, if you do land the job, you’ll know what contributed to your success.
2. Use creative fonts
Gone are the days when Arial and Times New Roman ruled the world. These humdrum fonts may be the most clean-cut ones, but they definitely don’t grant you any brownie points in the ‘interesting department’. Why not stand out from the crowd by going for fonts that flaunt personal style while still retaining tastefulness and readability? Take it from us, Didot, Garamond and Cambria are fonts you should definitely consider.
3. Stylise your CV
The layout/style of your CV is as, if not more, important than the content. Not only does it speak volumes about your personality, it also showcases your creativity and IT skills. From minimalistic to colour blocks, there are a myriad of styles by which you can craft your resume. If the company you’re pursuing is quite the unconventional one who highly prizes wit and innovation, a flowchart CV may just blow their socks off.
4. Be straightforward
When it comes to your CV, there’s no time to beat around the bush, just get straight to the point. Lengthy anecdotes and excessive elaboration are a huge no-no. That’s why your choice of vocabulary is extremely crucial. Use words that encapsulate your meaning, keeping your resume concise and succinct. Also, keep your personal information short and sweet. The only people who really need to know about that are your mailman and online retailers.
5. Add infographics
Infographics? In a resume? That’s a sure stand-out. Infographics are not only way more interesting to read, they can bring across your message more effectively and efficiently. Not to mention, it’s a magnificent display of your proficiency in digital graphics and ability to utilise visuals, which could be of advantage to you in your career in the firm.
6. Infuse character and flavour in writing
Sure, politically correct statements and formal language will promise you an impeccably refined CV, but it will also make sure that you sound just like any other applicant in the pool of dozens of others. Your potential boss wants to be given an insight to your personality, which could possibly win him/her over. Don’t be afraid to showcase your personal style and subdued humour in your writing – your potential boss may just be kept at the edge of his/her seat while reading it.
Lim Han
Photos: Pinterest
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