Making a resume "stand out"-colors, fonts, etc.

[Mishl029]

Hello all,

I'm applying for another job, and I want to tweak my resume so it stands out from the pack. In addition to editing the content, I wanted to experiment with a new layout.

I've been doing some research, reading past threads on this topic and so on, and I cannot seem to get a bottom line on this. Some people say a little color is okay, some say absolutely no color. I wouldn't go crazy on the fonts, but I think using two tastefully and consistently can make the eye flow well over the page. I wanted to try using a (slightly) differently organized layout than the traditional, while still sticking to traditional content.

My fear is this is going to have the opposite effect than what I want, that hiring managers will react negatively instead of it catching their eye. They read so many, and jobs can be competitive, I'm just trying to have a fighting chance.

Thanks for your input :)

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Not recommended as often résumés are scanned sometimes to an OCR reader. These cannot decipher fancy fonts (need plain text fonts) and translate garbled. Especially if two different fonts are used.

If you want to bring a unique resume in person, take that risk but colors are often distracting. It would be different for an arts, graphic arts or advertising job but honestly not recommended in healthcare.

Let your credentials & experience speak for you.

I would put the effort into an awesome cover letter and polite follow up (thank you notes, etc).

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

If you are going to hand in a paper resume, a good way to make it stand out is to use high quality resume paper, maybe cream instead of white. I would not use non-traditional fonts or colors.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

I second both of the previous posts. The use of multiple fonts and colours will make you resume stand out, but not in a good way. You don't want to be thought of as immature or flakey, or lacking substance, but that's likely how you'll be perceived based solely on a piece of paper. You'd be better off, as cayenne06 says, using a high-quality cream or off-white paper, black type and either Arial, Courier or Times New Roman for your font. Your choice of keywords will make your case for you - use action words to describe your experience and your strengths. Instead of saying something like: "worked on a high-dependency unit for brain-injured adults" you could say, "provided ongoing assessment, planning and implementation of complex care to brain-injured adults". See the difference?

[msygrnbw]

I feel like what would make you stand out more than colors and fonts is taking the time to figure out who the nurse manager of the unit is and asking if she has a few moments sometime just to talk to you, or the nurse recruiter or educator. Or honestly anyone who can affect the decision of the hiring manager or at least get your resume out there in front of them. Sometimes they get so many applications that many never even make it into the hands of someone who could consider you, but if you spent five minutes in their office telling them why you are a good fit for their facility briefly and showing a lot of interest, they could call HR and get your resume sent up.

Plus, I agree with the pp that a great cover letter and thank you are really important too.

[trishmsn]

I agree with everyone who has responded, and would add to keep the resume SHORT with lots of white space. Use phrases instead of complete sentences where it is appropriate, and know that whoever is reading it will not be thrilled to pick it up and decide in 10 seconds that it is too long and crowded. And please PLEASE proof carefully for spelling errors, especially the kind that spell-check can overlook!! Have a good friend read over your very best copy before you print and send it, on heavy resume paper (cream, linen, or very pale gray). Tailor the resume and the cover letter to the buzz words and requirements in the ad. Good Luck!

[Mishl029]

Thank you all! I appreciate the advice, it was very helpful.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Your resume stands out when it is easy to read, free of errors and contains attributes that the employer is looking for, attributes listed that closely match the job description.

Weird colours and fonts will not get you noticed. Your resume should be on clean white paper, 12 point foint (with the exception of headings maybe) and no more than 2 pages. Bulleted points are helpful. The employer does not have time to read lengthy descriptions.

Read the values and mission statement of the organization to which you are applying and determine how these are reflected in your resume and cover letter. That's another method to help your resume stand out.

[NewRN089]

Also- use action verbs and bullet statements when describing what you did in your former jobs.

If mentioning previous non-nursing jobs, emphasize customer service and teamwork. This skills always transfer and are key to getting hired.

The managers want to know that you will fit into their organization. They want positive, teachable, flexible, team players. For the new grad, nursing skills are mostly interchangeable in a typical med-surg job.

Stand out by appearing a good fit for their team.