Thoughts on designer resumes?

calivianya, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2013

I think you could just as easily make one that looks like that yourself. I personally wouldn't want to spend money on a resume, but then again, I order delivery pizza every now and then so I shouldn't judge anyone else for convenience decisions.

I really don't think a pretty resume would help at all if the contents of the resume aren't what the company is looking for, so I'm not sure this would help you at all in your job search, versus putting the exact same content in a plainer resume.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2013

I don't think it'll help. Make sure you save it as a PDF version when you upload it to attempt to save the format. Also, I've noticed that some companies convert resumes to text so you may not even get the fancy resume to the HR person.

coast2coast · Nov 28, 2013

Pretty but not professional.

zeus&lincoln · Nov 29, 2013

Please do not do this! First of all it is an expense you do not need. Furthermore, I personally think it looks unprofessional. A resume should be clear, easy to read and direct. No fancy fonts or graphics and on resume paper (if you are handing it to anyone). I have had to turn in resumes as a former educator and recently as a GN. Essentially both employers although looking for different things, wanted the resume fashioned in a similar manner. They want the nuts and bolts of who you are (education, work experience, certs, affiliations). No need to overdo it! If you have what they are looking for, you will get called for an interview and you will be able to express yourself in more detail in that meeting. Best of luck!

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2013

I liked it! Go for it!

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2013

Just keep it easy to read and on one page. Best wishes!!!

DoeRN · Nov 29, 2013

I was in management for a while in healthcare and before I became a nurse in a different field. When HR did their initial interview and passed the résumé over to me I scanned through it for job experience and details about that experience. I rarely looked at how fancy it was. I also liked it to be straight to the point and easy to read. I also didn't like multiple pages.

It's up to you of course but make sure it's to the point and not a lot of fluff.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

RunawayN · Nov 29, 2013

Thanks everybody! I'm still thinking about the pros and cons. The biggest con, it's not editable so if I want to change something, I have to ask them to do it.

I am designing my own resume on word that's simply yet pretty and fun. Maybe I'll post a when I'm done to show you how it looks!

enuf_already · Nov 29, 2013

Many places in my area only accept applications online. In some instances, if you uploaded the example, it would be different all right. It would be a scrambled illegible mess! You wouldn't get through the door to hand them the fancy resume because the computer would reject you before you got an interview.

Honestly, save your money. I have seen approximately 20 resumes In the last few weeks of nurses who made it past Human Resources to the interview. They all brought simple resumes on printer paper and the only one that stood out was the one with several spelling errors. Otherwise all we really cared about was the interview. Impress potential employers with the content, not the layout of your resume. Good luck!

elkpark · Nov 29, 2013

Thanks everybody! I'm still thinking about the pros and cons. The biggest con, it's not editable so if I want to change something, I have to ask them to do it.
I am designing my own resume on word that's simply yet pretty and fun. Maybe I'll post a when I'm done to show you how it looks!

"Pretty and fun" is not going to help you at all in nursing. "Simple and professional" is a much better approach. I've been involved in hiring a few times over the years, and, in my experience, a "pretty and fun" resume' is taken as a bad sign. Also, as noted, more and more emloyers are going to an "online only" application process, and they often specify exactly which (limited number of) fonts you can use, graphics don't "translate," etc. Anything fancy ends up as an illegible mess on their end.

The flashiest I've ever gotten is to use pale blue paper rather than white or cream for my CV and cover letter. That kind of thing is as far as I would recommend going.

The content of your resume' and a well-written cover letter will get you a lot farther than a flashy resume'.

canigraduate · Nov 29, 2013

Hi! I was a designer before I was a nurse. I have a VERY simple, yet elegant, resume. Every time I have used it, I have been offered the job. So I think I am qualified (LOL) to speak about this.

1) If you want a pretty resume, make one. For YOURSELF. Don't give it out. It will feel good to make it and give you some confidence in resume-building. Just don't give it to anyone.

2) K.I.S.S. - Keep it simple, silly.

3) Only use crazy fonts for your name. Use clean and clear fonts that will be on everyone's computer for the body of the resume. Remember, most people only have the basic fonts that come with their work computer, so stick with the classics like Helvetica, Arial, Calibri, etc.

4) If you MUST use special fonts, make sure to upload your resume as a PDF with the fonts included, or it won't be readable. Really annoying.

5) Make sure your font is large enough to read. My personal rule is nothing less than 10pt, but some fonts are hard to read and should be a 12pt minimum.

6) Leave lots of white space. Resume readers have tired eyes. Make it easier on them. No one wants to read paragraph after paragraph. Give 'em lots of bullets.

7) Bold important information like licenses and certifications. This draws the eye and emphasizes the most important parts. DON'T bold everything, because then nothing looks important. It just makes it harder to read and the reviewer thinks you're dumb.

Good luck!!