How to Make a Colorful Resume for Free
Depending on the type of job you are applying for, you might wish to make your resume a bit more colorful. While a touch of color in the header or on a graphic can help make your resume more eye-catching, avoid adding too much color, as the most important thing is that your resume is well-written.
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Instructions
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Open your word processor and start a new document. Set the text to centered and create a header with your name and contact information. Be creative with your name, as it can be in a larger and different font than the other information, as well as a different color. Highlight your name and click "Format" and then click "Fonts" to change the color and style. Be sure that whichever font you choose is still legible.
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Go to "Insert" and choose "Pictures" or "Clip Art" to add a colorful image to your header. Be sure that the color of your text matches one of the colors in the image for continuity.
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Set the text to be left-justified. The font should be 10- or 12-point size, and is usually either Times New Roman or Courier. Choose a format for your section titles, which should be consistent from section to section. Use all caps, bold, underlined, and/or a new font to type "Education," "Work Experience," "Skills," "Awards" and any other sections you want to include. If you choose a different color for the titles, be sure they also coordinate with the color of the text and images in your header.
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Fill out each section. Typically, the text for the main part of your resume is black or dark gray, as these are easier on the recipient's eyes. Write your education and work experience information in reverse chronological order beginning with your most recent degree and current job position. Include the names and locations of companies and universities, degree and job titles, and any important dates. Use the word processor's bullet point feature to list the items in your "Skills" and "Awards" sections.
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Tips & Warnings
Print a sample copy on the exact paper you will be using, as some resume paper isn't bright white and may cause the colors to change.
Consider whether or not you or the recipient will need to photocopy your colorful resume, as the colors may not copy well.
Do not make a colorful resume for employers that ask for resumes to be submitted via online forms, as they usually do not cut and paste correctly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit freude beim job image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
