Keep it simple or stand out: Scanning through creative resumes

Are resumes a thing of the past? With the rise of skills-based hiring, the debate on their relevance continues to make headlines. 

Text-heavy resumes have failed to make a mark on 81% of recruiters in India, a survey by communication platform Canva finds. While 60% of the surveyed jobseekers were content with their resume, around 70% hiring managers thought otherwise. They gave a nod to interactive resumes with 66% of them preferring visual elements like images and graphics, and 61% favouring colours. 

So, between keeping it simple and jazzing it up — which type of resume takes the cake? We ask recruiting and resume experts to share their insights in this article.

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Room for two?

Jobseekers are often presented with the dilemma of picking between a traditional, simple resume and a creative one. And according to resume writer Shilpa Laharwal, both formats have their merits. The choice ultimately depends on the role and industry you are targeting, along with your personal preference. 

Also, don’t forget the application tracking system (ATS). Resumes with clear formatting, standard fonts, and devoid of complexity are ideal for industries heavily dependent on ATS, says Amrita Kolay, resume writer and job search strategist. Resumes incorporating infographics and icons, on the other hand, are effective in creative fields like graphic design and marketing, she adds. 

Her recommendation? “Maintain two resumes: an ATS-friendly one for online job applications to prioritise simplicity and easy parsing, and a creative version to share directly with decision-makers. This dual approach has proven effective in numerous cases,” she says. 

The content, however, is paramount, she adds. “A visually stunning resume can grab attention, but the substance of the content is what sustains that interest. The content should be written strategically to highlight achievements, skills, and unique qualities.”

Laharwal concurs sharing that the focus should be on clarity, readability, and content over any design or style. “Overly complex designs or excessive graphics can distract from the content and make it harder for recruiters to extract essential information,” she adds. 

💡Read more insights from Shilpa Laharwal on how to showcase your projects through your resumes   

Pluses and minuses

Understanding the differences between the two resume formats can help you make an informed decision, says Harliien Man, Founder of Unbounce Careers and a digital marketing career coach. Drawing a comparison, she shares the different pros and cons of simple versus creative resumes:

💡 Craft a better resume with these additional tips from Harliien Man.

Ideas that stick

While these work for online submissions, direct outreach requires additional effort to stand out, says Kolay. And that’s when out-of-the-box measures by jobseekers come into the picture. 

From creating an 11-page deck for a copywriting role to a catchy email subject line and online videos, candidates in India have been rising to the job-hunting challenge. 

But exercise caution, Kolay stresses. “Make sure that the idea is within professional boundaries and it’s crucial to balance creativity with an understanding of the professional context to avoid negative perceptions.”

Different formats, videos, and memorable pitches in a competitive job market definitely get brownie points. “This extra effort signals genuine interest and a proactive approach, qualities often appreciated by recruiters,” she adds.  

IQVIA’s Associate HRBP Niralee Chauhan thinks of video resumes as an interesting concept. But in the seven years of her human resources journey, she is yet to come across one!

So, does a resume also double as a personal brand?

The content of a resume plays a crucial role in personal branding, says Kolay. “The narrative should not only list achievements but also tell a compelling story about the individual’s journey, values, and professional growth,” she adds. Through creative resumes, you can strategically utilise visual elements to showcase specific skill sets and create a distinct identity. 

This acts as a reflection of your personality, creativity, and attention to detail, Laharwal says. 

According to Man, however, creative resumes may not always serve as the best tool for personal branding.

“This is because many candidates mistakenly treat their resume as an extension of their portfolio, blurring the lines between showcasing skills and demonstrating work. For most professional fields, combining a simple resume with a separate portfolio is recommended,” she adds.

Catch the drift

Providing the recruiter’s viewpoint on crafting resumes, Chauhan suggests limiting the number of pages to two maximum and including keywords. "Add the experience, education, achievements in ascending order, and personal information like date of birth or address should be avoided except for when asked during the interview. Share it only if you’re comfortable,” she says.

Cognizant Softvision’s HR Specialist Nitumoni Gogoi suggests keeping the descriptions concise and checking for any grammatical errors. Keeping the tone professional, and adding an impactful short summary definitely helps, she adds. 

Here are some more actionable tips from the five experts to craft an impactful CV: 

📖 Focus on your career story and your purpose.

🧵 Tailor your document based on the target role. 

💯 Quantify your achievements with numbers, percentages, or measurable outcomes to provide a clear picture of the impact you created. 

📦 Organise the sections highlighting the relevant details first.

🎨 Opt for a layout that is easy to read and navigate — use bullet points, headings, and white space. 

📌 Click here to read the previous edition on building an effective work-relationship with the manager. 

💬 What is the hiring criteria like in the content creation space? Slayy Point’s Co-Founder Gautami Kawale shares her thoughts in this post. 

💬 A tip to land jobs? Treat your resume as if you are telling your adventure story, says Naman Jain, Founder of Tads Education. Read his post to learn why.

• Do hobbies belong on a CV? A career advisor shares some thoughts in this piece by LinkedIn Editor Jennifer Ryan.  

• What your outfit colour says about you. Does the colour of your outfit matter in a job interview? Read this piece by LinkedIn’s Early Career Editor Gianna Prudente to find out.

• Will resumes soon be obsolete? Find out an expert’s perspective in this piece by Editor Brandi Fowler.

Take a deep dive into different resume formats and learn more about keywords to sail past ATS screening with this brief course by career coach Sho Dewan. 

This is the 28th edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices. 

Stay tuned by subscribing here and share your comments and thoughts using #GetHiredIndia.

By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Associate Community Manager: Neha Upalekar