creative resume of all time

23 Creative Resume Examples for 2024

In This Guide:

Gisele henne creative resume shows results not responsibilities, pierre rogers’ creative resume showcases intense passion, jimmy moore’s resume shows out of the box thinking, emily bain shows how a creative resume can stand out.

Scott McDowell's creative resume is playful and inventive

Linda Nakanishi shows by doing

Deda's resume shows who she is as a person

Matteo Reggi's creative resume showcases style

Stuart Mayhew's resume is a conversation starter

Anton Yermolov has a simple and creative 1-page resume

An extraordinary korean style resume, magnus henriksen is nothing but himself, harrison carter watkins shows off his design philosophy.

Chris Rowe's personality doesn't get lost in the details

Pau Morgan gets the important information across

Jimmy raheriarisoa’s resume is bursting with personality.

Monica Gomes' resume pays tribute to classics

Navdeep Raj's resume divides and conquers

Pam Bailey's resume tells a story

Seth Adler's resume is tailor made for the job he wants

Jonathan Fischer's resume is like nothing you've ever seen

Victor Rodriguez creative resume thinks inside the box

Nick begley thinks way outside the box, should you use a creative resume, how do i make my resume creative (without going overboard).

Gone are the days when a resume was only about showing your work experience.

A great creative resume needs to stand out.

Whether it’s at a career fair or in an HR department, when recruiters have looked at 100s of resumes in a single day, they should remember yours.

But that’s easier said than done.

So we found 23 truly unique creative resume examples to show you just what’s possible.

While each has its strengths and weaknesses, they all have something to teach you about how to create a standout resume.

Here’s what you’ll learn today:

• Browse through unique resume examples and the tactics they use to highlight important info;
• When should you be creative on your resume (and when not);
• Practical tips on how to make your resume more visually appealing.

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Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

We designed most of Enhancv’s features with the applicant’s individuality in mind.

Sure, we could have made a sleuth of simpler, black-on-white resume designs, but for that you’ve already got MS Office.

Some features that make Enhancv a staple creative resume builder include My Time, the 1000s of font, colour and background combos and the ability to rename just about any section of the builder to your liking.

This gives you a starting point to unleash your creativity and do some wondrous things without going overboard:

• Spruce up your headline or any other section;
• Make use of a single page resume ;
• Describe your passions and professional resume story just like we did with Marissa Mayer’s resume .

For the 23 designers below, sending a resume in a black-on-white A4 doc file is a sacrilege.

And, while being creative on your resume has its time and place (read more about that at the end of the article), you can use some of the design choices below to your advantage.

Let’s dive in!

Gisele’s resume does a great job balancing eye-catching design with a strong focus on results. Right away you can’t miss the key metrics here: 20 corporate projects delivered, 40 books managed, 15 years of freelance experience. All that is valuable information you have to pass to the reader right away.

It’s best to focus on results and not responsibilities. This has been a resume writing best practice for years , but it can’t be emphasized enough. Still, what makes this resume stand out is the “creative process” section. It’s designed to get the reader to really understand Gisele’s way of thinking, something a traditional resume wouldn’t be able to convey.

Last but not least, the “Etc.” section is a very smart way to grab employers’ attention and showcase side activities that shaped Gisele as the person. Things like playing the piano and guitar since childhood may be left out of most resumes, but they show qualities like dedication and consistency.

Gisele didn’t play for a few years and then got bored, she stuck with it. Those are qualities employers look for.

Pierre Rogers has incorporated his passion for computer games into his resume. His completed missions are his achievements, his special attributes are his experience and his weapons are his software as a character artist. It’s clear he didn’t get into his field because he couldn’t think of anything better to do.

Showing your passion for your work speaks volumes to employers, making you more memorable and hireable. That’s a lesson Pierre has learned well.

Filmmakers and producers always need to be ready to think outside of the box. From having to reshoot a certain scene when an actor has a new hairstyle to creating a chase sequence on a shoestring budget. Jimmy‘s resume shows he has the mindset to tackle those tough problems by showcasing his creativity. True, it has far fewer career details, but those can always be available on request. What Jimmy has done here is make a strong first impression.

With both of the resumes she uses, Emily starts off with her top professional strengths. Putting them right beneath her name ensures any read will get the main points right off the bat. One resume then focuses on telling her story and giving important context to the rest of the resume while the other gets straight into her work history.

Scott McDowell's creative resume is playful and inventive

Scott’s resume gives you an immediate impression of who he is and how he thinks. What it sacrifices in details it makes up for in personality (plus by including a link to more information, the typical biographical details we expect to see on a resume are all readily available).

The inclusion of subtle background elements encourages readers to take some time to explore the resume, giving it more time to make an impression.

You may have read that recruiters spend 6 seconds on a resume . Well, it’s unfortunately true. Often the choice whoever gets an interview call comes down to who made a quick impression. Linda starts off with two sentences explaining who she is and what she does before breaking down her work and life skills.

The result is a resume that explains the essentials in advance before inviting you to explore more. You can check Linda’s website here .

Deda's resume shows who she is as a person

You have to see the full version of Deda’s remarkable resume ! In it she shares not only the obligatory things (skills, experience, etc.) but also her Design Theory, Life Essentials, Personal Lifestyle Preferences and the Statement of Purpose – things that reveal much more about her personality.

Personality is important enough that even Richard Branson admits that it’s the most important component when hiring. Why? Because tech skills can be learned with time, but being persistent, diligent, and communicative are rare gems in a sea of qualified applicants.

Matteo Reggi's creative resume showcases style

Matteo Reggi’s resume shows he has the mind of a designer. His mind works a bit differently and you may have to tilt your head a bit to get it all. But that’s how interesting and engaging design often works.

The resume may be unconventional, but so is Matteo. Instead of pretending to be something he’s not, he brings his whole self to his resume. If you ask us, it really shows. You can view his work here .

Stuart Mayhew's resume is a conversation starter

We simply love this resume! Stuart Mayhew has combined information regarding his knowledge and experience and has shaped it brilliantly with this design. It paints a picture of a full person, from various life and work experiences to generally how he thinks.

Combined with a powerhouse list of clients, there’s plenty here to make a recruiter want to strike up a conversation and learn more about Stuart. That’s where he can have the chance to make yet another good impression.

He’s produced hundreds of copies of his simple and contemporary 1 page resume to hand out. Besides the design, Anton’s resume stands out by including information that’s hardly typical. Travels, interests, and characteristics bring his personality and experience to the forefront.

A great idea is to change the name of your “tech skills” section to a more job-specific one like Creative Fields or Management Skills, so that it’s more relevant to the position you are applying for. Go & see his work !

Undoubtedly a unique design incorporating Korean elements, this resume actually stands out in more ways than one. The whole resume has a fantastic “My Favorite Things” section which really shows off their design skills. One small issue is using language like “Please contact me…” which can signal a lack of confidence. Otherwise, this resume is memorable.

Magnus Henriksen created this original resume that shows him both as a person and as a professional. It’s simple and straight-forward in a refreshing way while not sacrificing any personality or style. Having such a resume confirms your skills as a designer and makes you stand out. Elements of it may be a bit immature, but Magnus isn’t interested in being anything other than himself.

It’s for the best, as companies should always know what they’re getting when they hire. With Magnus, they’re getting a talented jokester. You can check out some of his work here .

Next up is Harrison Carter Watkins’ Creative Resume . “How I think” is a powerful section to include, especially the way he did it – separate it into two parts – “Thoughts & Method” and “Productivity & Speed” which add a layer of personality alongside the technical one.

Another thing that makes a great impression is the quote featured prominently in the center: “The details don’t make the design, they are the design.”

You get a strong feeling for Harrison’s philosophy of design alongside his work experience and other details. For more of his works check out his Behance profile .

Chris Rowe's personality doesn't get lost in the details

This resume is outstanding not only because of it’s visual appearance but because of the compelling manner Chris has described himself. Including sections like “Clearing the mind” or “The Intangibles” provide a lot of details about your true personality and are a much better way to express what kind of person you are.

Besides, dividing your skill set into 3 parts – Knowledge, Design and Management & Communication, enables the recruiter to immediately see what your main areas of expertise are and gives him an incentive to keep on reading. See all his amazing work here .

Here Pau has visualized his work experience in an easy-to-understand way so that a recruiter can process the information faster. He’s also included the section “Expositions” which, in his case, is pretty important and tells a lot about his abilities. Visit his personal website to enjoy more of his work.

3 things about Jimmy’s resume impressed us – it’s short and concise, extremely well-designed and it emphasizes on the most important information – his title, skills and awards. Plus, it’s bursting with personality. See all of his work here .

Monica Gomes' resume pays tribute to classics

Maybe one of the most stylish resumes we’ve came upon. From its homages to the original macintosh and classic telephones to the classy self portrait, Monica shows her skills and passions with style. Combining her motivation and professional goals into the footer also leaves the reader with an excellent final impression. See her amazing work here .

Navdeep Raj's resume divides and conquers

Navdeep has done an amazing job visually breaking up the different sections in his creative resume . He begins with a simple, straight-forward line about who he is: “I love to design great looking, usable interfaces.”

The other thing we appreciated is that he highlights the fact that he has worked with top companies using a simple “Clients” section. We strongly encourage you to include that information, especially if you have worked for companies like Apple, Disney, MTV or SAP.

Last but not least the way Navdeep divided his skills so that they can be easier to process is very effective – “Practice Areas” and “Technologies”. You can check his work here .

Pam Bailey's resume tells a story

Pam is a professional storyteller whose resume does just what it should: tells her story. Hagan Blount has done a great job turning her resume into a real masterpiece.

Positioning her awards and professional achievements in the middle of her resume is a great idea, especially if you have some numbers and medals to show as she does. They tell the reader that you’re goal-oriented.

The other unique element here is the “Testimonials” section at the bottom.

Seth Adler's resume is tailor made for the job he wants

This is a great example of a performance-based resume by the same person who created Pam Bailey’s resume: Hagan Blount.

Again the content is based on results, not responsibilities, and the design highlights them well. The best part is that the resume is personalized for the VP of Sales position Seth is applying for. For that reason, he’s split his experience into three different categories – Business Development & Strategic Planning, Sales, and Marketing.

That way he stresses the fact that he has what it takes to succeed in that role. Personalizing your resume is one of the best things you could do to raise your chances of getting an interview.

Jonathan Fischer's resume is like nothing you've ever seen

Sometimes a resume just breaks the mold. Jonathan Wakuda Fischer’s is one such example. His resume takes the form of an identity booklet, old Russian style.

Everyone likes seeing absolutely unexpected things and if you read his resume carefully you will realise that Jonathan has gone far beyond the design of his resume and has created a real masterpiece.

Recruiters aren’t going to forget him. Check out his website here .

Victor Rodriguez is clearly being a bit cheeky with his “thinking inside the box” resume . You should never forget that the main goal of your resume is to make a great first impression to the person reading it, no matter whether it’s a word document, infographic, powerpoint presentation or a cereal box.

I can barely think of a better way to grab someone’s attention, especially if this pops up on your table! You can explore Viktor’s creative work here .

We have saved the dessert for last – Nick Begley is the bold man whose resume is a candy bar. When we said these were creative resume ideas, we weren’t kidding.

If you are in a creative industry you already know better as to whether or not sending a creative resume is the right way to go.

How about the rest of us, the non-designers who still want to stand out?

We have to take into consideration the public enemy #1 of creative resumes out there – the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, for short.

It’s a computer software that is designed to read simple text on resumes and match skills, experiences and keywords to the job description.

This is why it will have a hard time if you encode your key information into graphics and images.

With that being said, the above designers don’t have to pay attention to ATS at all.

They send resumes directly to employers. Which can be the case for many of us.

Small and medium-sized companies aren’t likely to use ATS, either.

Whereas even if you’re applying for a position in a big corporation, you can still incorporate a dash of creativity, as long as you maintain a professional tone.

Here’s a thought – you don’t have to make a cereal box resume to impress recruiters.

Frankly speaking, nobody is expecting you to be creative.

So, if you make a few adjustments here and there, it will come as an added bonus.

Use creative tactics, such as two-colour combinations, adjusted font size, easy-to-read font family, proper resume margin and skimmable layout. ( Enhancv’s resume builder takes care for the lot of it.)

Designers made their infographic resumes to highlight key information in a creative manner. You too can incorporate their tactics described above, albeit in a more down-to-earth way.

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25+ Creative Resume Designs to Inspire You [Updated 2024]

On average, a recruiter looks at a resume for just around 7 seconds . 

Yep, 7 seconds is all it takes for them to decide if they’re going to reject the resume and never look at it again, or give it a deeper look.

So, what does this mean for you?

This means that your resume should be well-designed to grab their attention, and easy to skim to make sure that the recruiter finds the information they’re looking for ASAP.

And in this article, we’ll teach you how, exactly, you can achieve that with 51+ inspirational resume designs!

Let’s give them a look!

Want a well-designed, engaging resume without having to spend hours formatting it?

Give our resume builder a try! You’ll be able to create a job-winning resume in less than 5 minutes.

#1. Start Bold

Your resume header is the first thing that a recruiter looks at during those 7 seconds of skimming, so it’s important that you have a header that pops. You can do that by using a color that contrasts with the rest of the resume, like in the design above. You can get this template over here .

#2. The “Less Is More” Resume Design

If you stand by “less is more”, then a clean, sharp-looking, minimalist resume template is what you’re looking for. This puts more focus on the information written on the resume with some minimal color use. If you’d like to use this design, you can find the template here . 

#3. Use Columns to Separate and Organize

Creating a simple, organized, and pleasant-to-look-at resume can be as easy as that. Split your sections into separate columns, emphasize the section titles or any important detail, and you’re good to go. The design above has two columns for a professional, organized, and minimalistic look. You can find the template for this design over here. 

#4. No Distractions

For some positions and companies, a colorful and engaging resume isn’t considered appropriate. In that case, you should go for a simple, text-based resume that focuses on the information presented. You can experiment with the fonts and the resume layout but still maintain a rather traditional and professional look. You can get this template here .

#5. Use a Resume Builder

Want to create a compelling resume, without having to spend hours perfecting the resume design?

Try our resume builder! Pick from our 16 well-designed templates , fill in the contents, and you’re good to go.

#6. Be Contrasting 

Whether it’s between the header and the body of the resume, or between the skills section and the rest, creating contrast in your resume can be a good move. Stevani Wilhemmsons chose dark gray and mustard to create this interesting color block scheme. It’s attention-grabbing but has an overall minimalist feel to it. 

#7. Add Some 3D Elements

The smallest details, like shadows, can make your resume come to life. This will give it a playful edge and will make the specific elements stand out. Literally. The design above adds a new dimension to the resume sections by making them look folded. 

#8. Matching Color Palette 

Using coordinated colors for your resume gives it a playful but still organized look. Depending on the scheme you use, you can up or lower the “drama” level. You can go for a minimalistic look and use pastel colors, or make your resume pop with some purple and pink tones just like Sneha Sur Roy did. 

#9. Give a Different Perspective 

How about switching things up and presenting your resume in landscape orientation? Now that’s surely something that will leave an impression. It will also allow you to experiment more with the way you present the information and how you divide sections. Check out this refreshing horizontal design by Derya Dilara Dogan . 

#10. Preview Your Work

If you’re in the design, illustration, or photography industry, you can turn your resume into part of your art and incorporate some of your work. Stefany Puche , a designer from Argentine, decided to showcase one of her illustrations into her resume. Can’t get more unique than that!

#11. Fold It Up

A folded resume will surely leave an impression on whoever gets to open it. Check out this awesome folding design by Artalic Graphics . Going through your resume turns into a visual experience. 

#12. Timeline

Want to show off your career journey in a chronological timeline? This resume design can help! You can see in the example above by Sarah Attia how easy it is to follow and go over her education and work experience information. 

#13. Illustrate Information

An interesting detail to add to your resume is illustrations. Accompanying your skills with some illustrated icons can add some life to even the most boring of resumes. It also allows you to play with some other elements other than colors and shapes. This resume by Edgielyn Ventura uses illustrations to accompany the list of services that the applicant can offer. 

Only use illustrations on your resume if you’re applying to a company that doesn’t use an applicant tracking system (ATS) . Otherwise, the ATS won’t be able to read your resume, and automatically discard it.

Want to make sure that your resume is ATS-friendly? Use one of our resume templates ! 

All our templates are compatible with the most popular applicant tracking systems on the market.

#14. Signature Detail 

Your own logo, stamp, personalized font, or even tagline is the perfect detail for a pastel-colored unique resume design. The bonus with this detail is that you can turn it into your own “brand” and use it in other places like letters and business cards as well. In the example above , the applicant used a simple logo to customize the resume. 

#15. Dark Background, Light Text

Instead of the classic light background and dark text, you can switch it up and do the opposite. The design above uses a dark gray background with a contrasting mint text. Remember to use a subtle dark color for the background and a readable one for the text, so that the combination isn’t too hard on the eyes. 

#16. Color-block Sections

Creating separate sections for different pieces of information in your resume creates a very structured and easy-to-navigate look. You can do so by using different blocks of color or by framing the sections with borders. The example above uses a black background with contrasting pastel-colored grids to organize the information in the resume. 

#17. Experiment With the Shape

This is quite a risky move since not all recruiters appreciate it, but if it’s in the right hands, it leaves quite the impression. Having a round or triangular resume is sure going to make you stand out. You need to make sure, however, that the text is readable and the design is not overwhelming. You don’t want the interviewer to struggle with going through it. This resume by John Mujica has a unique round layout, large capital-letter font, and subtle colors.  

We only recommend using such a creative resume template if you’re applying for a position in the creative industry, where they’ll appreciate the novelty.

#18. Fonts Can Make a Difference

Check out the example above by Corinne Garcia for the nice use of fonts.

#19. Mobile-friendly Resume Design 

If you have your resume linked online (on your website or platforms like Linkedin), you should make it accessible for people using a mobile phone. This design by Mathieu Hervouet makes it easy to navigate and read the resume from a cell phone.

#20. Resume Frame

Adding a border around your resume can be a nice touch if you’re looking to keep a minimalist style, but still add some originality to it. You can add a plain color border, an image, or an illustration like in the design example above . 

#21. Deliver the Full Experience 

If you will be sending your resume by mail, you can put in some extra effort and turn it into a package. We’re talking about a customized envelope, folded resume, and even a personalized logo or sticker. This design by Lenka Kubisova is the perfect example.

#22. Use a Monogram

Don’t want to include a picture on your resume ? You can substitute your photo with a monogram with your initials. It will look like a logo and give your resume a personal touch. Take a look at the minimalist monogram in Lime Resumes’ design. 

#23. Use A “Star” Color

If you want to add some drama to your resume, but don’t want to step out of the lines too much, you can go for a simple, minimalist resume and break the contrast with one accent color. It can be a light pastel green or a bright purple - whatever level of oomph you’re looking for. Prarthana Katariya and Jinkal Kalathiya used a lovely green to add life to their design. 

#24. Make It B I G

If colors and illustrations aren’t really your thing, you can still make a statement with your resume by using big, bold headers - nothing more. In their design, CPGR used very subtle colors, but they made their resume stand out by their big headers and even bigger first letters. 

#25. Self-Branding Package

#26. Brain Scan 

This is a great design, especially for illustrators, since they can also use it to showcase their talents. Yuri Kim’s resume looks like the report of a brain analysis with a half-circular timeline of education and work experiences as well as visual representations of skills and hobbies.

To wrap things up, we’ll give you some last pointers. 

• Your resume design is a reflection of your personality. Choose wisely.
• Not every industry/company appreciates every resume design. Choose appropriately.
• Font type and size can change the whole vibe of the resume. Choose tastefully.

Want to learn more about writing a compelling resume? Check out our complete guide to writing a resume .

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40+ Creative Resume Templates You’ll Want To Steal in 2024

• Martin Poduska , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 13 min read

Creative resume templates make you stand out from the sea of traditional black-and-white resumes. If you're thinking about using one too, we've put together this selection of more than 40 creative resume templates made by successful professionals.

These creative resume templates range from quite minimalistic resumes you could use in a wider variety of professions, to some of the most extravagant pieces, suitable for artists or designers. 

Some of these examples are also available as resume templates that you can use (many of them even for free). 

However, others are closely tied to the designer's own personality and it probably wouldn't be possible to copy them even if you wanted to. Still, you can use them as inspiration. 

Either way, if you decide to go for a creative resume template, remember that it reflects not only your own personality but also the character of your desired work environment.

In other words — you wouldn't want to apply for an accountant job with any of these resumes. However, they may as well get you that dream job in a creative agency!

40+ creative resume templates for your inspiration

1. social media manager at l'oréal resume.

Resume by social media manager at L'Oréal

A creative template is welcomed in jobs that are, well, creative. So, if you’re hoping to score a position in fashion, marketing, design, or arts, you can give a unique resume design a try. But if you’re applying for a relatively formal and non-creative job in fields like finance, consulting, law, academia, or healthcare, make sure you opt for a minimalistic resume design. Of course, this also depends on the position and the company. For example, a creative resume template might work for a healthcare job at a children’s hospital.

2. Nurse at Akron Children's Hospital resume sample

Resume by nurse at Akron Children's Hospital

Want something creative too?

Choose from 40+ creative resume templates designed by professional typographers.

3. Iconographic resume template

"Infographic Resume" by Michelle Campbell

4. Visual resume template

"FREE Visual Resume CV Template" by Tamás Leb

5. Old-school resume template

Self Promotion: Resume & Job Application by Vidar Olufsen

6. Creative resume template

Personal Stationery by Alysa Choudri

7. Colorful resume template

"Personal branding & resume" by Jonas Nullens

8. Resume template by Kate Renner

"My resume" by Kate Renner

9. Infographic resume template

"My resume" by Ven Klement

10. Resume infographic template

"My Infografic Curriculum Vitae" by Matteo Reggi

11. Graphic designer resume template

"My CV Resume" by Peter Kisteman

12. Designer resume template

Self Promotion by Siri Lonvik

13. Personal branding + creative resume template

"Personal Branding & Self Promo" by Matthew Lynch

14. Minimalistic resume

"Resume" by Adam Rozmus

15. Modern resume

CV by Pieter Baert (link unavailable)

16. Poster resume example

"Wanted Poster"  by Tom Prager

 17. Timeline creative resume template

"Resume Design" by Michael Hyun

18. Creative resume templates by Kickresume

Resume Templates by Kickresume (available to use)

19. ''Book resume'' template

"Curriculum Vitae / Resume" by Ashley Spencer

20. Personal branding + creative resume

"Self-promotion // Resume" by Sabraé Ragsdale

21. Free creative resume template

"CV Free Resume Template" by Emiliance Ismailov

22. Minimalistic resume example

"Curriculum Vitae / Resume" by Cristian Martínez Castellar

23. Free minimalistic resume template

"Free Minimalistic Resume / CV Timeline" by Patryk Korycki

24. Free resume template

"Free Resume Template + Icons (Self promotion)" by Tolgahan Yurtseven

25. Free creative resume template

"Resume (CV) Template FREE" by Andrew Hint

26. Self-branding resume

"Self Branding / Curriculum Vitae" by Daniel Balcazar

27. Elegant resume sample

"Curriculum Vitae" by Vincenzo Castro

28. Simple resume template

"Resume" by MEHRO DESIGNS

29. Resume by Valerie

"Resume" by Valerie Ng

30. Old school resume example

"Resume" by Nitesh Baviskar

31. Modern resume

"Identity 2013" by Amber Smith

32. Modern resume sample

"3-Piece Modern Resume" by Rafal Kozera

33. Minimalistic resume template

"FREE Resume Template" by Fernando Báez

34. Creative resume template

"CV | Resume" by Georgina Bousia

35. Infographic resume template

"Resume / Curriculum Vitae" by Genevieve Lovelock

36. Creative resume template by Darthkix

"MY RESUME" by Darthkix

37. Personal identity resume

"RM Brand Identity" by Roland Martial

38. Illustrated resume template

"My Resumé — Personal Branding Design" by Matteo Innominato

39. Minimalist resume design

"My CV - Resume" by Jacopo Pulcini

40. Graphic designer resume sample

"My creative resume | Curriculum vitae" by Roberto Zizza

41. Creative resume by Jimmy

"Identité visuelle JIM" by Jimmy Charles

42. Modern resume design

"Resume" by Mihai Anghel

43. Creative resume template by Irene

"CV / Curriculum Vitae / 2014" by Irene Stracuzzi

44. Free resume template by Freesumes

"The Modern Clean Resume Template Freebie" by Freesumes.com

45. Minimalistic yet creative resume template by Kickresume

Sharp by kickresume.

Clean-looking yet creative resume template

This article was recently updated. The original article was written in 201 7.

Martin Poduska is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. He leads Kickresume’s team of writers and is the main person responsible for upholding the standards of expertise and quality on the blog. In addition to having written nearly 100 in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles, as chief editor he has also edited and revised every single article on this blog. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. Martin holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam.

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39 Creative Resume Examples & Templates (Creative CV Ideas)

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A creative resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is one document you can’t skimp on. This is true for everyone, but especially for designers and other creative professionals.

When applying for a job, the first impression you create is strong and longest-lasting. The same is true when making contact with a new potential client. That first impression has to help you stand out from your competitors.

That first impression is usually made via an online application, your website, an email, or even through social media. Hopefully, you already have a strong portfolio website , either a personal portfolio or your freelance business site. And hopefully, your social media presence continues your personal or business brand look and feel. But what about your resume?

Most job applications ask applicants to attach a CV or a resume. And after initial, brief research on your website or social media accounts, a prospective client will often ask for a resume if they don’t find the information they need or if they need to present a list of freelancers to their boss.

As such, no matter if you’re searching for a job or trying to land new clients, your resume design could be what differentiates you from a competitor with similar skills and level of experience. The right kind of creative resume truly reflects your character and experience in an expressive way.

The following are some excellent creative resume and CV examples to help get ideas flowing for your own resume design. Notice that some tend to remain more straightforward and business-like with a hint of creativity thrown in. Some go over the top in the creative aspect. And others strike a nice balance between the two extremes.

Designers have discovered new methods to showcase their skills and attributes in a bold way with creative CVs and resumes. You can come up with a highly creative resume idea, design it and then showcase your skills and abilities to the whole world.

You’ll need to make a calculated decision on your own resume design. If your brand look and style of work is highly artistic, then, by all means, go all out. If, however, you’re applying for a job in a less creative field, you may want to tone down tons of graphics and colors and stick with a more corporate look that still creatively reflects your personal brand.

Best Creative Resume Examples

We’ve searched to find the most creative resumes available. These creative resume examples and creative CV examples are sure to provide plenty of inspiration. And best of all, if you see a template you like, you can purchase it to save hours of your time.

Creative Resume by Jahangir Alam Jisan

Jisan’s creative CV uses icons, color, and bold banners to add creativity to his resume design. Plus, the unusual layout helps the information to stand out nicely while still maintaining a professional and organized look.

My Resume by Soumitra Saxena

This is another creative resume design that shows off the designer’s humor as well as his wide range of skills. Even with the creative illustration and extra information, the graphic design is still clean and organized, which says a lot about his engineering side as well.

Curriculum Vitae by Anton Yermolov

Both clean and colorful, Yermolov’s CV design stands out with neat columns and colorful icons. His illustrated self-portrait is a nice alternative to a photo and ensures it will look nice even if a client uses their own poor-quality printer to print a copy.

CV – Take a Look Inside by Amber Van Mieghem

Both the format and the fold of this CV design is fantastically creative. Amber does an excellent job of creating intrigue and keeping attention by leading to the next page with the fold.

Shameless Self-Promotion by Kyle Robertson

A personal logo is always a safe way to add some originality to a professional resume that needs to remain more on the corporate side. Robertson doesn’t stop there, though. His beautiful choice of fonts also adds to the appeal of his creative resume design.

My Resume by darthkix

Fitting a lot of information onto a single page is one of the more difficult parts of a resume, but darthkix solves this problem quite beautifully. The silhouette graphic on the background is a brilliant way to break up his information neatly but uniquely.

Resume by Yojna Shetty

I love how this creative resume organizes so much content so neatly onto a single page. At first glance, it is almost overwhelming, but the lines and other graphics help to draw the eye from one section to the next quite easily. It should not take very long for the viewer to go through it so each section and detail should be connected to the next one and everything should be displayed in a rather expressive and creative manner.

Self-Promotion by Syril Bobadilla

The bright colors in this original resume by Bobadilla are stunningly balanced out by the excellent, clean layout of content. Plus, the custom fonts add a very nice, original touch to the entire design.

Curriculum_Vitae by Francisco Hidalgo

I highly urge you to visit Hidalgo’s Behance page to view his curriculum vitae in full effect, as the images above do not do his gorgeous illustration justice. You can build on this idea and design similar creative resumes that are more than just a professional resume. Not only does his design show off his illustration skills, it also keeps his information easy to read and digest in a memorable viewing experience. Beautiful!

Curriculum Vitae by Camila Soto

Handwritten fonts and illustrations are a stunning touch in this creative CV and infographic resume by Soto. I love how each section is divided into boxes. Different calligraphic fonts have been put to use, few items have been sketched and you get a colorful resume for your work.

Resume by Roberta Cicerone

I really love how this website resume could also double as a poster-like print resume design. Roberta does an excellent job of keeping a visitor scrolling with uniquely phrased section headers and dotted lines. Different geometrical figures and calligraphic fonts have been displayed in quite a skeptical and playful way. Her illustrations and custom fonts are stunning!

Matthew Jhon Creative Resume Template

This modern template is perfect for a graphic designer or creative professional who wants a resume that makes a strong first impression on a hiring manager. You’ll have a place for your work experience highlights, as well as your education, skills, and contact info. The header and footer feature a stylish design. It comes as a Microsoft Word file (DOCX) and as a PDF.

This is one of the most creative and unique resume or CV templates you’ll find. It’s colorful and also includes a small illustration, as well as some shapes and icons. It comes in Ai, EPS, and PSD formats.

Alex Buell Template

If you want a resume or CV that stands out, this template is an excellent choice. It features a little bit of color and some subtle but stylish design elements to impress viewers. You can use the template in Word, Illustrator, or Photoshop. It comes in PDF and EPS format.

Colorful Resume Template

Who says resumes have to be boring? This template uses a lot of color, especially in the header, to really stand out. It comes in vector format (Ai and EPS file formats) and includes a template for a cover letter.

Charles Midleton Template

Here is another bright, colorful curriculum vitae template 100% guaranteed to stand out. It can be edited in Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator to quickly and easily create a beautiful resume. Shapes and colors make this design unique, but it also includes all the details needed to be effective.

Anthony Arlo

This colorful template features a large header with a photo and shapes that make a nice background for your bio and contact info. It also displays your relevant experience and skills attractively. Edit the template in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Word.

Lester Chandler

This package includes a two-page creative CV template and a cover letter template. This design features bold black & white, large photos, and a clean design. It’s perfect for creative professionals who want a great-looking resume showcasing their abilities.

Modern CV Resume Template

This template features a stylish design and a big header with a place for your photo. The skills section uses a creative way to display your most essential skills and your level of expertise. It also includes a nice cover letter template.

Darryl Philbin

This creative resume template and CV template is also professional. It’s exceptionally well designed with a lot of style to ensure you stand out. There’s a spot for a photo in the header, and the download even comes with a photo filter, so your photo will match the style shown in the preview above.

Mono Resume

We’ve looked at some examples of colorful resumes, but this one takes a different approach with a monochromatic color scheme. It’s perfect for creative professionals because the header is innovative and interesting, allowing you to enter a photo. It’s also got plenty of room for all the important details about your experience and accomplishments.

Alan Querin

Here is another black & white design that definitely stands out from the typical resume template or CV template. It uses typography and some well-designed content blocks to create a truly professional resume.

If you want a resume or CV that will stand out without taking extreme measures regarding an unusual design, this one is a good option. It uses color and some nice design elements, but still has a clean look and feel. It comes in PSD, Ai, and EPS formats.

Steven Gerard

This unique design includes a full-page photo with a greeting and a second page with a full resume or CV with a photo header. The full-page photo could be skipped if you want the simple one-page option. It’s a well-designed and colorful template that you’ll love.

Mauro Haskey Template

This template uses a beautiful design and layout that features a small photo and a brief profile in the sidebar. It includes all the necessary details like contact info, work experience, and education. The skills section at the bottom uses star ratings to display strengths in different areas creatively.

Juandha Whitney

This clean and elegant template makes creating a curriculum vitae with a professional look easy. You’ll be able to show off your strongest skills, education, and work experience.

Claire Ridley

Here is another very clean and professional CV template with a nice design. The header includes room for a photo and a brief bio before getting into the details of your experience and background.

Henry Silly Template

Present your qualifications in a clean and professional way with the help of this creative resume template. It comes in Illustrator format with five different color variations that you can choose from, and of course, you can also edit the colors if you’d like.

Pink Resume Template

Now, here is one that’s sure to be unique! The design uses a pink background, probably unlike any resume you’ve ever seen. It also includes all of the usual details, so it’s functional too.

This template uses some splashes of color for a creative CV design. It includes space for a headshot, a skills section that utilizes star ratings, and an additional template for a cover letter. The download includes the designs in Ai and EPS formats.

Two-Page Modern Resume Template

This unique resume template is not only creative in terms of design and style, but it’s also one of the few two-page templates you’ll see in this showcase. The first page includes details about you and your skills, and the second page is focused on work experience and education. The templates come in Word and InDesign formats.

Indah Kusuma

This CV template uses a colorful header with a photo. The rest of the design is fairly clean and simple. You’ll also get matching cover letter templates. The files can be edited in Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator.

The Peachy CV Resume Template

The Peachy template makes use of icons and content blocks to display your experience and qualifications in an attractive way. The header includes a spot for a small photo along with your name and contact info. This template is ideal for highlighting a few past jobs or specific experiences that you’ve gained.

Taylor Sheeran Template

This stylish design stands out from the typical resume template without being too unconventional. The dark header and footer add contrast and visual interest. The header includes space for a small photo. It also comes with a template for a matching cover letter, which is sure to come in handy.

Carol Holmes

This modern resume template’s layout is pretty unique and will make you stand out from other job applicants. It also comes with a cover letter template and can be edited easily in Microsoft Word.

Jim Halpert

Although it’s a fairly simple design, this CV is definitely unique. It makes excellent use of typography and gives you a solid template that could be used in many different industries.

Anthony Silver

With the help of this template, you can get a very professional CV in no time. There’s a sport for your photo in the head, and the resume layout is beautifully designed to show off your experience and skills. It is provided in InDesign file format.

Web Designer Resume Template

This template is a fun way for web designers to present their professional resume or CV. It includes a spot for a QR code at the top, which is a cool touch. Of course, there’s also a section to show off your experience, and the skills section at the bottom presents a way to display your specific skills visually.

Walter Smith

With this template, you can pack plenty of detail into your resume or CV without a cluttered look. You’ll have a place for your work experience, education, skills, contact info, references, and a brief profile and photo. It comes in four different color variations.

You Only Have a Few Seconds… A Creative Resume Will Help

Your creative resume can make a strong first impression on a potential employer or recruiter. How creative is your resume or CV design? Are you confident yours will stand out from the rest of the pile? If not, then you may want to use one of the creative resume examples above (or use a resume builder) to model your own design, but don’t forget to consider your audience. And have fun with it so that your creative passion shines through loud and clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

A creative CV or resume will show off your skills or experience in a way that sounds out from most text-based resumes during a job search. It may include color or a more unique visual design. If you’re in a creative industries, like designers, taking this approach as a job seeker may help you to get an interview.

The easiest way is to use one of the many templates showcased on this page. In just a few minutes, you can have a beautiful resume or CV that you can be proud of. Check the creative CV ideas in this article to find one you like.

If you’re in a creative industry, taking a more original approach to your resume can be effective and may help you to land your dream job. However, in other industries you may be better off with a more traditional resume.

It really depends on the person who is receiving and reviewing the resumes. Look at it this way, many job openings receive at least 100 resumes. The creative approach is sure to makes your stand out and be noticed. Will it help every time? No. But getting noticed is an important step if you want to get an interview, especially in a creative profession.

Tara Hornor enjoys writing about advertising, marketing, branding, web and graphic design, and more. As Senior Editor for Creative Content Experts, she has over 2,000 published articles on the web. Connect with @TaraHornor for more design and freelancing advice.

12+ Creative Resume Examples, Templates & Ideas – Daily Design Inspiration #28

25 Oct 12+ Creative Resume Examples, Templates & Ideas – Daily Design Inspiration #28

Each day there are millions of pieces of content published on the internet. I mean, it’s overwhelming how much we can produce and share with the world in a 24 hour time period.

Especially in the design world.

Every hour there are thousands of projects published by many talented designers. But because those are published across a collection of different social networks and sites, you often miss them.

That’s why I decided to put together the first edition of the Daily Design Inspiration. With this daily collection of Halloween poster examples, I want to give new designers a platform to show off their work.

To spread some inspiration to readers. To collect amazing design work on one platform. And to make it easy for anyone to create something beautiful.

So let’s get started!

In this edition of the Daily Design Inspiration, we are going to look at some Halloween poster examples from  Fernando Báez ,  Vincenzo Castro ,  and a few from our own Venngage designers.

Also be sure to check out yesterday’s Daily Design Inspiration, where we covered some  Halloween Flyer examples!

1. Black & Yellow Tech Infographic Resume Example 

Creator: Vincenzo Castro

Type:  Creative Tech Resume Example

For as long as I can remember we’ve had the same boring resumes; a page full of text describing each task you have done. Looking at this infographic resume idea, I wish we got to this era earlier.

Considering Vincenzo Castro is a graphic designer, he’s done an exceptional job at showing just how good he is. Each icon accurately represents the section it leads to, and each section is clearly visible and to the point.

There is a minimal amount of text, which really helps reduce clutter and allows the reader to see his key points instantly. He has done so by making the key text a certain font weight, while the boldness makes it stand out from the surrounding text.

Just by looking at his resume, makes me want to hire him instantly! Let this infographic resume idea inspire you to start upgrading your own!

2. Green & Yellow Modern Resume Template 

CREATE THIS TEMPLATE

Creator:  Venngage

Type:  Simple Modern Resume Example

When creating your resume, keep in mind the industry you work for and the type of mindset that will review your resume. In this case, the modern resume example above keeps it simple, but still informative and visually appealing.

Each icon around Emilie’s picture represents what her personality traits are, all combining into one full circle. Next, she shows a clear vision of how strong her skills are, without using any additional words. With the use of large headings, it’s easy to determine what each section is about and quickly read over the material, without feeling overwhelmed.

The use of color against the negative space provides a clean, minimalistic look, making it stand out through a pile of resumes. Also, be sure your contact information is clearly listed, and easy to find, just like this modern resume example.

3. Sleek Red & Black Modern Infographic Resume Example

Creator:  Fernando Báez

This creative resume template is the ultimate package deal, from the cover letter to the resume; each page keeps the audience entertained.

The bold use of color and typography fits right in with his job title and what he loves, something you learn from the first sentence you read! Instantly making you understand his design choice for the creative resume template, even if you thought it was too bold, it all makes sense now.

As a general rule, try to keep your resume under two pages, but in this case, it didn’t apply. There is a great deal of negative space to make the information spaced out through each page; it’s not full of cluttered text like the rest. Each design element is unique, I mean, he even uses a graph to display his social skills!

4. Minimalist Floral Resume Template

Type:  Creative Minimalist Resume Example

How have we never thought of using a background image to frame our resume before? In this creative resume example, the designer used the last name as inspiration for the border, making it fit right in.

If you want to play it safe when applying for jobs, use this creative resume example to add color, and still be respectful of the classic design.

There are two different font styles present, but gives the appearance of three. Showing how different font weight can really affect the appearance. Keeping a minimalistic design can get the main points through and make the reader want to reach out for more details, successful way to score an interview right?

5. Innovative Folding Creative Resume Example

Creator:  Laura Voet

Type:  Innovative Resume Example

Over the years the design of resumes has really evolved, and this creative resume idea is a great example. As a graphic designer, you can really enjoy the role the typography and lines play in this resume! The name and title dominate the page instantly, leaving no doubt about the skills of the candidate.

My personal favorite from this creative resume idea is the type of references the designer produced. For your resume, it doesn’t have to be the same people, as that can be very risky without knowing whom your end audience is, you can alter it to reflect your references. The margin and use of headings make it look like an excerpt from a book, altering the resume experience altogether!

6. Personal Branding Creative Resume Example

Creator:  Matteo Innominato

Type:  Personal Branding Resume Example

The callout gets my attention and makes me start reading right away. The entire illustration of this creative resume design gives the audience a taste of how talented the candidate really is! The reoccurring yellow in each section creates a sense of consistency and feeling of a theme.

It’s neat how the designer used a timeline to list his learning experiences. For years we have used the same way to list our work experience, but why haven’t we tried a timeline before? It’s much easier to comprehend and imprints on your mind. Even the level of each skill is shown through a graph, all taking us back to the basics we learned when we were young, and now it comes back in an artistic form. Certain words are bolded in yellow that make it pop and give the reader a quick glimpse without having to read the full text.

7. Futuristic Purple Infographic Resume Template

Type:  Creative Infographic Resume Example

The colors in the picture are repeated again to show what the candidate is about in this creative resume layout. Bringing color and life to a section where it starts to get more serious. The heading of the resume consists of icons that show different ways you can reach out, making it easier for the eye to jump to the medium you want. Notice how this frame lines up perfectly with the size of the picture, balancing out both elements.

From all of the examples provided, you can see the new trend of visually showing a level of expertise in each skill, just like this creative resume layout. It’s a quick and easy way to show what your capable of, without having to add excessive text to your resume.

8. Double Exposure Minimalist Resume Example

Creator:  Cristian Martínez Castellar

The image overlay in this minimalist resume example makes you feel like your viewing the soul of this candidate, just as a resume teaches you about a person. We have come to be more accepting and receptive to resumes that think outside of the box, what better way to show it?

This minimalist resume example even lists a QR code should you prefer to view it electronically, making it more accessible for the reader. Each section is carefully balanced out under the main image, respective to the margin, providing a clean, organized look. Though this resume is grayscale, the image sucks the user in, and with the use of concise words, the reader’s attention stays put.

9. Colorful Infographic Resume Example

Creator:  Alysa Choudri

There is a great deal of noise present in this infographic resume design, but with it being repetitive through the page, you know it’s intentional. Looking at each element, it looks as if something is loading, from the top to the bottom. Sure enough, the very last section on the bottom right is a full circle image indicating the perfect fit. This neat representation resembles the idea of searching through candidates for the perfect fit, once located, it’s 100% complete.

When incorporating such an infographic resume design, ensure your text is easily legible from a distance. If the manager can’t read it from the first instance they look, they won’t bother moving forward. Make it easy for them, requiring minimal effort.

10. Creative Photographer Resume Template

Type:  Creative Resume Example

Due to the nature of this industry, this photographer resume template can be used as a preview for the hiring manager. For a photographer, you don’t need to read long bodies of text to see what their skills are and whom they have worked with! All you care about is what the images look like and how well you can work with them. The use of a high res image can be the start of attracting the audience.

With the resume being split into two different sections, you can easily jump to the text and read through quickly. Clear and concise is key. The white space helps balances the information through the page and helps make it legible.

This photographer resume template provides a link to showcase their portfolio, and to me, this is where the real test begins.

11. Bold Black & Yellow Horizontal Resume Example

Creator:  John Gatapia

Type:  Creative Horizontal Resume Example

Who knew changing up the orientation of a page could be visually effective for this creative resume example? We’ve always thought about changing up design choices for a stronger impact, but this simple change really made it stand out from the pile. The bold choice in colors adds to this effect, the contrasting black and yellow not only stands out in a crowd but also makes it easy to read.

In a way, the creative resume example gives the appearance of a brochure design with the sections divided into three. Companies today want to see if a candidate will fit into their corporate culture, and get along with others. The X-factor and Cool Features section in this template makes all the difference and will help them answer these questions.

Find out the needs of the company you are applying to, and cater to them through your resume.

12.  Abstract Creative Resume Template

The colors in this creative resume template give a fun, approachable feel.

When a job is posted, there are a lot of resumes to sift through, making it repetitive and monotone for the reader. Spark a feeling in the reader that will not only catch their attention but make them happy to read your resume, trust me, it will increase your chances!

Each section in this creative resume template is clearly defined by a bold color choice; bringing life to a flat design. The contrast of color for the icons, text, and headings against the background all make it legible with ease.

Notice how the designer used a light grey background to make the name and title pop out. In a way, all the other sections wrap around the name, making it a focal point.

Now if you want to learn more about creating your own resume I would recommend checking out this article:

20+ Infographic Resume Templates and Design Tips to Help You Land That Job

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15 Creative Resume Examples That Will Land The Job

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

While you may think of this adage while preparing for your next interview, how often do you think about it when submitting your CV or resume to a potential client or employer?

The average length of time someone will look at your resume is about 5-8 seconds. That means you need a way to grab their attention quickly. Now, imagine competing with hundreds of other applicants for that same opportunity. As you might have guessed, the chances of getting noticed are reduced even more.

So how do you tackle this problem? How do you get your resume to stand out above all the rest? One way is by submitting a creative resume .

What Is a Creative Resume

A creative resume is one that steps away from the traditional, text-only resume and instead adds creative elements. These can include interactivity, videos, infographics, and even custom chocolates and candy wrappers—although I don’t recommend those last two.

With a creative resume , the sky is the limit; you’re only capped by your imagination. Well, that and whether or not you really want that job.

Many recruiters, potential clients, and employers may not appreciate a creative resume. If the important details get lost in the design, it’s not going to fare well for you. In fact, if you’re going to use a creative resume, it’s important to understand where it will work and, more importantly, where it won’t.

That said, you need to tailor your resume to the type of job you want. For example, you’re likely not going to send a creative resume if you’re applying for a job as a court clerk or a delivery driver. However, if you’re applying for the Creative Lead position at the local publishing house , it might just be the perfect opportunity to show off your design skills.

So, with that in mind, let’s examine some examples of creative resume designs to help give you an idea of what’s out there and what can be done. We’ll also guide you on which industries will work best for a particular design choice.

Creative Resume Examples

Unique resume / joe kelso.

This unique resume, created by Joe Kelso in 2007, will turn heads. When asked about it in an interview, Joe revealed that it was his secret weapon to getting noticed. It was so effective that he was often called in for interviews in which he wasn’t a perfect match.

Industry: Media. Entertainment. Design.

Interactive & Fun / Robby Leonardi

If you’re looking for a fun resume idea, check out Robby Leonardi’s interactive resume . Robby’s resume, which looks like a video game, takes you on a journey through his experiences by allowing you to control the player using your mouse or keyboard. When you make it to the end of the game, you’re rewarded with an opportunity to send Robby a message.

Industry: Animation. Design. Game / Web Development.

Simple Creative / Chen Zhi Liang

Infographics are all the rage these days, and it’s no surprise that they made their way into the resume design space. In this simple creative CV , Chen Zhi Liang makes use of them to highlight his skills, and I think he nailed it.

Industry: Design. Development.

Amazing / Joseph Acena

Another resume that uses infographics to highlight skills and other areas of interest is this amazing resume by Joseph Acena. The only issue I have with this one is related to the placement of the contact information – it’s a little hard to spot – but otherwise, this is a brilliant-looking resume.

Industry: Education. Publishing.

Artistic / María Camila Soto

María Camila Soto shows off her skills and her personality with her artistic resume . There’s just something about the hand-drawn look that I love.

Industry: Design. Art. Illustration.

Interesting / Gloria Edith Escalera Manzano

Gloria’s resume is the most exciting resume on the list. Although she created it for a school project, she gave it a lot of thought, and I think she has something special here.

Industry : Design. Art. Illustration. Children’s Book Publishing.

Beautiful / Stuart Mayhew

This beautiful resume by Stuart Mayhew uses a single accent color to highlight the important bits of information. The font choice is also brilliant. Many people forget how important readability is when they focus too much on the flashy design elements. Stuart clearly did not.

Industry : Design. Marketing.

Designer / Anton Yermolov

Anton Yermolov created this elegant designer resume, which also uses infographics to highlight his skills. This simple design reminds me of something I might see in a magazine, and it certainly caught my attention.

Industry : Design. Development. Print Media.

Creative Marketing / Mathew Lynch

Although there’s not much room for, well anything, Mathew Lynch sure knows how to ask for what he wants! With his creative marketing resume, there’s no question about what he’s after. The fantastic typography alone will surely draw some attention.

Industry : Publishing. Development. Design.

Awesome / Jimmy Raheriarisoa

Jimmy Raheriarisoa’s awesome resume is two-color, noir perfection! It’s simple, elegant, fun, and best of all… his skills are up-front and center. I’d call him in for an interview in a heartbeat.

Industry : Publishing. Media. Art. Entertainment.

Innovative / Paula Del Mas

This innovative resume comes from Paula Del Mas, which she created to promote her skills as a graphic designer. Technically more of a portfolio than a resume, Paula spent a lot of time designing it. She looked at every aspect of this book, including cover design and font selection, and included only things that would highlight her abilities.

Industry : Design. Publishing.

Creative / Lim Zhiyang

Lim Zhiyang uses infographics to highlight his skills and general interests in this fantastically fun and creative resume. A resume like this is great when you have skills, but not a lot of experience.

Industry : Design. Development. Illustration.

Cool / Francesco Rivieccio

Francesco’s cool resume gives us a look at the anatomy of a creative professional. His resume highlights his skills in a way that I’ve not seen before. If I were recruiting for new creative talent, Francesco would make it on the list, for sure!

Industry : Design. Illustration. Publishing. Gaming.

Creative / Allison Brunton

This creative resume by Allison Brunton reminds me of a technicolor version of Jimmy Raheriarisoa’s resume (#10). The important information is easy to find, and the use of infographics brings things together nicely.

Industry : Design. Creative Arts.

Creative Genius / Rebecca Fisk

When I first saw Rebecca Fisk’s creative CV, I was immediately reminded of those old Pantone color-chips from back in the day. While I’m not sure how practical of a CV this is, it’ll absolutely make a lasting first impression.

Industry : Creative. Design.

Creative Resume Design Tips

Now that you’ve seen some creative resume examples, you might decide to make one of your own. Before you do, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Choose legible fonts. One of the most important tips is font selection. Too often, I’ve seen it where either an illegible font was used or too many fonts were used together. The basic rule here is to keep it simple and clean. Don’t select crazy fonts just because they’re available.
• Keep your contact information easy to spot. This should go without saying, but when your contact information is more difficult to find than the Ark of the Covenant, no one – not even Indiana Jones – will find you. If you want people to contact you, make sure you make it easy for them to do so: don’t hide your contact information behind a terrible design.
• Include important information, but keep it brief. If the average read-time is about 6-8 seconds to determine whether or not you’ll be getting a call, then imagine how much time is spent reading the rest of your resume. That said, keep it clear and concise. Don’t include irrelevant information, and don’t use big words when smaller ones will do.
• Let your personality show. Be creative. Let your resume speak to your personality. While my own resume isn’t exactly “creative” – I use a traditional style – my personality still comes through. In my profile section, I have the following bullet points:

Zombie aficionado — should there ever be a zombie apocalypse, it might be nice to have me around. Just sayin’.

• Use infographics to highlight your skills. Infographics can play a huge part in making a resume stand out, but it’s important to understand what infographics are , and how to make them work. Otherwise, you run the risk of having your resume look like a photo collage put together by a second-grader.

Creative Resume Templates

If you’re not keen on designing your own creative resume, you might consider starting with a template . A word of caution, though… with a template, you run the risk of not being original. However, resume templates do offer a good starting point.

Here are a few to help get you started:

the TRUE SCOUT

$99.00 USD: Get it here This template offers a nice balance between traditional and creative. The important information is easy to spot, and the color and font selection are spot-on.

Clean CV Resume

$16 USD: Get it here This template comes jam-packed with extras, including matching business cards! It also comes in three different formats: .psd, .docx, and .doc.

Flat Resume with Infographics

$12 USD: Get it here If you’re looking for an entry-level infographics format, this one by Creative Graphics is simple, flat , and fully customizable. However, you’ll need Adobe Illustrator for this one.

Infographic Resume/CV

$15 USD: Get it here In my book, this one by Whitegraphic is a solid choice. It features both a light and dark style, uses free fonts, and comes in two formats: .psd and .ai.

There are tons of templates online. Some are free, some are not. The best advice I can give, go with what speaks to you and your personality. Just keep in mind where it is you’re sending it.

Creative resumes aren’t for everyone, and they’re certainly not for every type of job—but they do have their place and can be an effective tool when you’re looking for new opportunities. Just keep things tame!

The bottom line is that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Creative resumes do have the potential to get you noticed, but you want to make sure that you’re being noticed in a good way and for the right reasons.

About the author Tammy Coron is an independent creative professional and the host of Roundabout: Creative Chaos. She’s also the co-founder of Day Of The Indie, the organizer behind Indie DevStock, and the founder of Just Write Code. Find out more at TammyCoron.com .

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• Resume Templates
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Free Creative Resume Templates For Word

Get the job you deserve.

Creative resume templates can help you build a document that shows your creativity while still maintaining the professionalism you need to be taken seriously to get past the “gatekeepers”.

Straight Shooter – Free Unique Resume for a Lasting Impression

The Freelancer’s Resume – Creative Resume Template for Independent Workers

The Personal Branding – Creative Resume Template

The standard advice is that you should create very simple, structured resumes that don’t deviate much in style or format. Anything else is deemed a distraction that could do more harm than good.

This is good advice for those in many fields, but you aren’t in just any field, are you? As a creative professional, it’s important that your resume is a reflection of your personality, brand and unique style.

Not only are you permitted a bit of leeway when it comes to the design and layout of your resume, but this document can also help you stand out from the other applicants opting for the plain and trusted styles.

Creative Resume Templates, Downloadable and Free

Bold and Brash – a Creative Resume Template with Pops of Color

The Visionaire – A Creative Resume Template for Leaders

À La Mode – Creative Resume Template for Women

The New Candidate – Simple First Resume Template

Contrast Success – Dark Free Resume Template

Weightlessness – Free Resume Template

The Green Experience Resume Template for Free

Word Resume Template Freebie – The Marshmallow

Instant Magnifier Resume Template Freebie

Free Resume Download – Level Up

Sunny Afternoon – Free Creative Resume Design

Free Upside Down Resume Template Design

Hot Resume Design Template – Chili Pepper!

Glamour, The Free Resume Template of The Week

Oxygen Resume Template Freebie

Cardinal Red Resume Template Freebie

Sweet Summer – A Free Creative Resume Template

Colors and Shapes | A Creative Resume Template Freebie

I Stand Out Resume Template Freebie

Sunny Valley | A Shiny Yellow Free Resume Template for Word

Bright Sky | Free Creative Resume Template

Free Light Grayish Green Resume Template

Electric Yellow | A Free Creative Resume Template for Word

Say It With Style! A Free Creative Resume Template

Bubble Gum | A Free Creative Resume Template for Word

Free Blue Denim Resume Template

The Unconventional | Your Creative Resume Template Freebie

Free Resume Template with a Modern Flair | Roaring Red

Perspective – Conceptual Resume Template Giveaway

Fancy Resume Template for Free | Rubicund Headliner

Free Female Resume Template – Purple Pop

Word CV Template – The Chic Applicant

Free Resume Template for the Ladies – The Vintage Rose

Creatively Smart – A Stylish Resume Template Freebie

The Artistic Jobseeker – A Creative CV Template Freebie

Dark Resume Template Freebie – Elegant Dark Grey

An Unconventional CV Template Giveaway – Avant-Garde

Classy Emerald – A Fancy Word Resume Template Freebie

The Working Woman – Resume Template Freebie for Ladies

Blush and Pixie – The Pink Resume Template Giveaway

Free Resume Template – The Sophisticated Candidate

A Splash of Blue – The Free Modern Resume Design

Professional Purple – A Free Purple Themed CV Template

Charcoal Black – A Dark Themed Resume for Free

Free Creative CV Template – Simple Green

Best part — creative resumes work.

When they are done correctly, creative resumes work. And here’s your proof:

One fresh graduate  landed a great internship at GQ magazine  without ever having to sit for an interview. He got in strictly on the merits of his resume which was designed to resemble a cover of the men’s magazine.

Sabrina Saccoccio modeled her resume after a  Facebook profile page  and not only she got a gig with CBC Radio 3, but her application went viral!

Is A Creative Resume Template For You?

Perhaps. The  type of resume  you choose should be based on several considerations. Ask yourself the following:

• What are my  career goals ?
• How can I best express my talents?
• What are the preferences of my target employers?
• How do I produce a resume that is attention-getting and career appropriate?

If you’re planning to enter a creative field and want a resume that highlights your talents, a creative resume template is the right choice for you.

You’ll also want to consider whether prospective employers will ‘get it’ if you send them a creative resume instead of a more traditional one. If you’re applying at a modern art gallery, trendy restaurant, or hip, clothing boutique, creativity might just be the little thing that gets you noticed among all the other job seekers.

Consider a creative resume if you are an artist , designer , musician , chef , actor, photographer, or in any field where creative expression is valued!

Combining Creativity With Resume Traditions That Work

Our free creative templates for Word  take a balanced approach. They allow you to express yourself and your talents effectively and uniquely. At the same time, they are structured in a way that will enable you to meet the requirements and preferences of many hiring managers. This means that you can:

• Show your personality.
• Give insight into your design, storytelling, and artistic skills.
• Use color, fonts, and other design elements to create a resume that is aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching.

At the same time, the structured nature of our templates allows you to:

• Build a scannable  resume that hiring managers prefer .
• Maximize the use of relevant keywords .
• Structure a resume to focus on your best, professional attributes.

This balanced approach means a resume or CV that is creative and interesting but maintains professional standards as well.

Finally: Get The Most Out Of Your Creative Resume

If you decide to try out one of our free creative templates, we have a few tips to make your job search as fruitful as possible.

Pay Attention to Detail . With a creative resume, you are putting yourself out there. Make sure your resume meets the highest of standards. Take care to eliminate errors and include relevant details.

Show Your Creativity And Professionalism Elsewhere . Your resume is just the beginning. Give your employers more. Link to your professional social media profiles, professional blog, and portfolio.

Match Your Resume to Your Brand . Many creative professionals work very hard at cultivating a personal and professional brand. This includes maintaining visual and aesthetic consistency when it comes to their website, portfolios, and other visual representations of their work and career. Feel free to customize your creative resume to fit into those efforts!