Resumes: Using color, classy or tacky?

[tr90814]

I hope I posted this in the correct forum. I did a search on this topic and didn't find any info.

What do you think of using colored paper for a bodywork resume? What about colored ink? I'm thinking something subdued like cream colored paper and navy blue text.

I've heard in the past that using color in a resume is a no-no, but I think now it depends more on your field, and is probably more likely to be accepted in a creative/artsy field. Just plain white paper with black ink seems to blah to me for some reason. I think color may help your resume to "stand out", but in a good way? I'm not sure.

So, what do you think?

If anyone would like to share their resume or format, that would be VERY helpful too. Thanks.

 

[fuzzy!]

I think it's a good idea, as long as you use a subtle colour like cream, or baby blue or something like that. It kind of reminds me of the scene in Legally Blonde when she gives her teacher a hot pink resume with her perfume one it!! LOL But if you have a nice light colour it would look professional yet creative. People probably see a million resumes with black ink on white paper, it would make yours stand out.

I used to put my name in navy blue, and every resume I handed out got me an interview.

 

[Caryn]

If I received your resume, and it were in color or on colored paper, I would think that was fine. What, honestly, strikes me most about a bodyworker's resume is the content & if it screams, "we did this as a project in my BP&E class".

I hope you generate lots of interest & find a great place to work!

Jill/sagetherapist

 

[CHRISTINE S]

I agree Jill. Content is key. There is plenty of time to be "original" AFTER you get the job.

 

[Champion]

It would also depend on what kind of business you are applying at. Artsy stuff might not go over as well at a PT office, rehab center or chiro office, but might be welcomed at a more "free-spirit" location?

For instance, our clinic is owned by a CPA and if we received a resume that was (as she would say) too "new-agish" she generally would put that one at the bottom of the pile. That's just her preference. Now, that doesn't mean she wouldn't hire someone with a resume like that, just means that her 1st impression would be a little lower than a resume that looked more professional.

I would think subdued would be fine anywhere. I think you mentioned ivory paper with navy ink? I think that would be fine and would indeed make your resume stand out with out making you appear "way out."

As Jill mentioned, content is the key. One thing that really stands out for us is if someone has a break in their employment record. Now, if the time of the break coincides with their schooling or the birth of a child or something like that, that's fine. But an unexplained break usually looks funny as if someone is avoiding giving previous employment info that would be detrimental to their odds of getting a job.

I'm currently in the process of hiring a receptionist. It's tax season so our CPA owner is too busy, so this job falls on me. When I'm looking at the resumes, I look 1st at things like education and previous employment. I don't like to have to search through a bunch of other stuff to find what I'm looking for. Make sure your resume is precise and easy to read. If I come across one that is "cluttered" it makes me not want to bother reading it.

Good luck,
Angie

 

[Minyona]

Mine is on a paper called blue granite... I like it because it stands out slightly from the rest and is easily picked out from the white and off white paper in the pile. I don't like to be boring, but still look classic.

Slightly off topic - This actually worked out to my benefit for a class I was taking, and I ran out of white paper and didn't have time, so all I had was light blue paper in the house ( I don't know why I even had it ) but my professor stated that she lost my paper... and I said nope... looking at the pile it is right there!!! BUSTED!!! She was aweful and I wrote her up to the Dean of the college!!!

 

[Kratos]

What, honestly, strikes me most about a bodyworker's resume is the content & if it screams, "we did this as a project in my BP&E class".



Jill/sagetherapist

Hey, Jill, (or anyone else) forgive me for being niave here, but could you elaborate on this a bit, please? I understand the importance of content, certianly, but what would make a resume look like a class project?

Gessika, blue ink on cream sounds nice as long as it is easy to read.

 

[Dream Girl]

i think colored paper is a great idea but i wouldn't use colored ink. i think most of the time it is just so much easier on the eyes to read the ink that is black. i have used colored paper for my resume's in the past and have always gotten the job i was applying for. (two were not massage therapy jobs) i like the idea that it stands out as being different. something a little more unique!

 

[iGo Hard!]

Black ink, ALWAYS. Cream, ivory, very pale grey or tan paper with a subtle deckle is fine. No cute-sy colors (pink, blue, yellow, green, or god forbid, purple).

What is most important is the paper quality. Use a high-quality, heavyweight, 100% cotton, watermarked paper. Any paper with all of these attributes will be a senisble color. Ask speficically for "resume" paper. Not-white is a great choice to make it stand out of the pile on the desk.

Use a standard, classic font, like Times Roman or a sans-serif like Ariel. Nothing cute or italicized, cursive, frilly, or difficult to read. You'd be surprised how often people do this. Those get put right into the 'circular file'.

Keep the page uncluttered. Be concise. Proofread, proofread, proofread, backwards and forwards.

And...good luck!