Creative Resume Templates and Examples

What is a creative resume?

The creative resume style is one that doesn’t adhere to traditional norms in terms of format and content. It’s eye-catching and visually appealing, making use of unique elements like color, font formatting, and graphics to convey information.

Candidates using a creative format often provide outside links to multimedia content like videos and online portfolios, which are important for design-based and other creative roles. You might include a headshot even, as seen in the example creative resume shown below.

A creative resume can help you stand out when applying for jobs that value outside-the-box thinking. It can also help you showcase skills that are relevant to the job, like graphic design or data visualization.

Who should use a creative resume?

Anyone applying for jobs in creative fields like design, media, film, or tech
Job seekers looking to use their resume to showcase relevant skills
Applicants to jobs that require a portfolio or other supporting materials
Candidates with an especially lengthy or diverse work history who want to sharpen the focus on their skills

Who shouldn’t use this type of resume?

Candidates for jobs in conventional fields like law or banking
Applicants to jobs that use an applicant tracking system (ATS), which can’t read most creative resumes
People who are more comfortable working with text-based formatting

Creative resume format and key components

Assuming you’re in a field that accepts it, building your resume can actually be a lot of fun. The format you use and the components you include are entirely up to you based on what you wish to showcase. If you’re applying for a video production job, for example, you might create a video clip to accompany each section of your resume.

Even though you should think outside the box, there are still a few essential components to include that most hiring managers will be looking for:

Contact info and website link
For most creative professionals, your skills can’t be summed up in words on paper. That’s why it’s essential to include a website with additional assets that demonstrate your abilities in addition to your regular contact info. This might be a personal blog that showcases clips if you’re a writer or a portfolio of your images if you’re a photographer. Include links that give hiring managers the opportunity to explore your skills beyond your resume.
Profile
A profile is a short statement that sells your strengths and sums up your most relevant experience. Unlike in a traditional resume, where it’s best to keep your summary focused on professional skills, the profile in a creative resume might include tidbits that help the hiring manager learn more about the candidate as a person, like passions and hobbies.
Skills
Even if you’re using this format, you still need to focus on highlighting the skills that are most important for the job. Use the job description to discern which skills the hiring manager is most likely to be looking for, then tailor your resume for each application. Visuals like graphics can be a great tool for showcasing different skills–see the resume shown here for an example.
Experience
No matter how eye-catching your resume is, most hiring managers will still go straight to your work experience section first. Be sure to include the essentials–the name of the company, your position, and the dates you were employed–along with your most noteworthy achievements.
Education
List the name of the institution and the degree or credential you received. If you’ve received any specialized training that’s related to the job, it can be included here, too.

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FAQs

Why are creative resumes used?

They can help someone stand out when applying for jobs that value originality. They’re an effective way to showcase skills that are relevant to the job, like visual design or user experience.

What are the most important parts of a creative resume?

Though the format of resumes may vary, there are a few important parts they should include: contact info, profile, skills, experience, education, and a link to supporting materials like a personal website or portfolio.

What is the difference between a creative and a traditional resume?

A traditional resume is text-based, follows a standard structure, and does not contain additional visual elements like graphics. A creative resume is unique from one candidate to the next and is customized based on what the candidate wants to showcase. It may contain visually interesting elements like color, images, and even multimedia content.

What is a reverse creative resume?

A reverse creative resume is one where the candidate’s work history is listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent position first. This is the typical way of listing work experience regardless of the resume format being used.

How far back should resume work history go?

Your resume should focus on your most recent 10 to 15 years of work experience.

What should I do if I have a lot of short-term jobs?

If you’ve had a lot of short-term jobs, using a creative format can help minimize the appearance of job-hopping and direct attention toward your relevant skills.

Should I list references on a creative resume?

Since most hiring managers only ask for references once you’ve made it past the first few rounds of interviews, there’s no need to use your resume space on them.

How many pages should a creative resume be?

Traditional advice states that a resume should be no longer than one to two pages. A creative resume, however, gives you the opportunity to provide links to outside sources like your online portfolio where you can include as much material as you want.

What font should be used in creating my resume?

The best resume fonts are traditional and easy to read. A creative resume offers more leeway for non-traditional font choices, but you should still stick to fonts that are familiar to most readers.

What are some common mistakes people make when creating a creative resume?

Even if you’re using a creative resume format, don’t make the mistake of getting too creative. Avoid overly complex fonts and busy design elements that make it hard for a hiring manager to find what they’re looking for. Additionally, don’t neglect the opportunity to provide links to additional materials like your website that spotlight your creative abilities.

Do I need to worry about keywords in my resume?

It’s essential that your resume contains keywords that hiring managers and applicant tracking systems are looking for. These can be found in the job description (especially the requirements and qualifications sections) and by using free keyword finder tools online.
Related: How to find keywords in a job description to use in your resume

What is the most important thing to communicate with a resume?

No matter what resume format you’re using, the most important thing to communicate is your relevant skills. Even the best-looking resume won’t result in an interview invite if you lack the skills required to do the job.

Should I include an objective in my resume? Is it always needed?

Including an objective in your resume is optional. When using a creative resume format, an objective section can be used to show a bit of your personality, which is often relevant to hiring managers for creative roles.

Should I clarify my gender or desired pronouns on my resume?

Many hiring managers welcome seeing a candidate’s desired pronouns on their resume, and it’s becoming increasingly common. Including your gender pronouns can signal that an inclusive workplace is important to you.

Should I list my hobbies or interests?

Unlike a traditional resume, where including hobbies and interests is discouraged, this style offers more leeway for incorporating this kind of personal information. It may be a welcome addition for companies that prioritize culture to help get to know you beyond a list of skills and work experience.