Most resumes I read are as flat as the piece of paper they were written on. Many are created using templates that probably came out with a Microsoft Word package released more than a decade ago and very few use any design elements to draw attention to the most relevant content.

Everyone thinks there are certain rules around resumes…rules that dictate conformity…conformity in content, length, and even font size. But the truth is that conformity has no place in a job search. The goal is to stand out and this is particularly true of resumes.

Now, I’m not suggesting that a novel design format will mask poor content; accomplishment focused, metrics driven information about the impact you have had on an organization will generally trump design, but design elements that help the reader focus on your core competencies and achievements will better market you than a drab resume any day. Here are some design tips that will help improve the professional presentation and readability and add “bling” to the document to keep your reader engaged.

1. Bolding. This technique can help accentuate key facts, numbers, company names, job titles, or competencies.
2. Shading. Shaded areas tend to be looked at first. Consider putting a success story, key client list, or glowing testimonial in a shaded box for added impact.
3. Charts and Graphs. Want to show an increase in sales or a decrease in time spent on a particular task? Try using a simple table, pie chart, or bar graph to illustrate your point.
4. Images. Are you in a creative field where an image might best convey the value you could add to an organization? Don’t wait until they ask to see your portfolio. Consider putting a “teaser” in the resume to strut your stuff. 
5. Color. Subtle color can be used to add some flair to a document, improve readability, and capture the reader’s attention.

1. “Happy About My Resume” by Barbara Safani. This book will help readers learn how to quickly create a resume that is professional, gets them noticed, minimizes the amount of time they spend in a job search, and maximizes their earning power.
2. “I’m on LinkedIn…Now What??? (2nd Edition)” by Jason Alba. With over 35 million members in LinkedIn, this book explains the different benefits of the system and recommends best practices so that you can get the most out of LinkedIn. 
3. “Internet Your Way to a New Job” by Alison Doyle. The job market is becoming increasingly competitive. It’s more complicated than it used to be and job seekers need to be prepared to use all the online job search tools to their advantage. 
4. “The Successful Introvert” by Wendy Gelberg. This book is intended to both enlighten and empower readers with specific strategies to use in everyday personal activities so that they can achieve greater success in their lives.

In addition, Happy About publishers is offering a free copy of their eBook “Happy About Knowing What to Expect in 2009.” You can download your copy and use “Trends” in the coupon field after clicking on this link. 

These special offers end on February 28, 2009. 

• Methods for incorporating on-message keywords into the resume.
• Exciting and compelling strategies for highlighting your core brand.
• How to write accomplishment-driven, powerful content that gets noticed by hiring managers.
• Tips for leveraging the resume content to carve out your professional brand and networking strategy.

 Attendees will also be eligible to receive additional free job search resources that will be announced following the teleseminar. Can’t make it? Sign up and receive the free mp3 recording. Interested? You can register here.

• Lack of a clear focus or professional brand…no big picture 40,000 foot view of who the candidate is or what they have to offer. Or worse yet, use of a poorly crafted objective that tells the reader what the job seeker wants, but fails to address what the employer needs.
• Resume fluff…descriptions of personal attributes without any proof of having these attributes. Phrases like team player, good communicator, and out-of-the-box thinker mean nothing unless they are backed up with tangible proof of these attributes.
• Too much information on job tasks…Duties and responsibilities do little to differentiate you from the competition.
• Lack of accomplishments… No real proof of past performance or metrics to justify the impact you have made in previous positions.
• Poor design…Documents that are hard to follow, use small or ornate fonts, or lack the appropriate white space to let the document breathe.

You can download the entire interview here.

1. Career Hub Blog
2. Career Management Alliance Blog 
3. The Riley Guide
4. Happy About My Resume
5. Job Hunt
6. Jibber Jobber

1. Audit Your Resume. Most people’s resumes read like job descriptions with little or no evidence of the person’s impact on the organizations they supported. Review your resume to see if your document reads like a laundry list of job tasks or an accomplishment-focused, metrics-driven self-marketing tool. If your document screams vanilla, consider rewriting your resume or hiring a professional resume writer to help you.
2. Gather Testimonials. When someone considers you for an interview, you are basically a risk. The entire interview process is really an exercise in mitigating that risk. The hiring manager is trying to determine if you really have the skills and experience you have chronicled on your resume. A great strategy for gaining the confidence of the hiring manager is to prove your value-add through supervisor, client, and vendor testimonials. These quotes may be added to your resume or showcased through the endorsements feature on networking and identity management sites such as LinkedIn or Naymz. This type of 360 degree feedback can help you achieve greater credibility with hiring authorities and improve your chances of getting hired.
3. Reconnect. Map out all the relationships you have fostered throughout your life and think of authentic ways to reconnect with those you may have lost touch with over the years. Facebook and Classmates are great tools for reconnecting with people you went to school with and Bright Circles is an online site for reconnecting with former colleagues. Jibber Jobber is an excellent tool for storing and managing your contacts.
4. Do a Favor for Someone. Maybe you have a friend that needs assistance with a home improvement project or some help watching their kids for a few hours while they run some important errands. Think of ways to help others. This makes you more top of mind with them should you need their help in the future.
5. Join a Professional Association. So many people ignore the benefits of being part of a professional organization and only join once they are in a job search. Since relationships in these circles may take time to build, it is much better to join and give back to your professional community before you start asking for information or job leads.
6. Volunteer. Become visible in communities that are important to you. Perhaps that is the PTA at your child’s school, the co-op board in your apartment building, or the local animal shelter. Help others and they are more likely to reciprocate.
7. Get a Flu Shot. Better yet, get a full check up and have your teeth cleaned as well. If you find yourself in a job search, you want to remain healthy and you also want to have these expenses covered while you can still take advantage of your company’s health insurance benefits.
8. Manage Your Finances. Do you know what you would do with your 401K or other investments if you lost your job tomorrow? Read up on your options or find a financial advisor to help you.
9. Avoid Toxic People. Stay away from people who are chronic complainers, repeatedly report on how much money they have lost, or continuously quote unemployment statistics. Instead find a buddy who can offer support, advice and friendship and possibly make important introductions and share job leads.
10. Spend Time With Your Family. Your family can provide tremendous comfort during stressful times. Eat meals together, read to your kids, and have some alone time with your spouse. Doing so can help relieve some of the tension you may be feeling and remind you of all the ways you are blessed.