LEO: Literacy Education Online Imaginative Resumes

When designing your resume, you'll want to spend some time deciding on the format that presents your background most favorably. Imaginative resumes may include the same type of information that chronological, functional, and skills resumes do. However, the presentation of imaginative resumes leaves more room for creativity. In fact, imaginative resumes market qualifications and artistic ability simultaneously, which is important if a creative or artistic person is begin sought.

For example, one section of an imaginative resume might look like the following:

If you're thinking about using an imaginative resume, consider the following:

• An imaginative resume is appropriate if . . .
  • your artistic skills, used to enhance the visual design of your resume, market your creativity in an appropriate way given your prospective employer and the position you're seeking.

  • your qualification are highlighted in an effective yet unusual way to catch an employer's attention.

• An imaginative resume is challenging because . . .
  • designing a professional looking resume can be extremely difficult; creativity cannot be overdone, or employers will be "turned off" rather than impressed.

  • you must analyze your audience carefully to be sure that a creative resume is appropriate. Imaginative resumes and conservative or moderately conservative prospective employers do not mix!

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