Communicating With Color

Posted by in Retail


Employers are flooded with more resumes than they know what to do with and many don’t get a second glance. Counting on a simple black and white skill set to stand out in a pile of other equally qualified applicants might not be enough to get noticed. In order to really get a resume recognized, go ahead and use the color cartridge. 

 

Before bleeding the printer dry by adding every hue in the spectrum, it is important to keep in mind that color conveys many messages. The psychology of color theory can catch an employer’s eye and speak volumes without using words but this goes both ways – good and bad. Because of cultural undertones and implications color should be used thoughtfully and intentionally.

 

Scoop.it says resumes that get noticed:

 

  • tell a story
  • inject personality while maintaining professionalism
  • highlight and demonstrate expertise in a relevant way
  • pique the curiosity of the recipients

 

This can be done through the use of color. Here are some popular colors and some input as to what they imply:

 

Blue – considered a successful corporate color. Melancholy and calm, blue alludes to characteristics like responsibility and loyalty as in “true blue.” Navy Blue is a good alternative for professionals who don’t want to sway too far from the traditional black and white color scheme.

Red – gets the heart rate going. A power color, red provokes feelings of passion. Bold blocking can draw the eye to areas of interest but red text should be avoided when applying for big business positions because it is associated with debt like when a company is “in the red.”

Yellow – light and bright, almost over stimulating. One of the harshest colors on the eye, yellow should be used in moderation and, like the markers, primarily for highlighting. Pick parchment over plantains when it comes to shades of yellow. Light tans and sepia tones are a good way to integrate a “sunny side” into professional paperwork without being overly obnoxious.

Green – brings new beginnings and growth. Natural energy exudes from various shades of green which are also commonly connected with financial success. Dark forest greens read down to earth while bright spring greens come off as fresh and energetic. Ecologically responsible companies tend to gravitate towards those who “go green.”

Purple – relays royalty and luxury. Properly placed deep purples can “pomp up” any document with sophistication as long as the right shades are selected. Steer clear of pastel purple unless the intent is to appear feminine and romantic. Burgundy and maroon make for a more powerful impression.

Orange – dripping in vibrant and energetic appeal. A color of change like the autumn leaves, orange is tangy and suggests health and vitality. A risky color choice that can pay off if utilized correctly in a warm, friendly and inviting manner.

Black – basic traditional elegance at its finest. Black is easy to read and commands attention. Try using it in elements other than text to emphasize contrast and content.

White – represents purity and grace. Not enough can be said for considerate use of “white space” especially when it comes to a resume. Make sure the contents have an appropriate amount of breathing room so skills can be seen instead of skimmed.


When mixing and matching colors, make sure to play it safe and tasteful. You should be careful about using too many colors, or using hues that clash.

 

Nexxt also offers the Career Portfolio for visualizing your career experiences in new ways. For example, you can depict your work experience in a clear, visual timeline, so potential employers can see your career progression and relevant experience at a glance. There are variety of other sections that allow you to highlight your value, quantify accomplishments and highlight relevant keywords. You can even print and share your Career Portfolio with colleagues and recruiters.


More is often merrier but that’s not always the case when it comes to colors in professional correspondence. Rein it in on the resume and save the rainbow for the parade. It’s acceptable to mix up to 3 different colors and/or varying shades thoughtfully and consistently within a document but don’t go overboard. When in doubt, applicants can customize each resume to correspond with a company’s color branding.

 

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos

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  • MALCOLM B
    MALCOLM B
    VERY INFORMATIVE
  • Heather Fairchild
    Heather Fairchild
    Serious job seekers need to have both digital and printable resume formats ready to go at a moment's notice. Thinking you can get by with one and not the other is limiting. Yes many companies require online submissions but anyone who is networking would do well to have a stand out hard copy on hand. It's also good to bring a copy with you when you arrive at the interview. Using color in that copy will stand out more than just xeroxing the same thing they have already seen. Stuart, for senior management the standard would be Navy blue. The stand out would be a deep burgundy.
  • Samantha F
    Samantha F
    I take strong exception to this advice.  Anyone who is seriously looking for a job knows that a paper resume is worthless.  Most employers require that you submit your application on-line, and many even require that you use their application format.Don't waste your time trying to jazz up your resume with color, or fancy fonts, or anything other than plain information about what you know and how what you know can be applied to the job you are seeking.  If you think those are going to help you, you don't know anything about doing a job search in today's environment. What's important is that you give the prospective employer a reason to hire you.  Get a good book on resume-writing, and follow the advice therein.  Language skills, in addition to your professional skills, is what will get you hired, not fancy fonts and pretty colors.  
  • Stuart G
    Stuart G
    What are the best colors for Senior Mnagement
  • Sara M.
    Sara M.
    Heather, no one uses paper resumes anymore unless they are in a creative field!if a HR departetn does get a paper resuem it is likely scanned so it can be stored with the rest of the resumes and tracked (especially if they are obligated to have an AAP)
  • Lora B
    Lora B
    I think that using color is a great idea! I am going to add a little color to my resume today. Thanks for the advice!
  • Maxine W
    Maxine W
    To me this seems to be a bit to much, however, using colors will stand out, and an employer, may think that ok this person is being different and being different may stand out, or the employer may think that it's a little to much going on in the resume.
  •  Cynthia M
    Cynthia M
    This is very interesting..although some companies require you to upload resumes as a copy and paste and specify that you use no bold, bullets or fancy formatting. For those who are asking for example resumes of what Ms. Fairchild is alluding to in this article, can be found on: http://99u.com/articles/7208/how-to-break-the-mold-reinvent-your-resum and http://www.behance.net/search?search=resume.  I hope this helps.
  • Charles S
    Charles S
    Interesting concept...might make just the right amount of a difference.
  • Alex S
    Alex S
    This sounds interesting.What colors are suggested for a college grad looking for that first position associated with the degree?
  • Alex S
    Alex S
    This sounds interesting.What colors are suggested for a college grad looking for that first position associated with the degree?
  • Dwight W
    Dwight W
    Hey.   Where is the example?       I would like to see one.   Also.  How about adding color to the whole page?  Is that a bad idea?   An off orange resume, with black text, what do you think?
  • Radhika G
    Radhika G
    A great idea
  • Kurt H
    Kurt H
    I know that Microsoft Word has background color templates built-in.  Would some of these work on a resume?  A lot of companies use scanning techniques to weed out resumes; would color interfere with these types of systems?  Just a hunch.
  • BA R
    BA R
    I never thought of this - that using colors was acceptable on job resumes.Being an artist, I feel validated!  :-)
  • Cindy S
    Cindy S
    "When in doubt, applicants can customize each resume to correspond with a company’s color branding."Spectacular idea, one that I will be incorporating. Thank you,Cindy
  • Goldie L
    Goldie L
    I really like this artical and will use it when developing/reviewing student resumes.
  • Stephanie T
    Stephanie T
    Very interesting and informative information given here.  
  • Carolyn Bartlett
    Carolyn Bartlett
    There are many people who are color blind and cannot see certain colors.  Something to keep in mind.A well designed and prepared resume will stand out even if it is just black and white.  
  • Rayna G
    Rayna G
    I would like to try it out looks inviting !
  • Crystal P
    Crystal P
    How about showing us a good example of a resume using color.In fact, why not show us a couple of good examples.

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