Not many of us have the time to search through boring resume templates on Google only to finally choose a standard resume design. While searching for a style, you may think to yourself that you shouldn’t rock the boat with your resume style choices, right? Wrong.

I know the struggle of trying to minimize your creativity — it’s real, especially for Black creatives and millennials whose only creative outlet on a resume is changing the font of the title to something with a little more sauce. However, there are other ways to remain creative yet professional.

Here is a guide on how to be unapologetically you on your resume:

1. Consider the wording

Leave your thesaurus at home. If you don’t use the word “ingenious” on the daily, then don’t try to impress the employer by using it now. Instead, use language that comes naturally to you. Show some personality!

A cool approach to take is adding some conversational statements in your resume. For example, instead of dry bullet points underneath your job duties, explain in your own words exactly what you did at your last gig.

2. A drip of color never hurt anyone

Okay, this can be tricky. A rule of thumb is to stick with an actual color scheme where each color used complements the others. Traditional resume etiquette will tell you to stick with an all-white background and dark navy-blue titles. Those resumes are like clones, produced on an assembly line. Don’t get me wrong, if that’s you, then go for it. If not, try a little pop of color.

3. Add a photo

Yes, I said what I said and I’m not taking it back. Whether it is a professional headshot, a dope pic that has great lighting, or a personable selfie — add it to your resume to give the employer a face to go along with the amazing credentials. Of course, be sure to be very thoughtful with this one.

4. Tailor it to the job

If you are applying for a graphic designer gig, then show them your skills on your resume. Put some of your work on your resume. Maybe, make it the background image. Why submit a bland resume and hope they contact you asking for samples of your work? Here is where you can let your personality and creativity shine the most. Give them a taste of what you will bring to the position.

The goal of writing an authentic resume is to avoid getting a job that will suck the life out of you for the sake of a paycheck. Life is too short to play pretend for most of the day, only to wait until you get off so you can let your guard down and be yourself. Diversity starts with remaining true to yourself and presenting it to the world unapologetically.

CV

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