Introduction
When you start building your resume, the most neglected thing is the color combinations. But in reality, the best resume colors tell a lot about your professionalism, brand identity, and personality.
Interestingly, 60% or more job seekers make hasty decisions when picking the right resume color. So, that's where you can stand out! Color designs and combinations make a difference when it comes to ATS-friendly resumes. Select the resume colors and supported designs and pick curated resume templates from ResumeUp.
As per professional standards of job-hunting platforms like LinkedIn, subtle resume colors are recommended. Recruiters spend nearly 30 seconds scanning a resume. So, in this limited time, they prefer resumes that are designed professionally with easy readability against the background themes. Are there any secret rules for choosing resume colors? Let's explore!
Should Resumes Have Color?
If we go 20 years back, adding resume colors was seen as totally unprofessional and peculiar. However, the ATS scanning norms and the present expectations from your resume have changed over time.
A subtle colored resume at present not only is accepted but adds value to your attachments. Your recruiter from the bulk can spot your unique resume with due credit to the font color, background themes, and color combinations. At times, such initiatives can tell a lot about your creativity and personality.
But what are the unspoken color rules as per industries? Let's figure it out.
In Creative Industries
Resume color for creative industries allows some flexibility in vibrant choices. Particularly, industries like advertising and marketing, graphics development, music, art industry, content development, and product design firms can allow you to experiment with resume colors.
You can think about mixed font hues like teal, emerald green, coral, or plum.
In Formal Industries
Formal industries are more particular about the design choices you make and instead prefer traditional font shades.
Definite colors like navy blue, black, forest green, or chestnut brown are the professional choices. When you go with these resume color choices, you prefer bold styles that have easy readability and add a sense of stability.
Sectors like banking, finance, corporates, academics, executive, and public spheres of healthcare are conservative industries where you can go with reliable color codes.
What's the Best Colour for Your Resume?
Expert career counselors have revealed that we all have a colored psyche. These colors convey emotions and have a major role in personal branding.
Conservative Color Patterns
- Black: Black resume choices are more common, but you can have great combinations with other font colors. These black color resume designs are authoritative and show your powerful personality.
- Blue: Blue as a color reveals your calm and confident personality. Particularly for fintech or corporate firms, these resumes are a perfect match.
- Green: Green resumes are also designed mainly for traditional industries. It signifies wealth and money safety or stability.
Off-Beat Color Patterns
- Red: Red, as a color combination for your resume, is enough to seek attention from the recruiters. It defines vibrancy, boldness, and passion for the job role. However, remember red thematic resumes may not be a fit for formal sector companies. You can try them out for the entertainment, marketing, and sales sectors.
- Orange/ Yellow: Those who want a less expressive choice can opt for orange or yellow resume formats. They reflect positivity, sociability, and creative aspects. For freelancing, sports, travel, or relatable fields you can try the resume colors.
- Pink/ Purple: Pink or purple tones somehow add feminine vibes. So, for the beauty and fashion industries, you can build your resume with these rich colors.
- Gray: If you are someone who is less dramatic and always prefers balanced decisions, you can choose gray resume thematic templates for applying for jobs.
How to Choose a Color Scheme for Your Resume: Guidelines
The Psychological Impact of Resume Colors on Your Job Application
The most immediate way of judging your job profile by your hirers is in terms of color formatting. Color preferences can tacitly reflect your personality.
For example, vivid colors like red, black, and blue show powerful and bold individual characteristics. Choices like teal, coral, and plum are unusual. They show your softer side and your readiness to implement outside-the-box brand ideas.
Designing Readable Resumes: Best Practices for Color Selection
Following a consistent color scheme or combination of more than one color in the resume creates visual interest for the readers. Some major color schemes are monochromatic, analogous, and complementary.
When it's about professionally designing your resume, don't use more than three shades, that is, primary, secondary, and accent colors.
For example, for your primary color, you can use black or blue as secondary and light green for accent.
Professional Resume Formatting
The resume colors you choose should be easy for the eyes of the recruiters. Pale colors like light pink or yellow shades may be good for the background but not for font colors.
The most simple-to-read fonts are the opposite color, like black and white, or neutral choices, like navy blue or gray, which shows extreme professionalism.
Use Standard Resume Formatting Practices
There are some unsaid rules for formatting your resume that you must abide by—such as choosing basic colors like gray, black, and blue for acceptability and different color choices to highlight the text of your headings.
Again, the standard resume formatting practices are specific to industries. For creative job spheres, you can format them with bright, appealing colors like burgundy or red. However, such choices are not ideal for conventional industries.
Design Cover Letters with Matching Color Scheme
The other must-attach with your perfectly designed resumes are the cover letters. For that, try to implement font colors that match your resume color scheme.
For example, for your neutral blue and black-themed resumes, you can't use contradictory shades on your cover letter. They should be perfectly aligned on the content as well as the thematic aspects.
3 Templates with Winning Resume Color Schemes
Crafting your resume from scratch is taxing, especially when you have to build ATS-supported ones. ResumeUp offers templates that are ready-made for job seekers. There you can customize colors based on your preference and industry standards. Some samples include—
Classic Templates
Classic templates are recommended for corporate job roles where you can be bold but simple enough. Neutral color bases like navy blue, and sea green shades with common black font combinations can be appealing. Two-shade templates are good for quick scanning, where the recruiter will know what headline highlighters to follow and what to leave.
Standard Templates
Standard Templates are not too dramatic and balance the color duos you choose. Often, these types of resumes prove ATS-friendly for all industries as they are monotonous, bold, and over-expressive.
Panoramic Templates
Resume templates like panorama or creative ones are visually rich and demarcate two or more color schemes. In modern industries like digital marketing arenas, panoramic templates are preferred.
Are Colored Resumes Compatible with ATS Systems?
Apart from the content, structure, and length of your resume, the color scheme also matters to the automated tracking system. As per modern standards, text colors that are similar to the background themes often are harder for the system to scan.
So, by wisely choosing colors like navy blue, black, purple, green, etc., against a lighter background, it is easier for the ATS scanners to read. To make sure that your resume can be read by ATS, try professional subtle colors that don't go overboard.
Selecting the Right Colors for Your Cover Letter
For new aspirants, you must know that resumes and cover letters are complementary to each other. The purpose of your cover letter is to let your recruiter know why you are extraordinary from the rest. It depends on the job type and the industry you are applying to. Typically neutral color tones like dark blue and black are ideal for cover letters. Also, remember that the best resume colors you are applying should also match the text color of your cover letter.
Mainly a cover letter is a space where you can convince the hiring company about your specialty and your approach to problem-solving. It reflects a lot about your personality. So, as per the job type, apply neutral tones like black or gray. But in teaching, support, and recreational industries, you can also use pastel colors like teal or coral alternatively.
Final Words
In a nutshell, the best resume colors you choose unveil a lot about your personality and choice to the recruiter. In fact, with professional schematic colors, you can secure your application for the interview round. Applying bold colors makes it appealing and easy to read for the hirers. Even during the ATS screening process, the contrast in your text color and background can help the system detect your content easily. So, what's stopping you from building a resume and customizing your resume templates with ideal colors for free from ResumeUp!
Posted by
RohithRohith, Co-Founder of ResumeUp.AI, with a decade of experience in the software industry and having conducted over 500+ interviews as a hiring manager, shares his personal experiences, success stories, and tips to help job seekers optimize their resumes and land their dream job.
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Frequently asked questions
How do resume colors affect ATS systems?
Resume colors can impact ATS systems in several ways. While most modern ATS systems can read colored text, using colors that contrast well with the background is essential. Avoid using light colors on light backgrounds or dark colors on dark backgrounds, as this can make text difficult for ATS to scan. Stick to high-contrast combinations like black text on white background or navy blue text on light backgrounds for optimal ATS compatibility.
What are the most professional resume colors?
The most professional resume colors include navy blue, dark gray, forest green, and black. These colors convey professionalism, reliability, and competence. For creative industries, you might consider teal, burgundy, or deep purple as they maintain professionalism while adding a touch of creativity. The key is to use colors that enhance readability while reflecting the industry standards of your target field.
How many colors should I use in my resume?
For a professional resume, it's best to use a maximum of 2-3 colors. A primary color for main text (typically black or dark blue), a secondary color for headings or section titles, and possibly an accent color for highlights or important information. Using too many colors can make your resume look unprofessional and distract from your qualifications. Remember that subtlety is key when it comes to resume colors.
Should I use different colors for different sections of my resume?
While you can use different colors for different sections, it's important to maintain consistency and professionalism. A common approach is to use a neutral color (like black or dark gray) for the main text and a slightly different color (like navy blue) for section headings. This creates visual hierarchy without being distracting. Avoid using bright or neon colors, and ensure all colors have sufficient contrast with the background for readability.
Do different industries prefer different resume colors?
Yes, different industries often have different color preferences. Traditional industries like finance, law, and healthcare typically prefer conservative colors like navy blue, black, and dark gray. Creative industries like marketing, design, and media may be more open to slightly bolder color choices like teal, burgundy, or deep purple. Research your target industry and company to understand their color preferences and adjust your resume accordingly.
Can I use colored paper for my printed resume?
While you can use colored paper for your printed resume, it's generally recommended to stick with white or off-white paper. Colored paper can make your resume stand out, but it may also make it harder to read or scan. If you do choose colored paper, select a very light, professional shade that doesn't interfere with readability. Remember that many companies scan resumes, and colored paper may not scan well.
How do I choose colors that match my personal brand?
To choose colors that match your personal brand, consider your personality traits, professional values, and the industry you're targeting. If you want to convey reliability and stability, opt for blues and grays. If you want to show creativity and energy, consider teal or burgundy. You can also look at your existing personal brand elements (like your LinkedIn profile or portfolio) and use consistent colors. The key is to select colors that authentically represent you while remaining professional.
Are there any colors I should avoid in my resume?
Yes, there are several colors you should avoid in your resume. Bright or neon colors like hot pink, bright yellow, or lime green can be distracting and unprofessional. Light pastel colors may be difficult to read, especially when printed. Red should be used sparingly as it can convey aggression or errors. Additionally, avoid using too many colors or colors that don't contrast well with each other or the background. When in doubt, stick to professional, conservative color choices.