- Innovative Resume Ideas to Help You Stand Out - May 8, 2025
- How to Create an ATS Career Page That Converts: Tips & Tools - April 29, 2025
- 5 Helpful Examples of a SHRM Job Description Template - March 4, 2025
Resumes serve as gateways that connect talent with the most suitable roles based on their expertise. However, it is probably no surprise that CV trends change rapidly and employers shift their hiring priorities within the organization. So innovative resume ideas are vital. It is also no small measure that technology has become a mainstay in the TA process. For example, omitting trending keywords could lead to AI-driven applicant tracking systems overlooking an application!
At Ongig, we strive to connect decision-makers to talent and vice-versa through the power of technology and knowledge. To that end, we have outlined the latest observations on the best practices in CV preparation to help job seekers create winning impressions on their employers. So read on if you’re ready to optimize your resume for that dream job!
Leverage Creative Resume Templates
Resume templates assist potential employees in striking a chord with hiring managers by accounting for every essential CV component. While a standard template can inform companies about the details of a quality hire, creativity is integral to winning over an employer. While there is ultimately no one-size-fits-all CV, applying a creative template presents talent effectively according to a role’s specifications.
Innovative resume ideas break the monotony of sieving through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. As such, it is likelier for hiring managers to give your CV a closer look. According to Indeed, a creative CV involves unique design elements, often with visually enticing components.
The sky is the limit when it comes to creative CVs. Charts, graphs, and employer testimonies with speech bubbles are all potential additions to these compelling CVs. We share a couple of creative resume examples below to show how easy it is to stand out from the competition with a reliable template.
1. Innovative Resume Ideas From Adobe Express Job Templates
Adobe provides extensive creative templates to help talent populate their CVs with important information via visually attractive design elements. The trusty template builder lets you refine templates according to your job search. As such, you can choose from ready-to-use templates for marketing, photography, and software sectors to achieve the right vibe.
For example, the Adobe CV template below narrows down to the specific skill sets for a UI/UX designer role. Users can conveniently click and edit the expertise section to better match job description requirements. Working with a creative CV template makes it possible for job seekers to secure the first interview without the hassle of building a CV from scratch.
Similarly, the Adobe template below tailors the CV information based on the job fit. The template utilizes additional visuals to emphasize the nature of the role (i.e., graphic designer) as compared to the previous example. It is strategic to shape a resume according to industry, role, or specialization for a more thematic and seamless appearance. These factors can help you decide between an infographic resume or a traditional resume (i.e., text-focused content).
Note: While it is tempting to use color in sprucing up a CV, the selected hue would depend largely on the type of industry. Individuals from the creative field may opt for diverse compositions across a wider color spectrum. On the other hand, talent from other industries may prioritize a white background or more subdued saturation for a professional aesthetic.
2. Innovative Resume Ideas From Canva
It is impossible to skip Canva when it comes to creative templates and innovative resume ideas. The user-friendly graphic design platform offers drag-and-drop features that you can leverage at your disposal. Canva’s CV templates are also a good way to print visually appealing resumes. The site allows you to seamlessly select the quantity of letterheads, edit the content, and publish the information across career sites and job boards.
As shown below, Canva templates even provide paper quality options so talent can present a more professional CV for the interview.
The Canva template below shows how easy it is to customize each field within your CV by clicking and editing on the spot. You could essentially add your social media profiles (i.e., LinkedIn profile) to the contact panel to the side, include your years of experience, or add relevant skills for a role. Canva’s intuitive interface makes it simple for job seekers to apply for any role, be it an entry-level role in the creative industry or a coveted spot for chief creative officers.
Looking for more innovative resume ideas? Here is a list of creative resumes curated by the Ongig team to get your creative juices flowing!
Optimize Key CV Elements (Getting Creative!)
An effective resume builder or template is a huge help with the job search, but the real magic ultimately lies in one’s creativity. It is important to reposition the columns, graphics, and text to achieve the most compelling visual. Optimizing white space and reducing the wordiness of your text can also enhance readability, which is a welcome sight for busy hiring teams.
The practical tips below highlight trendy ways to beautify and effectualize your CVs (best applied with a trusty resume builder for maximum efficiency!).
Highlight Adaptability and Innovative Resume Ideas
Soft skills are a leading factor for employers, particularly since the pandemic. In fact, RMIT University highlights seven soft skills needed for a resume. These include problem-solving, teamwork, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and time management. These competencies correlate with the seventh soft skill: adaptability. Adaptability is a necessary ingredient to keep talent focused and unfazed in their roles during unpredictable scenarios.
Brief descriptions of relevant skills applied in mitigating an issue. For example, an IT professional could highlight the software and troubleshooting techniques applied in recovering revenue and productivity. It is important to back up these claims with measurable figures (i.e., profit and operational scale) and, where possible, testimonials from co-workers and supervisors. These accounts can establish professional credibility and emphasize adaptability under trying conditions.
Link to Socials
Employers constantly assess the market for passive job seekers, who make up an estimated 80% of the workforce. According to SHRM, social media remains a top data source for hiring teams focused on passive job seekers. As such, any talent under this category should consider leveraging their social media links within their CVs/resumes.
An embedded link to a professional social media profile via LinkedIn or Indeed provides employers with significant candidate information for narrowing their hiring options. These may include direct details, such as workplace testimonials and employment history, or more obscure personality indicators, such as a person’s communication style, for gauging their cultural fit.
Social media has become an enormous part of modern life that 71% of company decision-makers consider these platforms important for applicant screening. As such, a company might follow up on a LinkedIn profile check with an Instagram or Facebook search to ascertain work-appropriate behavior.
While the pre-hiring social media vetting process might seem intrusive at first glance, it enables employers to match a cultural fit. An organization with well-aligned cultural fits can maximize talent engagement and career longevity and boost the company’s long-term success.
Polish the Presentation
Upon accounting for every critical CV and linking to socials, the next step involves sprucing up the resume layout. These could include standardizing the spaces between sections, adding banners and graphics where appropriate, and enriching the overall format. However, as cautioned in our creative resume templates section, you should select visual elements based on the nature of your role and industry.
Job search platform Indeed shares the following tips for sprucing up your CV appearance with innovative resume ideas:
Apply Strategic Color Combinations: A design approach highly suited for creatives, consider swapping out standard CV backgrounds. For instance, candidates could opt for a dark background with light text instead of a light background with dark text. Doing so presents a glimpse into the individual’s style and personality, which could hint at their workplace attitudes.
Leverage Business Logos: Positioning easily recognizable company logos of former employers can help boost the visibility of career history. With these logos in place, hiring teams can scan for relatable and competitive industry experiences at a glance.
Incorporate Impactful Visuals: As evident in effective marketing gimmicks, a well-placed chart, graph, or button can substantially increase an audience’s interest and engagement. Similarly, positioning a banner, icon, or lightly shadowed texture in your CV can raise visual depth for a bolder aesthetic that connects with decision-makers.
The bottom line for optimizing your CV is that there is always room for a dose of creativity. These innovative resume ideas could motivate employers to learn more about your uniqueness as a team member. For further inspiration, here’s a compilation of Innovative Resume Ideas: Creative Designs, Infographics, and More to dial up your resume designs.
Inclusive Resume Design
A good resume opens doors. A standout resume opens minds.
Inclusive resume design is a great way to show potential employers that you’re thoughtful, aware, and ready to work with people from different backgrounds. Whether you’re applying for creative positions or management roles, inclusive design elements can make all the difference. Below are some of the best practices to help you create a strong resume that reflects not only your skills but also your values.
Remove Bias-Triggering Details
Even a perfect resume can work against you if it contains information that triggers unconscious bias. For example, your photo, age, or address might lead hiring managers to make quick assumptions, without even realizing it.
If you’re aiming for a standout resume, the better way is to leave out unnecessary personal details. So, you don’t need to list your date of birth, marital status, or even the year you graduated from college unless it’s directly relevant to the job ad. Focus on your work experience section, relevant skills, and professional achievements instead.
Use Inclusive Language
Words matter. The language in your resume summary and cover letter should be welcoming and professional. So, avoid terms that might feel outdated, biased, or too specific to one group. This is especially important if you’re applying for creative field jobs or different industries that value diversity.
A few good examples of inclusive language include:
- Saying “collaborated with a team” instead of “led a group of young interns” (age bias)
- Using “people” or “team members” instead of gendered terms like “guys” or “manpower”
- Using inclusive language is a great way to show emotional intelligence and soft skills, which many innovation managers and chief innovation officers look for in a perfect candidate.
Innovative resume Ideas: Make Your Resume Accessible
Accessibility is key in any strong resume. If someone can’t read or understand your resume because of poor formatting or design choices, you risk missing out on your dream job.
Here are some best ways to keep your resume accessible:
- Use a clean, white background for easy reading
- Choose a simple design with clear bullet points
- Avoid overly fancy fonts that don’t show up well on screen readers
- Use bold colors sparingly and stick to one or two in your color scheme
- Don’t overload the page—white space is your friend
- Make sure your contact information, LinkedIn profile, and social media profiles are easy to find, usually near the resume header
This doesn’t mean your resume has to look like every other traditional resume. In fact, if you’re applying for jobs in the creative industry, a modern resume template and innovative resume ideas can still follow accessibility best practices. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Inclusive AND Creative? Yes, Please.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between being inclusive and being creative. Many creative resume templates, especially free resume templates online, offer a modern look while staying user-friendly. Some even include space for a QR code that links to an infographic resume or digital portfolio. And that’s a great option for graphic designer roles or creative professionals.
If you need inspiration for innovative resume ideas, the following list offers creative resume examples that balance accessibility with innovation:
- A resume design example with an easy-to-read layout but pops of color and design skills
- A unique resume design with sections tailored for soft skills, relevant certifications, and a strong resume summary
- Cool resume templates that fit different industries, from tech to art to innovation-based roles
So, whether you’re a recent college grad, a career switcher, or someone re-entering the job market, inclusive design is always a good way to create a winning resume. And for those who’ve had a tough time in the past? An inclusive, visually appealing resume might just be your second chance.
Unconventional CVs
When all is said and done, an effective CV should win the short attention of hiring managers constantly overwhelmed with mountains of applications. While a reliable template builder and optimized CV elements help, job seekers have innovated further to gain the spotlight. The following CV styles show that there is absolutely no limit to how you can present your credentials and fill that vacancy in your favorite company.
Innovative Resume Ideas: Video Resumes
Video-recorded resumes have started to emerge in the age of the internet and social media. These dynamic resumes offer employers a convenient way to “meet” candidates and learn more about them, including their body language, which could reveal their personality and future conduct.
For the best response, consider keeping these videos concise (less than five minutes) by focusing on relevant information that potential employers want. These may include past work experiences, case studies on how you fixed an issue at work, and what you intend to bring to your new workplace. Also, remember to vet through the script, dress code, and video editing software for the most professional presentation.
Point of note: Check if an employer accepts video resumes before working on your clip to avoid disappointment and your valuable efforts.
Innovative Resume Ideas: QR Code Placements
Some CVs with a more modern design may feature QR codes. Scanning these codes takes employers to insightful applicant details such as their portfolios or professional websites. Adding these codes helps reduce the wordiness of your CV, improving its readability. At the same time, hiring teams still have the option of “further reading” to determine if you are well-suited for the job.
Point of note: While QR codes are a trendy way to frame CVs, they could lead to technical issues with certain applicant tracking systems (ATS). These automated platforms may accidentally disqualify and reject a resume due to the detection of an unreadable QR code image. As such, QR codes could prove risky as the technology remains relatively new in hiring practices.
Uniquely Formatted CVs
Some talented job seekers have redefined the conventions of resumes by entirely reformatting their CVs. Product manager Philippe Dubost framed his CV layout in the familiar user interface of Amazon’s e-commerce marketplace. Philippe’s innovative resume included “product tabs” showcasing his specializations, an “Add to wish list” button for future hiring opportunities, and a “Check on LinkedIn what we missed” link.
In another innovative example, Dinara Ishmuratova crafted her CV with skillful storytelling via detailed infographics. Ishmuratova’s CV chronicles her life from birth, leading to the milestone moments that contributed to her professional development. The infographic-style CV included timelines of her major projects, achievements, emotions, and work locations, giving employers a transparent and holistic view of her as a person.
Finally, we would be remiss if we failed to mention the legendary resume of Robby Leonardi, who created arguably the most interactive resume on the internet. The innovative job seeker formatted his CV as a side-scrolling video game adventure with various stages that revealed Robby’s skills and accolades. Aside from its compelling interaction, Robby’s visual presentation also demonstrated his undeniable talent as a graphic and software designer.
Closing Thoughts
With all things considered, job seekers might still think: Is the Resume Dead? It might appear so in a tech-leaning workforce characterized by Calendly appointments and personalized recruiter emails.
Yet, a recent TestGorilla employer survey revealed that 82% of employers had used resumes to hire in the past 12 months. As it stands, it is safe to say that a CV is still a must-have component in getting hired. The rules of the CV game, however, continue to shift in an ever-changing and unpredictable job market.
For any hopeful and well-qualified candidate, creativity is key to succeeding in any job search. Amidst the flood of applications, it is best to lean on unconventional CV techniques. With the right approach, an optimized CV should function like an RSVP: an exclusive and time-sensitive offer not to be missed before the slots run out.
Why I Wrote This?
Ongig is on a mission to connect organizations with the most talented individuals through the power of AI. Our advanced Text Analyzer platform eliminates inherent biases to help hiring managers attract the most qualified people every time. Request a demo with Ongig today to match talent to the right role without the guesswork!
Shout-Outs
- Indeed – FAQ: What is a Creative CV and When to Use it
- Indeed – Is It OK to Use Color in Your Resume?
- RMIT University – Seven soft skills you need on your résumé
- LinkedIn – Why Recruiters Should Focus on Passive Job Seekers
- By David Cotriss, Business News Daily – Keep It Clean: Social Media Screenings Gain in Popularity
- By Seesy, LinkedIn – The importance of hiring a cultural fit: building strong teams and boosting company success
- Indeed – Creative Ideas To Help Your Resume Stand Out From the Crowd
- Columbia University – The Pros and Cons of a Video Resume
- By Marsha Hebert, TopResume – QR Codes on Resumes: To Include or Not?
- By Amanda Augustine, TopResume – Avoid the Resume Black Hole With These Tips
- Philippe Dubost, Web Product Manager
- By Dinara Ishmuratova – My Way
- Interactive Resume of Robby Leonardi
- TestGorilla – 43 Essential Resume Statistics
