The Resume Refresh: Adding Personality and Flair to Your Resume

When it comes to the job search process, a well-crafted resume is essential. However, with so many candidates vying for the same positions, it can be challenging to make a lasting impression on potential employers.

This is where adding personality and flair to your resume can make all the difference. By showcasing your unique skills and experiences, you can stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Employers are not only looking for candidates with the right qualifications and experience, but also for individuals who will fit well within their team and company culture. Adding personality to your resume can help employers get a sense of who you are beyond your work experience. This can include highlighting your hobbies, interests, and volunteer activities, as well as showcasing your soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

However, it is important to strike a balance between showcasing your personality and maintaining a professional tone. In this article, we will explore how job seekers can refresh their resumes to add personality and flair while still presenting themselves as qualified and professional candidates. From incorporating powerful testimonials to using keywords and research to tailor your resume to specific job postings, we will cover a range of strategies to help job seekers stand out in their job search.

Why Personality Matters in Your Resume

A resume is a critical document that summarizes your professional background, skills, and accomplishments. However, in today’s competitive job market, it’s not enough to simply list your qualifications and experience.

Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can bring something unique to the table, and this is where personality comes into play.

Creative and Hard Skills

Including your personality on your resume can help you showcase your creative and hard skills. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you can use your resume to highlight your design aesthetic and showcase your portfolio. Similarly, if you’re a writer, you can use your resume to demonstrate your writing style and voice.

Content and Colors

The content and colors you use on your resume can also reflect your personality. For example, if you’re a creative and artistic person, you might use bold colors and unique fonts to make your resume stand out. On the other hand, if you’re more of a traditionalist, you might stick to a more classic format and color scheme.

Voice and Education

Your resume is also an opportunity to showcase your voice and education. For example, if you’re a natural leader, you might use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Similarly, if you have a degree in a niche field, you can use your resume to explain your expertise and passion for that subject.

Accomplishments and Examples

Including your accomplishments and examples of your work can also help showcase your personality. For example, if you’re a problem solver, you can use your resume to highlight a particularly challenging project you tackled and how you overcame it. Similarly, if you’re a team player, you can use your resume to describe a successful collaboration you had with colleagues.

Traits and Career Coach

Finally, including your personal traits and working with a career coach can help you develop your personal brand and showcase your personality on your resume. For example, if you’re a creative and innovative thinker, you can work with a career coach to develop a resume that highlights your unique ideas and approaches.

In conclusion, personality matters in your resume because it can help you stand out from other candidates and showcase your unique value proposition. By including your creative and hard skills, using the right content and colors, showcasing your voice and education, highlighting your accomplishments and examples, and working with a career coach to develop your personal brand, you can create a resume that truly reflects who you are as a professional.

How to Add Personality to Your Resume

When it comes to creating a resume, it’s essential to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications. However, it’s also important to add some personality and flair to your resume to stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips on how to add personality to your resume:

Design and Formatting

The design and formatting of your resume can play a significant role in adding personality to your application. Here are some design elements to consider:

Color: Adding a pop of color can make your resume stand out. Choose a color scheme that complements your personal brand and the industry you’re applying for.
Fonts: Selecting the right font can add personality to your resume. Choose a font that is easy to read and reflects your personal style.
White Space: Use white space to your advantage. Too much text can make your resume look cluttered, while too much white space can make it look empty. Strike a balance to create a clean, professional look.

Content and Language

The content and language of your resume are just as important as the design and formatting. Here are some tips to add personality to your resume’s content:

Message: Your resume should convey a clear message about who you are and what you can bring to the table. Use language that is confident and assertive to showcase your skills and experience.
Contributions: Highlight your contributions and achievements in your previous roles. Use bullet points to list your responsibilities and accomplishments.
Clean and Professional Experience: Make sure your resume is clean and professional. Avoid using slang or inappropriate language, and proofread your resume for errors.
Applicant Tracking System: Keep in mind that many companies use an applicant tracking system to filter resumes. Use relevant keywords to make sure your resume gets noticed.
Volunteer Work and Passions: Including volunteer work and passions can add personality to your resume. Highlight any relevant volunteer experience, and showcase your passions in a way that relates to the job you’re applying for.

Adding personality to your resume can help you stand out from the crowd and showcase your unique skills and experience. Use these tips to create a resume that reflects your personal brand and highlights your qualifications in a confident, professional manner.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

When refreshing a resume with personality and flair, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can hinder its effectiveness. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Avoid Politics and Religion

It’s best to steer clear of politics and religion in your resume. These topics can be polarizing and may turn off potential employers who have different beliefs. Instead, focus on your skills, experience, and achievements.

2. Brand Yourself

Branding yourself is a great way to add personality to your resume. Use a consistent color scheme, font, and design to create a cohesive look that reflects your personal brand. You can also include a personal logo or tagline to make your resume stand out.

3. Focus on Marketing Yourself

Your resume is essentially a marketing tool that showcases your skills and experience. Use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements to demonstrate your impact. For example, instead of saying “Managed a team,” say “Led a team of 10 employees to increase sales by 20%.”

4. Avoid Negative Language

Avoid negative language in your resume, as it can come across as unprofessional and turn off potential employers. Instead, focus on positive language that highlights your strengths and achievements. For example, instead of saying “I don’t have experience in this area,” say “I’m excited to gain experience in this area.”

5. Show Your Positive Personality

Your personality can be a valuable asset in the job search process. Use your resume to showcase your positive personality traits, such as your ability to work well with others, your strong work ethic, and your passion for your field. This can help you stand out from other candidates and make a positive impression on potential employers.

By avoiding common mistakes and focusing on branding, marketing, and positive personality, you can refresh your resume with personality and flair that will help you stand out in the job market.

Tools and Resources to Help You Refresh Your Resume

Refreshing your resume can be a daunting task, but luckily, there are plenty of tools and resources available to help you make the process easier. Here are a few options to consider:

Resume Builders

Resume builders are online tools that guide you through the process of creating a professional-looking resume. They typically provide a variety of templates to choose from, as well as prompts to help you fill in your work history, education, and other relevant information. Some popular resume builders include:

Resume Objectives

A strong resume objective can help you stand out from other applicants by highlighting your career goals and demonstrating your passion for the job. If you’re struggling to come up with an objective that showcases your personality and flair, consider using a tool like MyPerfectResume’s Resume Objective Builder. This tool provides a variety of customizable templates to choose from, as well as suggestions for strong action verbs and keywords to include.

Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence can be just as important as having a polished resume. Consider creating a personal website or online portfolio to showcase your work and highlight your personality. You can also use social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other professionals in your field and showcase your skills and experience.

Work History

Your work history is the backbone of your resume, so it’s important to make sure it’s presented in a clear and concise manner. Consider using bullet points to break up long paragraphs of text, and use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Responsible for managing a team of employees,” try “Led a team of 10 employees to achieve a 20% increase in sales.”

Extracurricular Activities

Including extracurricular activities on your resume can help demonstrate your personality and interests, but it’s important to choose activities that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a job in marketing, you might highlight your experience managing social media accounts for a student organization.

Jargon and Numerals

Using industry-specific jargon and numerals can help demonstrate your expertise and make your resume stand out. However, it’s important to use these elements sparingly and only when relevant. Make sure you’re using jargon correctly and avoid overusing acronyms or abbreviations. When using numerals, be sure to use them consistently throughout your resume and avoid using them in place of written words (e.g. “10” instead of “ten”).