The Dos & Don’ts of a Creative’s Resume

5 creative professionals tell us what to do and what to avoid when applying for a job

First impressions are always important, and even more so when looking for work. Your resume has the power to open—or close—the door to a new job or collaboration. How you present yourself during this first encounter can create an opportunity or eliminate you from the list of candidates.

Julieta Tello (@julietatello), Núria Mañé (@nuriacomunica), Reina Rodríguez Taylhardat (@reinarodriguezt), Abigail Quesnel (@abyquesnel), and Ana Marin (@anamarinen) share their best tips on how to turn your curriculum vitae into a key to open all doors.

DOs: everything you must do

Send a complete but targeted profile

I value seeing personal details, training, and experience in chronological order on a resume, as well as a candidate’s aptitude and availability. It is also helpful to attach a presentation letter to the same email, explaining the applicant’s motivation. However, the most important thing, no doubt, is to adapt all of the above information to the description of the job. Sending out a resume for a position that does not correspond to your knowledge and experience is a waste of time for those hiring and too much information can be counterproductive.
—Nuria Mañé

Original touch

I like it when people use their creativity in their resume to show their personality. It always makes them stand out from the rest.
—Reina Rodríguez Taylhardat

Intelligent ranking

To be valuable, a resume should be divided into sections and be concise; it must illustrate the abilities of the candidate, but also their own expectations for the job.
—Abigail Quesnel

Competitive advantage

It is important to list your other aptitudes in fields related to the position you are applying for. For instance, a copywriter with an interest in photography, or a data specialist with an interest in entertainment will always stand out among those who have the minimum requirements. Be aware of your versatility and sell your adaptability.
—Ana Marin

Your resume alone is not enough

It’s worth understanding what the company does precisely, and what it is looking for in the position they offer. It is also important to show curiosity for the position you are applying for and to prove your knowledge of market trends.
—Julieta Tello

DON’Ts: what to avoid

Unprofessional e-mail address

Avoid sending your resume from an email account that does not look professional, or using very informal nicknames. I always recommend using first and last names joined by a dot or underscore, rather than numbers. I also discourage using Hotmail or similar accounts.
If you do not have your own domain email account, a Gmail account seems better to me, although this may be a simple personal preference.
Your photograph is also very important. It goes without saying that text must be proofed to correct any grammatical errors or typos.
—Nuria Mañé

Watch out for confusion

Something that will certainly make a candidate lose points is leaving errors and typos. This problem, just like disorganized and unclear details, will not give a good impression to any recruiter of any sector.
—Reina Rodríguez Taylhardat

Distracting complexity

Avoid a layout with elaborate designs that are hard to view. Less is more. In terms of content, you must ensure that the information you present regarding what you can contribute to the company is also as clear as possible.
—Abigail Quesnel

Subliminal negative messages

Avoid including details that suggest negative qualities, such as having a tendency not to last at a job. In addition, do not speak more about yourself personally or emotionally than of your professional competency. These could send an unwanted message to the reader.
—Ana Marin

Again: your resume alone is not enough

Lateness and lack of interest at a job interview can destroy even the best professional resume.
—Julieta Tello

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