Original Ideas for Your Resume: Sample creative resume

In this guide, we will show you how to create an original and authentic resume, in terms of content as well as style. You will also find some original CV ideas which you can download for free. In addition, we will provide details on the best techniques for writing an original document.

To help you write your résumé originally, you can follow our advice on the key points to consider for each section and consult our free resume templates.

An original CV is a unique document that stands out for its content as well as its style. In other words, the color scheme, font style, and design give the resume a personal touch.

As far as the content is concerned, information is structured so that recruiters can instantly see the data they need to pick you for the role. Therefore, an original CV or resume does not contain any superfluous, imprecise, or unnecessary information.

How to write an original CV and stand out from the crowd

The configuration of your original CV needs to showcase your key information, with the help of a tailored design.

Original layout for your resume

An original and unique resume format needs to adhere to a few layout rules to really do your profile justice.

Opt for a relatively geometrical design

The layout of an original résumé could comprise several columns, or instead be laid out in a more deconstructed fashion than your classic-style resume. Your employment history could for example be mentioned at the bottom right-hand side of the page and your contact details at the very end of your resume, or indeed your resume headline could appear in the middle and at the top of your resume to fully bring it to your recruiter’s attention.

The color scheme can be striking but should follow a set logic

You can select one or several more unusual colors to highlight information that you deem to be relevant.

How to make the structure original

When it comes to creating an original and unique resume, you need to provide information in a certain order.

For example, you could use the left-hand column to present information such as:

• Your full name
• Your personal statement
• Your employment history

And in the right-hand column, you could include the following:

• Self-introduction: ‘Who am I?’ (hook)
• Training taken (academic background)
• Your hard skills and soft skills, your strengths and potentially your hobbies and interests.

You can create your very own unique resume right now with the help of our sample resumes, where you will also find our original templates.

Writing the header for an original CV

The top half of your resume should include your full name, a headline, and your original personal statement.

Headline and personal statement – dos and don’ts

Here’s an example of a first-rate headline and personal statement:

CORRECT

Junior product designer [Right-hand side] Who am I? A curious, high-energy, and highly motivated individual, with a proven track record in the field of product design – Product UX Design, product management and coding – with supporting certifications available on demand, actively seeking a position as a junior tech product designer to actively get involved with a young and dynamic team.

INCORRECT

My profile: I recently graduated from a design and business school, and I have already gained experiences in product management and in product design. I am now looking to gain experience as a product designer.

Should a photo be included?

If you are applying for a job within the US or another English-speaking country, we recommend you don’t include a photo! It’s best to refrain from adding a photo as the majority of recruiters won’t consider an applicant who includes a photo with their resume.

If you are applying for a position abroad, you may wish to include a photo in your resume. The photo you choose for your original CV needs to show recruiters that you are the right candidate for the job, as well as reflecting an aspect of your personality. The photo taken should include your head, shoulders, and upper body. The goal here is to appear professional and to instill your recruiters with confidence.

Choosing an original headline for your resume

Are you looking for your first job as a product designer and the only experience you have in the field are internships? Then you can get creative with your resume headline.

An example of an original headline would be:

CORRECT

(Very Motivated!) Junior Product Designer

Another example, less original and potentially uninspiring, would be:

INCORRECT

‘Junior Product Designer’.

To create an original document, you need to stand out… and so be truly original! For more ideas on writing your headline, be sure to take a look at our website. Check out our stylish online resume templates, our selection of creative and above all functional resumes to set yourself apart from the rest!

The work experience section for a brand-new resume

The work experience section is an essential part of an original CV. The information you provide needs to be genuine and offer plenty of detail.

Here is an example:

CORRECT

Work experience 2020 (6 months) Product designer - Uber

• Implemented UX design processes and honed my skills within the top tech team in the UK.
• Optimized the organization of work procedures and product structuring to attract more and more new users.

[Up arrow] 2019 (6 months) Assistant Product Manager - Uber

• Rethought the latest features and the management of business deals by optimizing the organization of new ventures.
• Tested new interfaces on clients and created the best conditions for managing their user experience

[Up arrow] 2018 (6 months) Assistant product manager - Volaris

• Conducted data-flow analyses of the application to increase data volume
• Drew up a customer retention strategy alongside a team of hyper-performing developers

INCORRECT

Work experience 2020 (internship) Product designer Uber

• Gained knowledge about the uses and applications of UX design
• Helped facilitate the organization of work processes and enhanced product structuring

2019 (6 months) Assistant product manager - Uber

• Sought out new features
• Set up an interface for measuring user experience

2018 (6 months) Assistant product manager - Volaris

• Conducted analyses of the application’s dataflow
• Drew up a customer retention strategy

Describing your work experience in a creative and original way

Regardless of the format, your original CV will take, the work experience section must include the following:

• The job title, the starting date, and the duration
• The name of the company you worked for; you could also indicate the sector of activity if it is not well known
• The main tasks carried out

Regarding this last point, your experiences section should not only indicate the tasks assigned to you, but also, and above all, the objectives of each task, and therefore the knowledge you acquired over your time working for a given company.

Finally, you could draw connections between each of your past experiences and show that you have been able to build up your skill set – and this goes for internships too!

Education section in an original CV/Resume

References to training courses you have taken will take on the same format as that of a classic resume.

What should come first: education or work experience for an original CV/ resume?

Whether a resume is original or not, recruiters only have a few seconds to gauge if a resume is worth their attention. You should therefore take the time to decide on which section you would like to appear first.

If you don’t have any work experience yet, start off with your education, especially if it is relevant to the post and if your diploma is highly regarded.

As soon as you do have some experiences under your belt, start your resume off by listing these instead.

How should qualifications be listed in an original CV/resume?

When writing up an original CV, you will also need to mention your academic experiences, and include the following:

• The title of the degree/qualification
• The year of completion
• The level of study (BBA, MSc, etc.)
• The issuing body (the university, school, etc.)
• Any merits or distinctions awarded (where you top in your year?)

Just like in your work experience section, you can make connections between your various academic experiences, as shown in our different creative resume examples that you can find online here.

Sample education section for an original and creative resume

CORRECT

2021 – Coding certification, PCWorkshops, London 2020 – Professional Diploma in UX Design, UX Design Institute, [Up arrow] 2019 – MSc in Product Management, EDHEC Business School, Boston [Up arrow] 2018 – EDHEC International, international business track, Seattle

Marketing major

What skills to mention on your resume to make it original

Whether you are aiming for an resume format or not, you still need to dedicate a section to your technical and social skills. The resume samples we offer contain this kind of information.

What skills are associated with an original and creative resume?

Imagine you are applying for a job opening for a junior product designer within a company currently developing an app. Here are some of the hard skills or technical skills which you could mention:

• UX design
• Rhinoceros 3D
• Alias
• Graphics
• Coding
• French
• Hebrew
• Office packages

As for soft skills, you could consider integrating the following into your resume:

• Teamwork skills
• Communication skills
• Project management skills
• Ability to adapt to change
• Analytical skills
• Writing ability
• Proactivity

Finally, you can’t create an original CV or resume without spending some time on your hook— your attention-grabbing personal statement.

Writing the perfect hook for an original and creative resume

The resume hook will reflect all the necessary skills for the desired job, and when you are working towards an original CV format, your opening statement should also reflect your personality.

Original personal statement example for a junior role

Are you applying for a job opening for a ‘Junior Product Designer’? In an resume format, you could include the following opening statement:

Original personal statement example for a senior role

Are you applying for a job opening for a ‘Senior Product Designer?’ Here is an example taken from a creative resume. It kicks things off with the following punchy opener:

Take a look at our online creative sample resumes to help you craft the perfect personal statement (online resume) and for color schemes as well as monochromatic style ideas. Take a look, it’s free!

Additional sections that will get you noticed

Adding certain sections to your resume can give you an edge on your competition – IT skills and certifications, foreign languages, as well as hobbies and interests.

Original IT skills and certifications

The more technical the job is, the more important it will be that you mention the IT skills and requested certifications that you have under your belt, be it a creative or a classic resume.

Therefore, a product designer who has taken a training course in UX design will possess a real asset that they need to showcase in their original CV. Having skills in coding is also a big plus for this particular post.

Languages to use in an original CV or resume

Finally, knowledge of foreign languages is also a real strong point for you to focus on in your resume. A solid command of English is often essential. If you are not a native speaker, you need to indicate your level and back it up by indicating any official certifications you have obtained, such as the TOEFL or IELTS exams.

Moreover, if you claim that you are fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, or another language, you need to indicate any diplomas you have obtained and your test scores to corroborate this.

Hobbies and interests

Whether it be an original format that you are aiming for or not, references to your hobbies and interests will only be of interest if they have some sort of connection with the job offer.

Let’s return to our example of the job offer for a junior product designer for an app development company. In this case, given that it’s a top market for app development, you could mention that you’re a big sports fan.

Driver’s license

Information relating to your driving license may be relevant in a number of different scenarios.

For example, imagine you’re applying for an opening for a field sales rep and will need a car to get around and visit clients within your sales territory. In this case, you would be well advised to highlight this information!

Moreover, if you’re sending your original CV (resume) to a company that’s completely cut off from all public transport, mentioning your license may prove to be of relevance.

If this is not the case, however, there is no need to provide this kind of information.

References

Good references could be what sets your creative resume apart from the rest. They should include the following information:

• The referee’s full name, their position, and the company they work for
• Their contact information: phone number and/or email address

Good references can really be what sets you apart from the rest. You can choose to use someone as a referee so long as your time spent working for that company was successful, and you managed to nail your objectives! References become especially important when the company you worked for is highly regarded and the position you filled was high up on the corporate ladder.

You can discover our different original sample resumes right now by following this link.

Summary: key points for writing an original and compelling resume

The original and compelling resume format must include the following:

• The header: full name and an a unique headline
• An original and attention-grabbing personal statement that reflects your personality as well as your key skills (‘who am I?)
• A section for your work experience, drawing connections between each role and outlining the tasks carried out.
• Your education and training experiences
• Your technical skills or hard skills
• Your interpersonal skills or soft skills
• Your hobbies and interests, where relevant
• Any possible references

Writing an original cover letter to complement your resume

Despite the originality of your application, you still need to submit a cover letter alongside your resume. Why, you ask? Because recruiters are particularly partial to candidates who take the time to add a personal touch to their submission via their cover letter.

In your cover letter, be sure to show your recruiters that you’re a cut above the rest, that you’re motivated, that you’ve got a track record of successfully completing certain tasks and that you brought real added value to the table in the companies you have previously worked for. Opt for a simple format, potentially with a dash of color and some graphics – put yourself in your recruiter’s shoes as you write, imagine them having your document in their hands and reading it over.

Your cover letter is also an opportunity for you to unleash your creativity and land your dream job with an utterly unique and unparalleled application.

Unleash your creative side and download (Word or PDF format) one of our cover letter templates, simple but not too simple, to ensure you get yourself noticed!