Modern vs traditional resume: which one to pick
The design cues that signal 'modern' vs 'traditional' — and which industries expect which.
The safest resume is the one that looks native to its industry. Here's how to pick.
Traditional
Serif font, no color, no icons, black-and-white, centered header. Right fit for law, accounting, finance, medicine, government, and most academia.
Modern
Sans-serif, one accent color, subtle icons, left-aligned header, generous white space. Right for tech, design, marketing, media, startups.
Editorial (advanced)
Two-tone, distinctive typography, magazine-style layout. Only pick this if you're applying to design/creative roles where the resume itself is a portfolio piece.
FAQ
Can I use color on a traditional resume?
One subtle accent (dark blue, forest green) is fine even in conservative industries. Avoid bright or multiple colors.
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