Web Resume Project

Color It for Interest

The overall guideline for adding color to your web resume is to use light shades with dark text. "Why?" you ask. Simple, you want to have good contrast. Dark colored text on a light background works best for readability. More importantly, if your reader opts to print your web resume, light colored letters won't print very well on white paper (printers don't come equipped with white ink)—most browsers are set so that web page backgrounds are not printed, so you need dark text. You should test print your web resume to ensure all necessary information is printed.

For the main body of your web resume, it is best to use a white or light pastel solid color background. Textured graphics backgrounds, if used, should have low texture contrast and have only a limited amount of text. The following example is an actual web resume with original graphics and page design. It is shown in an HTML editor window so the table outlines and anchor tags are visible—when viewed in a browser, the dotted table outlines and anchor tags will not be visible.

Your "artist's eye" comes into play when selecting colors. Colors should be complementary. If you're one of those who has trouble coordinating your clothing, you might consider getting opinions from some "artsy" folks. Your goal is a creation pleasing to the eye. Note in the above sample:

The blue hues are in the same color family, and the gold buttons go well with blue.
The textured blue background on the top and left help to frame the light blue resume body without being too overbearing.
Although vivid colors should be avoided, they can be used sparingly, and the more vivid electric blue of the resume headings makes them stand out. The major resume sections are easy to locate.