Contrary to some articles out there, resumes aren’t dying. They are changing, as some of the old rules are being tossed out (one-page resumes), and some new rules are being brought in (mobile-ready resumes). But while changes are creeping in on this tried-and-true tool, some job-seekers are trying to stand out by taking their resumes a step further—maybe too far! In the effort to stand out in a competitive job market, a “creative” resume isn’t always the best strategy.

A creative resume will make you stand out, but not necessarily in a good way. While recruiters are methodically scanning resumes, they will have to pause at yours, if only to hunt for the information they’re looking for. They want to quickly see what your current job is and where, and where your career trajectory has taken you. And when your resume is number 79 in a pile of 100, this now frustrating and time-consuming task can get you passed over instead of praised.

Your creative resume can hurt your search if it is:

• Too flashy. It’s good to show qualities no other candidate has! But unless you’re an artist or graphic designer, your resume’s appearance should be simple. Your goal is to be accessible, not artsy, and hiring managers are used to looking for the information they want in the places they expect to find it. So leave off distracting headshots, colored ink or paper, and fancy infographics. Stick with a straightforward font and a format that highlights your best achievements.
• Not job specific. If you’re pouring your energy into creativity, you can lose what’s most important—tailoring your resume to each and every job description. That’s how you really stand out from the crowd, by showing you’re the best person for the job. What good is a creative resume if it’s not doing any legwork?
• Oversaturated with keywords (or missing them entirely). Creative “keyword stuffing” makes for a robotic-sounding resume. And you are a person, not a Google AdWords campaign. So work keywords in organically so they look good to human readers—ideally where you want your resume to end up. On the flip side, if your resume is a video or an infographic, or even a complicated blend of images and text, you’ll flip out the computerized application screener and get a one-way ticket to No-Thank-You Land.
• Rambling. Even creative resumes need to focus on the most relevant information. Recruiters aren’t super interested in your Tuesday night bowling league. They also don’t want to read about every job you’re ever held since Reagan was in office. And your Glamour Shot? Not so much. Your resume should show that you’re the best candidate for the job, not the one with the most beautiful hair.

Creative resumes sound good in theory, but in reality, they can distract from the information that’s really important to recruiters. So don’t be different for difference’s sake; if you do something original with your resume, it should be for a reason that supports your job search. And if you decide a creative resume feels right to you, also submit a standard resume just in case, especially for online applications!