Is It Okay to Use Emoticons in Resumes?

Currently, using emoticons in resumes is not recommended unless you are younger than 16. In the far future, when society has largely transitioned to a technology-driven lifestyle, there might be room for such elements, but for now, they are generally not appropriate.

General Guidelines for Resume Writing

There are no strict rules when it comes to writing resumes. The key is to ensure that it reflects your unique personality and how you want to be perceived by potential employers. However, it's important to adhere to the basic principles of business writing, which excludes the use of emoticons.

The Role of Emoticons in Resumes

It's essential to consider the context and the industry when deciding whether to include emoticons in your resume. Big banks and traditional firms generally do not appreciate such elements, while more modern, creative companies like challenger banks might welcome them as a sign of youthful energy and creativity. Emoticons can also be used as a screening tool to identify companies that value such traits, but it is not advisable to rely heavily on them.

While the use of emoticons might seem harmless, there are valid reasons for avoiding them:

Emoticons may not display correctly on all printers, resulting in blank squares, which can be perceived as unprofessional. Emoticons can be difficult to interpret, leading to unnecessary ambiguity in your resume. Resume scanning bots do not understand emoticons, and many systems, particularly in the United States, may not be equipped to process Unicode characters.

However, if you are comfortable with these potential issues and want to include emoticons for personal expression, go ahead. The key is to ensure that they add genuine value to your resume.

Professional Considerations

As a professional resume writer, I generally advise against the use of icons, unless you are in a career that specifically requires them, such as interior design, graphic design, fashion design, UX development, or roles in creative industries. In these cases, the use of icons can make a resume more visually appealing and stand out. However, the primary focus should always be on the content and the use of appropriate resume templates and fonts.

A well-crafted, content-rich resume focusing on your skills, experience, and achievements is far more effective than trying to make your resume visually flashy with emoticons or other distracting elements.

For those seeking guidance in creating a professional resume, our resume builder can provide tailored advice and suggestions to help you land your dream job.