Resume design in 2026 favors clarity over creativity for most industries — with thoughtful accents that help scanning without breaking ATS.
Top design trends
- Minimal single-column layouts with generous white space
- Subtle accent colors — one brand color for headings
- Strong typography hierarchy — clear H1 name, section labels
- Icon-free skills lists — text parses better than icon bars
- LinkedIn and portfolio links in header area
- Metrics bolded sparingly for scan emphasis
Trends to avoid
- Photo headers for US/UK corporate applications
- Infographic skill ratings
- Dark background resumes with light text