Why Can't I Have Fancy Fonts and Boxes and Clip Art on My Resume?
Because this isn't yesteryear anymore. Back in the day, resumes were constructed just like what is described above. Everything was cute, pretty, artistic.
The landscape has changed, Buttercup. If you construct a resume with fancy fonts, boxes and clip art you've just sabotaged yourself. ATS software cannot read these things. No matter how highly qualified you are, your resume will not make it through the ATS system, and it will disappear into the ether. It will never be flagged as a potential keeper. You'll never get any interviews.
At Maureen McCullough LLC, we follow a core rule when preparing resumes for our clients.
This rule is rooted in our commitment to helping you secure the position you want and advance confidently in your career.
We don’t use visually trendy templates built for appearances. The days of the "pretty" resume are long gone.
What we do provide is a clear, professional, and strategically crafted resume – built in a traditional, reverse-chronological format that puts your experience front and center.
Whether you're job hunting in Hackensack, Teaneck, or elsewhere in Bergen County, NJ, our ATS friendly approach gives you a strong advantage.
What’s Included in Your Resume
Your resume is built using standard, ATS-friendly formatting with clearly labeled sections such as:
- Summary
- Skills
- Accomplishments (if appropriate for your career level)
- Professional Experience
- Certifications and Licenses
- Education
This format is proven to work – not just for ATS compatibility, but for human readers too.
Why We Rebuild from the Ground Up
We don’t just tweak your resume. We rebuild it – because chances are, your old version is either outdated or out of sync with current hiring practices.
Think of it like a home renovation: we knock it down to the studs and rebuild something strong, modern, and fully functional. Your new resume will reflect your real value and position you as a serious contender in your field.
Your Value Proposition: What Do You Bring to the Table?
Hiring teams evaluate your resume to answer one critical question: Are you someone who delivers results and solves problems?
To help them answer with a resounding “yes,” we:
- Bullet point your accomplishments by priority – per job, per role.
- Highlight achievements rather than listing responsibilities.
- Research and integrate relevant keywords for your industry.
- Use leadership-driven action verbs to showcase impact.
The result? A resume that performs well in ATS scans and makes an impression with real hiring teams.
Why “Pretty” Doesn’t Work
Let’s be clear: content is king.
Bright colors, fancy icons, or trendy templates won’t get you hired. In fact, they might keep your resume from ever being seen.
Hiring managers aren’t looking for a pretty face – they’re looking for substance. You either have it… or you don’t. And if you do, your resume should reflect that, without unnecessary distractions.
ATS Compatibility: A Non-Negotiable
Most companies today use ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software to scan and filter resumes before a human ever sees them.
If your resume contains visual elements that ATS software can’t read – tables, graphics, columns, icons, custom fonts – it will likely be rejected outright.
We avoid all of that.
Instead, we use:
- Standard headings
- Simple, legible fonts
- Bullet points (no tables or graphics)
- Consistent formatting throughout
The goal is simple: get your resume past the robots and into the hands of a real person.
Human-Friendly Resumes Matter Too
Congrats – you passed the ATS filters. Now what?
Now your resume lands on a hiring manager’s desk, where it gets about 5 – 10 seconds to make a good first impression.
Most people don’t read line by line – they scan for key elements:
- Job titles
- Dates of employment
- Relevant skills and accomplishments
If that info isn’t easy to find, your resume ends up in the discard pile. It’s that simple.
The Pitfall of “Locked-In” Templates
Pretty templates often look good – but they limit your flexibility.
Because they’re visually locked into a certain layout, they can’t be tailored to highlight your unique value, career goals, or target industry.
That’s why we stay away from them. A professionally built resume should be fully customizable, especially when it comes to:
- Prioritizing skills and accomplishments
- Matching industry standards
- Aligning with specific job descriptions
Our End Goal: Get You Hired
Creative designs may look appealing, but in the hiring world they’re often perceived as distracting and unprofessional – by both ATS systems and human readers.
We use a clean, clear, straightforward format because it works.
It allows your skills, accomplishments, and experience to be in the forefront – and puts the spotlight exactly where it belongs: on you.
If you're job hunting in Ridgewood, Hackensack, or anywhere in Bergen County, your resume needs to work both with technology and with people.
That’s exactly what we deliver.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to look good on paper.
The goal is to land the interview — and get the job.
Resume Services for Every Career Level
Entry-Level Resume Writing →
Clear, concise resumes that help new graduates and early-career job seekers make a strong first impression. Highlighting potential, transferable skills, and readiness to contribute.
Mid-Career Resume Writing →
Refocusing your experience, achievements, and strengths to reflect who you are now — not who you were five or ten years ago. Ideal for candidates leveling up or shifting directions.
Senior-Level Resume Writing →
Showcasing leadership, results, project ownership, and cross-functional impact. A strong resume that reflects maturity, accountability, and depth.
Management Resume Writing →
Positioning you as a capable team leader with proven decision-making, performance improvement, and staff development experience.
Director Resume Writing →
Strategic, influential resumes that demonstrate how you guide teams, shape initiatives, and improve organizational direction.
Executive Resume Writing →
Clarity, authority, and polished messaging for high-level professionals who need a resume that reflects their expertise and broad responsibilities.
C-Suite Resume Writing →
Focused on governance, vision, enterprise-wide impact, and the ability to guide organizations through growth, change, or transformation.
Career Transition Resume Writing →
For professionals shifting industries or returning to the workforce. We realign your experience and accomplishments so hiring managers see relevance immediately.
Career Services and Support
Your career involves more than a resume. We offer additional services that strengthen your professional presence and support your next steps:
- LinkedIn Profile Writing & Optimization →
- Interview Preparation →
- Professional Bio Writer →
- Career Transition Strategy Program →
To learn more, visit our Career Services page.