Selecting the Best Icons for Resume Enhancement

You have a resume with all the pertinent information to showcase your talent, skills, and experience to land the job. However, when you review it, you wonder if it's too dull in terms of how it looks. Or maybe you’re concerned that certain sections and pertinent information don't stand out the way you think they should.

If these scenarios describe you, you might consider adding some resume icons to give your resume a boost. But what are the best icons for resume enhancement, and how do you add them in a way that will still get you past the applicant tracking system?

Let’s find out!

What are resume icons, and why use them?

Resume icons are small graphical representations you can add to your resume. In many instances, they can make your resume more visually appealing and easily scannable.

When used correctly, resume icons can enhance your resume so it stands out from other job applicants. They also allow hiring managers to scan and identify specific types of information quickly. At the same time, resume icons can reduce your chances of landing an interview when used inappropriately.

For an optimal effect, it's vital to understand the types of icons available, where to use them, and how to apply them. In the remainder of this post, we'll cover:

Different types of resume icons you can choose from
Where to include icons on your resume
Where you can find and download icons online
Tips on how to use resume icons for the best outcome

Where to include icons in your resume

You want to be strategic in terms of where you place resume icons on the page. Here are some options to consider:

Use them in the contact information section of your resume for your phone number, email address, zip code, and LinkedIn URL.
If you include social media profile handles or links on your resume, you can include the appropriate social media icon for each.
The section headings of your resume offer another option when deciding where to include resume icons.

When incorporating icons, they shouldn’t be used to replace the text of any section. Instead, place the icon in front of the written content for emphasis.

Types of resume icons

Now that you know where to include icons on your resume, here are some examples of symbols you might use for specific sections.

Social media icons: The standard social media icons should be used for each social profile you include, like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.
Personal information icons: People typically use the standard phone, email, and address or location icons to emphasize their personal information.
Certifications: A ribbon or certificate icon often indicates a certifications list on a resume.
Skills: Some appropriate icon options to represent a skills list on your resume include a gear, lightbulb, puzzle piece, or tool.
Languages: A simple flag symbol is the standard option to represent languages.
Experience: A gear or briefcase icon often indicates the beginning of the work experience section.
Education: You can use a symbol representing education, like a cap, book, or diploma, for your education section.
Organizations: A star icon is commonly used to represent a list of organizations or associations you’re affiliated with.

Where to locate resume icons online

You might be wondering where you can find resume icons to download for your resume. Fortunately, if you do an online search using the keywords “free resume icons,” several options will come up. To help you out, below are some sites that offer resume icon downloads.

Icons8 offers over a million free icons, and they come in icon packs, making it easy to select icons that are visually consistent for your resume.
FREEPIK has thousands of free resume icons to choose from and download.
Vecteezy has a selection of over 19K vector icons for downloading.
COOL FREE CV provides several free PNG icon downloads in black, gray, dark blue, and green.
FLATICON gives you over 11K icons in various colors to download.
IconScout offers nearly 10K free assets of resume icons to choose from.
Iconfinder boasts nearly a quarter million vector icons you can download as a PNG or SVG file.
Iconmonstr gives you more than 316 collections of black and white icons so that you can select the best ones for your needs.

Tips for using resume icons effectively

Though icons can make your resume look sharper and easier to read in some instances, the opposite can also be true. To ensure you use icons so they work in your favor, consider the following tips.

Consider an ATS

Because an employer’s applicant tracking system, or ATS, typically can’t read and parse information from embedded images and graphics, it might not be able to correctly interpret resume icons. As a result, while it can be beneficial to use resume icons, it’s also essential to use them sparingly, and when you do, be sure they are simple and smaller in size, per the tips outlined below.

Most importantly, always use the written text following an icon to ensure the ATS can read the necessary information, like your contact information and section headings, appropriately. In other words – and this bears repeating – an icon should not replace the text of your resume.

Expert Tip

When you use icons in place of text, you run the risk of missed opportunities due to your resume not passing an ATS scan.

Use icons appropriate for your level and industry

Incorporate resume icons that align with your industry and level. Suppose you're applying for a job in an industry or with a company that tends to be more formal. In that case, you might choose to avoid using icons altogether or only use them in the heading section where your contact information sits. Using them in other areas of your resume might be considered too informal or unprofessional. The same goes for when you're applying for a high-level position within a company.

On the flip side, if you're applying for a job at a company that's more laid back, for a lower-level position, or for a creative role, appropriately placing icons throughout your resume could work well. In creative fields, like graphic design, adding icons can also help showcase your skills. Still, you want to ensure you adhere to the guidelines that follow.

Select recognizable icons

Choose easily recognizable icons. If the recruiter or hiring manager has to think too hard about what you're trying to represent, it could frustrate them. It could also make them wonder about your practical and reasoning skills. With either of these scenarios, your resume will likely land in the "no" pile.

Don’t go too big or too small

Imagine viewing a resume with icons that are so tiny that you have to squint to identify what they are. That's not what you're going for. Conversely, you don't want to use icons that take up more space than necessary or increase your resume file size too much. Icons should align nicely with the text size you're using throughout your resume.

Avoid complex icons

Use simple icons vs. icons that are busy and distracting. Simple black-and-white designs tend to work best. A touch of color for creative fields is an option, though still go for just a hint of color that works well with the overall resume design and theme.

Don’t overdo it

Use resume icons sparingly. In moderation, they can be an excellent addition to your resume. However, if you use too many, they can distract the reader.

Avoid overcrowding your resume with icons - only use them where they add value and make sense. As mentioned above, section headings, your contact information, and social media profiles are good options for icon placement.

Be consistent

All of the resume icons you choose should resemble each other in terms of size and style. You also want them to align with the overall style of your resume template. A rule of thumb is that if you use resume icons that stand out too much or feel off when considering your resume as a whole, you probably need to remove or replace them.

What about using logos on a resume?

Though not readily recommended, in some instances, it's okay to use a logo on your resume. In other cases, it's not.

If you have a personal logo, it's okay to include it in the header section of your resume. However, don't use logos of current or former employers on your resume. It could rub the prospective employer the wrong way. It can also bring up copyright issues if you don't have permission to use the logos.

If you do choose to use a personal logo that includes your name, bear in mind that an ATS likely won't be able to interpret or read it. Therefore, your logo shouldn't take the place of typing out your name.

Select your resume icons wisely

Now you know where to include resume icons and how to use them best to improve your resume when needed. Select suitable icons for the various sections of your resume while applying them correctly and using them sparingly throughout to help your resume stand out!

Wondering if you're using resume icons appropriately in your resume? Why not submit it for a free resume review with our team of ZipJob professional resume writers? They'll help provide peace of mind in knowing your resume covers all the bases to land you interviews and the job!