Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts: How Overdesign Can Kill Your Resume
Discover why overdesigning your resume can backfire, and how a straightforward, strategic approach can lead to success.
By
Aug 10, 2025
NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — Imagine this: You've spent hours crafting the perfect resume and are confident that this version will land you the job you've been eyeing. Yet, when you submit it, the response is silence. Weeks go by without a call, leaving you to wonder where things went wrong. The issue might be simpler than you think: overdesigning your resume. Excessive formatting and complicated layouts can do more harm than good.
Louis Tullius, CEO of Desert Resumes & Career Services, has witnessed this firsthand. With three decades of experience in recruitment and a deep understanding of what hiring managers seek, Louis helps professionals at all levels—especially in the legal and business sectors—avoid common resume pitfalls.
A Career Built on Understanding What Works
Louis isn’t just another resume consultant. He has spent over 30 years reviewing thousands of resumes, guiding clients from various professional backgrounds, and understanding what makes a resume stand out. His career managing law firms and working in recruitment has given him a rare perspective on how resumes can either propel or hinder a job search.
As a recruiter, Louis realized that many candidates were not presenting their skills effectively. "Too often, resumes didn’t capture the true potential of the professionals behind them," he explains. This realization motivated him to change the way resumes were crafted, leading him to found Desert Resumes & Career Services.
Breaking Through the Noise: The Importance of Precision Over Design
With Desert Resumes, Louis focuses on one mission: helping professionals present themselves through clear, concise, and compelling resumes. "A resume is not about creating something visually stunning; it’s about delivering your core message quickly and effectively," Louis says. His goal is to ensure that clients highlight their strengths in a way that resonates with hiring managers.
When Less Is More: The Dangers of Excessive Formatting
One of the most common mistakes Louis encounters is candidates overdesigning their resumes. It's easy to become carried away with layouts, fonts, and graphics, but these flashy designs often backfire. "The purpose of a resume is to clearly convey your skills and experience, not to create a design masterpiece," Louis advises. Excessive formatting can distract from your core message, making your resume look cluttered and difficult to read.
Hiring managers generally prefer simplicity and ease of reading. An overflowing design or unnecessary embellishments can dissuade hiring managers from spending time reviewing your qualifications. A clean, straightforward approach is always the best choice. Additionally, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which electronically review and evaluate resumes, may reject resumes if they detect formatting that appears overly complex, such as excessive design elements.
Why Tailored Resumes Matter for Lawyers and Business Executives
What sets Desert Resumes apart from other resume services is Louis’ unique expertise in the legal and business sectors. "In fields like law, the resume must highlight not only legal expertise but also key leadership and communication skills," he explains. Lawyers and executives face distinct challenges in their job search, and Louis helps them address these with precision.
Desert Resumes offers personalized, hands-on support. Louis works one-on-one with each client to ensure their resume accurately reflects their skills and accomplishments, offering strategic advice for every part of the job search process—from resumes to LinkedIn profiles to interview preparation.
The Value of Professional Resume Writing
Louis believes that hiring a professional resume writer is an investment that pays off. "A resume writer doesn’t just create a document; they create a strategy to help clients stand out," Louis says. The benefits extend beyond simply having a well-crafted resume; it’s about positioning yourself as the ideal candidate for the job you want.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're facing challenges with your resume or finding that your job search isn't yielding results, it may be time to seek professional assistance. Louis and Desert Resumes & Career Services provide personalized, expert guidance to help you stand out in a competitive job market. Whether you are looking for a new position, advancing your career, or transitioning to a different field, Louis has the expertise to help you create an effective resume. Visit Desert Resumes & Career Services today to focus on your future!
www.desertresumes.com
Tel: 760.459.1838
