Visual Design
Restrained color and typography: readability wins over decoration every time.
A resume's job is to be read, not admired. Visual choices should make the content easier to absorb, never harder.
One accent color, used sparingly
A single accent, for a name, section rules, or headings, adds personality without competing with the text. Save it for structure, not for filling backgrounds or highlighting random words.
Two fonts, maximum
One for headings, one for body text; both easy to read at small sizes and in a printed PDF, not just on a bright screen. Skip script fonts, condensed fonts, and anything an older ATS parser might not render correctly.
A single navy accent on section rules; one serif for headings, one sans-serif for body text.
A different color per section, a script font for the name, and a background watermark.
Put it into practice
Build your resume in Fit The Role and these principles are already built into the editor and templates.