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The DIL 5-Tier Resume Design Matrix ™
A proprietary, strategic system for aligning resume
design with industry expectations, ATS and employer
requirements, and long-term career positioning
Tier 2 — Conservative with Warmth
Tier 3 — Modern Professional Standard
Tier 4 — Contemporary with Personality
Tier 5 — Branded & Portfolio-Driven
Why Resume Design Matters
Many resumes fail because design choices don't match industry norms. The DIL Tiered Resume Design Matrix™ eliminates the guesswork by matching visual structure, tone, and layout to hiring expectations.
Tier 1 — Maximum Formality Tone & Design: Classic, serious, and highly traditional. Monochrome or grayscale layouts with tight spacing and no icons or decorative elements. Best For: Law, accounting, banking, federal government, executive administration, and academic CVs. Why Choose Tier 1: Designed to meet strict institutional and compliance expectations. Ideal when credibility, formality, and authority matter more than visual differentiation.
Tier 2 — Conservative with Warmth Tone & Design: Conservative structure with subtle warmth. Dual-tone palettes, clean lines, and balanced margins with understated visual structure. Best For: HR, education administration, nonprofit, policy, compliance-driven roles, and academic-adjacent environments. Why Choose Tier 2: Maintains a conservative foundation while feeling more modern and approachable. A strong choice for leadership and people-facing roles that value clarity and professionalism.
Tier 3 — Modern Professional Standard Tone & Design: Contemporary and polished. Dual-tone modern palettes, thin rules, minimal icons (contact line only), and moderate white space. Best For: Business, technology, healthcare, operations, and mid-level professional roles. Why Choose Tier 3: Balances traditional credibility with modern expectations. Optimized for ATS, recruiters, and digital screening while maintaining a current, professional look.
Tier 4 — Contemporary with Personality Tone & Design: Modern and visually engaging. Accent colors, minimalist icons, thin accent boxes, airy spacing, and geometric balance. Best For: Marketing, education innovation, consulting-adjacent, communications, and modern hybrid roles. Why Choose Tier 4: Adds personality and visual interest while remaining professional. Ideal for professionals who want to stand out without sacrificing credibility. Tier 5 — Branded & Portfolio-Driven
Tier 5 — Branded & Portfolio-Driven Tone & Design: Highly customized and brand-integrated. Accent banners, icons, shaded sections, dynamic layouts, and expressive typography. Best For: Design, UX/UI, media, visual arts, content creation, and branded portfolios. Why Choose Tier 5: Built for personal branding and visual storytelling. Best when creative expression, differentiation, and visual impact are core to the role. Wix Setup Reminder (so it works reliably)