A recent LinkedIn group discussion provided several interesting comments from resume writers, HR professionals, and other business people on the use of colour on resumes. The opinions of conservatives (NO! Keep it black & white! A resume should follow traditional guidelines!) were fairly balanced with the thoughts of progressives (YES! Use lots of colour! It shows your personality!).
It would be safe for you to assume that I, as the author of Alternative Resumes: Definitely NOT Your Parents' Resume Book, believe in the benefits of colour and other "alternative" tools to spruce up a resume. And you would be right - I do. Although none of the resumes in that book use colour due to publisher restrictions, I do show how graphics can be used effectively on a resume. However, I am also quick to point out that you need to know your audience because they are not suitable in all situations.
Colour is the same. I review hundreds (thousands?) of resumes a year and I can say that colour is being used more and more often. Since resumes are viewed more often on screen now than on paper, job-seekers feel that gives them more options with resume design. That is true, and it does, but keep in mind that many employers still print resumes for interview purposes. Therefore, make sure the colour on your resume prints well (even in black & white) before submitting it.
Another important consideration, of course, is how you actually use colour on your resume. I recommend using it as a text enhancement, the same way you would with bold or italics, or for lines separating sections. It can be effective for drawing the reader's eye or highlighting important words or phrases. Make sure not to overuse it however, or nothing will stand out.
Colour, as with other non-conventional tools, can enhance a resume if used appropriately. However, it's important to know your job target and make sure the overall message of your resume doesn't get lost.
