The Power of the Infographic Resume
February 1, 2017, 8 pm EST
You might be wondering how did we get to a place where rainbow-colored graphics and charts have replaced one-page resumes often displayed by black type on a white background? We're in an age of data visualization and design thinking where the best way to tell a story is through images.
Simultaneously, the career development field has embraced storytelling as a means for self promotion, whether it's the narrative you convey in your elevator pitch, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile. Our career stories not only include qualitative data, but are also effectively conveyed through statistics and quantitative data, which is hard to capture in a 1-2 page resume. According to the Interactive Design Foundation, data visualization is a powerful means to discover and understand stories and present them to others.
A search on infographic resumes will bring up the good, the bad, and the ugly, so it's hard to know if and when to use an infographic and how to choose a design and format. Fast Company's "How To Create An Infographic Resume That Won't Repel Hiring Managers" suggests that an infographic resume isn't for everyone, and in face, even candidates who decide to use one should view it as complement to their conventional resume. Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that scans a resume for keywords; these systems can't effectively scan an infographic.
Creative professionals are often advised to demonstrate skills through an infographic resume; however, if graphic design isn't a strength, it's wise to stick with a visually appealing resume that complements a portfolio of their work. Websites like Behance and Coroflot make it easy to display work alongside other members of your creative community. If you are interested in checking out samples, see the dzrine blog for best practice and take note of candidates' career fields - that's the key to figuring out whether you should be using an infographic resume.
You might be wondering how did we get to a place where rainbow-colored graphics and charts have replaced one-page resumes often displayed by black type on a white background? We're in an age of data visualization and design thinking where the best way to tell a story is through images.
Simultaneously, the career development field has embraced storytelling as a means for self promotion, whether it's the narrative you convey in your elevator pitch, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile. Our career stories not only include qualitative data, but are also effectively conveyed through statistics and quantitative data, which is hard to capture in a 1-2 page resume. According to the Interactive Design Foundation, data visualization is a powerful means to discover and understand stories and present them to others.
A search on infographic resumes will bring up the good, the bad, and the ugly, so it's hard to know if and when to use an infographic and how to choose a design and format. Fast Company's "How To Create An Infographic Resume That Won't Repel Hiring Managers" suggests that an infographic resume isn't for everyone, and in face, even candidates who decide to use one should view it as complement to their conventional resume. Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that scans a resume for keywords; these systems can't effectively scan an infographic.
Creative professionals are often advised to demonstrate skills through an infographic resume; however, if graphic design isn't a strength, it's wise to stick with a visually appealing resume that complements a portfolio of their work. Websites like Behance and Coroflot make it easy to display work alongside other members of your creative community. If you are interested in checking out samples, see the dzrine blog for best practice and take note of candidates' career fields - that's the key to figuring out whether you should be using an infographic resume.
