What is an infographic resume? | Professions
If you’re looking for a way to stand out from the crowd of job applicants and grab the attention of hiring managers, an infographic resume might be just what you need. Resume infographics are a creative way to provide an easy-to-understand visual representation of your qualifications. However, they may not be suitable for all industries or positions. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of an infographic resume, whether you need one, and how to create one to help you secure your dream job.
What is an infographic resume?
Unlike traditional text-based resumes, infographic resumes rely on visuals. In other words, instead of listing your professional skills and experience from top to bottom in text, infographic resumes incorporate icons, colors, graphs, timelines, bars, and other graphic design elements to present information.
Pros and cons of infographic resumes
Before you take the plunge and create an infographic resume, consider the pros and cons of this resume format.
Supporters
- Attractive attention. Because infographic resumes contain lots of visuals, they’re usually more eye-catching than text-based resumes and can help set you apart from other candidates. Additionally, having an attention-grabbing resume can be especially beneficial when applying for positions with a high volume of applicants.
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Shows skills. Certified Professional Resume Writer Matthew Warzel says, “An infographic resume can demonstrate your creativity and design skills, which can be especially useful in industries that value creativity and innovation, such as marketing or design.”
For example, if you’re a graphic designer or UX designer, she recommends creating an infographic resume to complement your traditional resume and posting it on your LinkedIn profile or emailing it directly to a hiring manager. By doing so, “you’re willing to take risks and try new things, which can be seen as a positive trait in creative industries.” On the other hand, if you’re applying for jobs in traditional fields like law or finance, it may be safer to stick to traditional text-based resumes.
- Easy to read. According to research by 3M, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text. In other words, visuals often tell a more compelling story and are easier to interpret than written words. By using images and data to showcase your professional skills, you can highlight key points in an easy-to-digest way.
Cons
- Not ATS compliant. An applicant tracking system is a software program that simplifies and speeds up the hiring process. according to JobScan research, 99% of Fortune 500 companies filter resumes using applicant tracking systems like Workday. However, since many of these applicant tracking systems cannot read and properly analyze infographic resumes, even if you are highly qualified, your infographic resume may be automatically rejected by the ATS or lost in the system.
- It can be time consuming to create. While an infographic resume can serve as a visually appealing introduction to your career path, you may need to invest some time in designing and perfecting it. And while there are many templates online, finding one that represents you professionally and captures your individuality can take some effort.
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The danger of over-design. Career coach Amy Feind Reeves cautions against overloading resume infographics with complex layouts. He says, “Some of the infographic curriculums I’ve seen have been so full of graphics that they were a chore to interpret.” So while a visually appealing resume can set you apart from the competition, too many visuals can sometimes hinder your chances of impressing potential employers.
He adds, “It’s a lot of effort to read through charts, bar charts, and a list of brightly colored bullet points to get the basic information I need. Like any resume, infographic resumes can fail if they don’t quickly communicate whether or not your career path indicates you’re right for the role.
How to Create One
Creating an infographic resume can take some effort, but it can be a great way to showcase your creativity and gain a competitive edge in the job market. Here’s how to create one, depending on your experience with design and infographics:
- If you are new to graphic design. Creating an infographic resume from scratch when you’ve never used Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator can be overwhelming. If you’re on a time crunch and don’t want to spend hours learning how to create an infographic resume, consider hiring a freelance designer on sites like Upwork or Fiverr to make one for you. However, if you have some free time on your hands, take this one crash course in infographic creation it’s a great place to start.
- If you are familiar or experienced with graphic design. Unless you’re a total graphic design novice, your best bet is to create an infographic resume using a template. For example, Canva and Vism offer dozens of creative resume templates that you can customize to fit your needs.
Examples of resume infographics
Whether you’re familiar with graphic design or not, looking at resume infographic examples can help get your creative juices flowing. Here are some ways to find inspiration for your resume infographics:
Tips for creating an infographic that stands out
Here’s how to create a content-rich, visually appealing resume infographic that showcases your skills and reflects your creativity.
Focus on clarity and readability
Shane Smith, career expert and founder of Interview Boss, says: “Although it can be tempting to use complicated designs, prioritize readability and clear communication above all else. Choose a font and color scheme that’s easy on the eyes, and make sure your text is legible even if it’s smaller.”
Use visual elements to demonstrate important skills
To win over the reader, Smith recommends “emphasizing only your most important skills and accomplishments.” Instead of cramming too much information into your resume, “use visual elements such as charts, tables, and icons to highlight skills and accomplishments that directly match the position you’re applying for.” Remember, don’t overdo it. Less is more.
Adapt the design to fit the Company Culture
To stand out from the competition, tailor your infographic resume design to fit your company culture. If you’re applying for a social media manager position at a marketing agency, start by looking at their website. Pay attention to its design, color schemes and overall atmosphere. Once you understand their sense of style, create a unique infographic resume that matches their company culture. For example, an overly bright and playful infographic resume may not be the best idea if the company has a minimalist aesthetic.
Should you use an infographic resume?
The short answer is: it depends. Using an infographic resume will largely depend on the industry, company and role you are applying for. Typically, infographic resumes are better received in creative industries like graphic design or social media marketing.
Also, remember that an ATS is usually not programmed to read infographic resumes. Unless the hiring manager specifically requests infographic resumes, use them only to supplement your traditional resume. For example, you can upload a resume infographic to your LinkedIn profile so that potential employers can view it alongside your traditional resume and get a broader picture of your professional skills.
