The use of the infographic resume is growing outside the tech and design fields; witness the proliferation of visual portfolios, sites that auto-generate visual resumes and resume builders, Pinterest boards, customized visual libraries, forums and detailed guides. If it fits your skillset, design your own infographic resume to instantly get yourself noticed by hiring managers and use visual language to creatively illustrate your skills, strengths, and experience. Keep in mind the traditional text resume is still required and that the infographic resume is a supplement not a replacement.
What better way to illustrate the power of the infographic resume, than one created for Sherlock Holmes–the world’s most famous, eccentric, and exceptional private detective.
“Address: 221B Baker Street, London. Ability to adopt to almost any disguise. Expertise: British Law. Interests: Necro-analysis. References: John Watson.”
In today’s competitive hiring climate, Sherlock Holmes would use an infographic resume to quickly differentiate him from other consulting private detectives. Clients in need of a skilled investigator would note his use of eye-catching design elements to illustrate his singular background and unusual but effective skillsets. This infographic resume would also allow Mr. Holmes to be considered over his colleague and fellow detective, Dr. Watson; to perhaps inflame the sibling rivalry and jealousy between himself and his smarmy older brother, the government official, Mycroft. Holmes’ infographic resume might possibly even rouse the murderous envy of his arch rival, Professor James Moriarty.
For Mr. Holmes, creating an infographic resume is nothing short of “Elementary.” Remember to use visuals to tell your story–a pie, bar or line graph, and key stats ground your message. Remember to carefully choose color scheme, font and visual elements for maximum effect.
Not everyone will need to use an infographic resume to get a job, but it can be a useful tool for your job search. You will need a text resume as many online application systems cannot process infographics or visuals.
Hannah Morgan is a career and social media strategist and owner of Career Sherpa.net. A nationally recognized speaker and author on proactive job search techniques, she and her work have been featured in the Huffington Post, Lifehacker, BlogHer, and Business Insider. To learn more read her new book, The Infographic Resume. Hannah went to Ohio Wesleyan University and majored in Humanities.
