Infographics and Personal PR

Infographics, or information graphics, are making a comeback across the Web. Have you thought about using an infographic for your resume? Linda explores this option in this article.

The Infographic Resume

No beating around the bush – let's get started with Michael Anderson's resume, the one shown at the top of that article about infographic resumes:

Pretend that you are a client who is viewing Anderson's resume for the first time. Instead of a bland paper resume typed out for scanning, you might sit back in your chair to take in all the pretty primary and secondary colours – much like a kid would do with a coloured picture book. That's the first plus to this resume – all the bold, attention-getting colours.

After the colours make their impact, you might begin to read the information contained in this graphic. I don't know about you, but my eye went to the lower right, where type was concentrated. This is where I learn, with a glance, what this person is capable of doing. But, I take more time than usual with this information, as I want to see how it correlates with the accompanying graphic. The more time I spend with this information, the more that information is ingrained in my brain...meaning that Anderson's skills will stay with me, when compared to other designers.

Finally, I begin to explore other information and accompanying graphics, and find myself laughing out loud at Anderson's "Daily Intake and Output" that includes coffee, humour and productivity. Despite the levity contained in this information, I find myself looking hard at the productivity and communication levels, which seem to be consistently strong (compared to the coffee intake) and improving.

This is exactly what a visual can do for your resume that simple type cannot do – provide comparisons that make your strong points seem stronger. Using simple elements and principles of design, you can make the stronger points seem stronger when you align them with stats that contrast in strength. Note, also, that Anderson uses hot colours (red, orange and yellow) against cool colours (blue and green), a trick that can make that contrast seem even stronger.

I'm not sure how I feel about the graphic at top in Anderson's resume. Instead of looking at the information, I found myself wondering if the hot colours would have looked better at the bottom. Outside of this diversion, I thought the way he separated his academia and his work experience was brilliant. The typeface is easy to read, the use of greys to contrast with the brilliant colours was smart, and the inclusion of his personal information at the top right of the page was smart, too.

Would I hire this guy on the spot? No – I would treat him as I would any other applicant for a job. But, I may call him faster than I would other applicants to set up an interview. And, his information would stay with me for far longer, I think, than information contained in a simple typed resume.