Does an Infographic Resume Work for You?

Infographic Resume Templates

An infographic resume, sometimes referred to as a visual resume, is a visual representation of your employment history and professional skills. Rather than relying on bullet points and bodies of text to convey this information, infographic resume templates use elements like graphs and bar charts to display your accomplishments and catch the eye of potential employers. This modern resume design feature is suited to a very specific niche of the job market. While an infographic resume may not be suited to traditional fields of employment, this template could be the best resume layout choice for those seeking employment in creative fields and positions.

The Benefits of an Infographic Resume

Anyone can choose an infographic resume template, but not everyone should. Infographic resume and cover letter formats are most beneficial for those who work in creative industries because they allow the resume design to become a showcase of the job seeker’s skills. This can impress hiring managers and recruiters, leading to more job interviews. Here are the people most likely to benefit from an infographic resume template:

1. Job seekers with a graphic design background

If you have a background in graphic design or your job involves some kind of design, a creative resume template that utilizes infographics could be beneficial. For example, if you are a digital marketer or social media manager, a resume that displays infographics can work for you.

2. Those going into a highly creative field

If you work in a highly creative field, an infographic resume or CV template can be very useful, even if your particular line of work is not connected to graphic design. Illustrators, for example, could make good use of a free infographic resume template.

3. Those who won’t have ATS scan their resume

If you don’t need to send your resume through an applicant tracking system (ATS) that scans resumes for employers, you’ll find an infographic resume format more beneficial. While professional infographic resumes are attractive, the bar graphs and unusual graphic elements can make them difficult for ATS to scan.

Generally speaking, infographic resume templates are niche designs that should not be utilized unless they are being used to support a job application to a creative position. However, in some cases, you may be able to submit your infographic resume alongside a traditional resume. If this option is available, it could be worth it to submit both.

How Do I Use Infographic Resume Templates Effectively?

If you have never created an infographic resume before, using customizable, professional resume templates can give you a strong foundation from which to implement your own design elements. If you want to get the best from your infographic resume template, you should keep the basic principles of graphic design in mind. Here are some things you can do to make the most of an infographic template and catch the attention of a potential employer:

Prioritize simplicity

There is a humorous design principle called “KISS” (short for “keep it simple, stupid”). Though intended to make people smile, this is a good principle. Graphic design serves a purpose beyond looking good; if your design elements start to distract from the purpose of your resume, it’s time to simplify your template.

Use targeted graphs and charts

Focus on giving your most relevant skills, certifications and experience priority when creating infographics for your resume. Make sure to target important design elements to highlight the information you want hiring managers to focus on. For example, if you have worked on a number of marketing campaigns where your clients saw large increases in traffic or conversion rates, you could create a simple bar graph to show how many of your projects saw 5%, 10%, or 20% increases, etc. This is a good way to visually represent your skills and make a persuasive case to the hiring manager.

Consider color theory

Color theory is a big part of design. Colors have distinct connotations, and you can use this to your advantage, especially if you’re submitting your resume to someone who knows about color theory. A blue color scheme signifies dependability, according to color theory, while yellow is for happiness. Think about what you want your resume to say about you.

Keep things clear

An infographic resume is a good way to show off your graphic design skills, but we’re still talking about a resume, first and foremost. Recruiters have to be able to scan it for information quickly. Make sure any eye-catching bar charts, headers and design elements don’t make the resume harder to read. Stick to standard professional fonts and don’t obscure text.

These design basics will make creating an infographic resume far easier and ensure your resume is as effective as possible when you submit your job application. If you are in doubt as to whether an infographic resume is best for you, consider the resume examples on ResumeHelp to see if a more traditional resume might suit your career needs better.