Those were the words of a Creative Director last year when he interviewed me. It took me aback. I had walked in with a clean, easy to follow, conservative résumé. I was speechless. I did not know what say. I had always thought that résumés should be clean, and one page preferable. (They did give me that job, but the story of that job is for another post :-) ).

I am completing a Web Development Program and for the class I am taking now we were assigned to research Visual Résumés. Those of you who know me, know that I immediately went to semantics… visual? résumé? I mean, when is a résumé not visual? After all, to read something, it has to be in the visual realm. Thus, I was not sure what she meant but I went ahead to google it. The search turned out to be longer and more invasive that I had expected. As it turns out, the terms Visual Résumé are interpreted slightly different depending on who creates it.

I immediately went to semantics… visual? résumé? I mean, when is a résumé not visual? After all, to read something, it has to be in the visual realm.


The concept of a visual résumé is new to me. I admit that in spite of being constantly on the net and considering myself social media savvy, I was taken aback with what I found during a search for visual résumés. As it turns out, there are many models out there being used. Some are created seriously and others seem and feel more like an experiment. During the search I came across a site called VisualCV. The user creates a free account and then creates a visual résumé based on a template. One of the things I liked about the site was that it offers a set of icons to print, pdf, and share. I decided to browse and found one or two examples of visual resumes here in the creative category.

The images below are an example of two of the visual résumés in the creative category. I felt overwhelmed by some résumés. I had no idea where to start, what to look at, and/or what to read. I like the fact that one has the option of uploading a  photo of oneself but at the same time I am weary about such practice due to discrimination concerns. I did not like the fact that for the most part the work experience is buried after summary. There are two things I personally want to see/read quickly: work experience and education. I wanted to get a quick sense of who they were and their experience and that much text turned me off.I am not sure if the problem I have with these résumés is the template itself. Below are two examples of the visual résumés on the site:

Visual Résumé

Visual Résumé

Visual Résumé

Visual Résumé

On the other hand, I think this is a good tool for online job search and otherwise. Almost everybody asks for a link to a portfolio site and having the resume on the site makes it easier for the job/client search.

A visual résumé can show off the designer’s ability of organizing information. Though résumés have traditionally been conservative and very straightforward, a designer’s résumé may take more freedom.


While googling visual résumés I came across a series of interesting info graphic approaches by designers. Look at this one for example:

vr3

His site http://www.stephengates.com/Blog/2007/05/creative-visual-resume.html features a very interesting approach to creating a visual resume. It seems larger than a letter sized paper. However what I liked about this resume is the possibilities it presents to create it for a portfolio site. This résumé arranges information chronologically from most recent to past and every experience is color coded in a big rectangle at the top. The advantage of this is that I can quickly scan his experience reading across and if I want to know more I read under every tab.

This site http://www.haungo.net/xhtml/i-should-make-a-visual-graphic-resume/ showcases a visual resume using an information graphics approach. It even shows a pie chart indicating skill sets and his daily use of those. The design although at first glance may look busy, it allows you to quickly scan it and offers a horizontal timeline divided between education and work experience. This one too, offers many possibilities to think about ways that a resume may be incorporated in a portfolio site.

vr4

After looking at these examples I think that making a visual resume in accordance to the portfolio site’s style will show the designer’s creativity. As long as the visual résumé projects clear visual hierarchy and good use of layout. A visual résumé can show off the designer’s ability of organizing information. Though résumés have traditionally been conservative and very straightforward, a designer’s résumé may take more freedom. It can also have the “site within a site” approach. On the other hand, this can be negative and can turn some employers away due to unnecessary use of visuals. In my case, after seeing the two examples from designers (the last two links), I am encouraged and plan to incorporate color in the resume’s layout since it is part of my marketing materials. And on that note, allow me to share with you my version of a Visual Résumé. My apologies if it is too blurred.. I did it in InDesign, but I am going to re-do it in Illustrator some time soon.

HOFFMAN_VR_COLOR_VERT

So, now share yours! Do you have a Visual Résumé? Share with me your approach! Leave a comment and/or a link under the comments section for us to see!