resume – Page 5 – Steven Savage

50 Shades Of Resume #43: Infographic Mania

May 19, 2014 by Steven Savage

Michelle Magoffin did an infographic resume. Only where we’ve seen some smaller infographic resumes (or ones that were resumes redone as infographic) she went all out. This is a complex infographic with a huge amount of detail – it’s the kind of thing you’d probably print out on Tabloid paper.

The more you drill down, the more you see. There’s a kind of thought flow to go through the reader’s thought processes. There’s quotes. There’s history. There’s a lot.

So what can we learn from this?

She decided to go the complex route on this – then made it easier. She’s got a scannable link to her regular resume and she broke the resume into four basic workflows depending on interest – experience, leadership, results, and creativity. It’s a good example of complexity and simplicity.
It shows a definite sense of humor – even though it’s actually a serious resume. The quotes, the workflow, the design in general has a sense of wimpy.
It shows she knows her potential audiences as she gave a sort of thought roadmap depending on what people are interested in.
She put in hard numbers on her performance. That’s always welcome – and a bit too rare.
Doing this shows a lot of talent and time. This is not something you whip up quickly. For that matter, it shows patience – not something resumes easily display.

Any criticisms? I have a few, though it’s a difficult one to critique:

It’s definitely overbusy. That’s a choice she clearly decided to make, but I don’t think everyone will go for it.
I think the flow of questions could probably be made more orderly.
The use of the four initial colors for each category could be replicated in the resume to show how elements relate.

This is one of those “it’s it’s own thing” resumes. It merely is. And it is pretty neat.

Steve’s Summary: I’d be impressed in seeing this – but I like good infographics. I’d definitely want to talk to her, but would get her regular resume for people not into the idea. It’d also be an interesting conversation starter.

[“50 Shades of Resume” is an analysis of various interesting resumes to celebrate the launch of the second edition of my book “Fan To Pro” and to give our readers inspiration for their own unique creations.]

– Steven Savage

50 Shades Of Resume #42: The Mini Resume

May 18, 2014 by Steven Savage

Alexander Rea gives us something different – which is an odd statement considering what we’ve seen so far. In his case though, way back in 2009, he decided to think small.

Literally. He created a foldable card as a resume. It’s basically twice the size of a business card, folded in half, with a scannable code to boot. It’s a resume you can put in your pocket. Poke through his flickr account to see what he’s done.

I love a good variant resume – and a good variant business card – so it’s double treats from me. But let’s take a look at his idea resume-wise and see what we can learn:

First, this is a crazy idea done subtly. He keeps it smart and professional and doesn’t overdo it – there’s only so many wild ideas you can put in one idea.
It does function as a business card, of course, which is obviously a good idea. Also makes me realize how the opening parts of a resume are basically . . . a business card.
Showing the icons of who he’s done work for is a great idea and gives instant recognition in a small space.
Having the scannable code inside is a good idea so someone can see more – and has no excuse not to look.
It’s thoughtful. A one-stop card that leads to more if one is interesting. Alexander has thought about people.

Any criticisms? Just one:

I’d like to have seem a bit more on his skills in the center part of the resume card.

That’s about this. It’s a good idea, looks good, well done, professional, smart. I of course am biased as I use a trading card type business card that’s a sort of business resume myself. But fortunately I don’t care, this is cool.

Steve’s Summary: I get this card and of course I’m going to scan it and find out more. It’s a thoughtful, interesting, clever idea. Then I’ll probably want my own . . .

– Steven Savage

50 Shades Of Resume #40: The Notebook

May 16, 2014 by Steven Savage

Brian Moose sent this resume to Pixar some years ago. Well, it’s a notebook that is a resume – you get the idea.

We’ve seen a book-as-resume idea here before, but Brian’s approach is to not make what looks to be a professionally published book, but instead a notebook. Yes, a hand-crafted notebook. He also sent it in a film case with a cover letter.

I think we just found our first artisanal resume. Brian isn’t someone who does things small or half-baked.

Now if you scan his Flickr site, whats telling is that despite this unusual and creative “handcrafted” approach, the book also contains appropriate information along with quotes, doodles, and so forth. Unusual take, unusual packaging, unusual delivery – with personally delivered vital information.

Let’s see what we can learn:

First off, this is a pretty gutsy resume period. It obviously took time and was lovingly made. That tells you a lot right there.
Oddly, I think its informal look is important. It could have been done very artsy and with perfect alignment and so forth – but that may have seemed pretentious. The unusualness of the resume is softened by the personal touch.
Despite the unusual idea, he really presented all the vital info – he just did it in a way that was more personal.
Throughout the resume-book there are little quotes pasted or taped in to show his thought processes. That’s a touch that shows who he is – but also keeps it from being too me-me-me. The latter is a threat when you do something this outrageous.
He goes on to include things about himself and his philosophy so you get an overall picture of him.

Critiques? Well, I don’t have many . . .

This is a real gamble resume, and it takes time to do. So if you try something like this, measure time and effect.
This is also a resume that will only work with people who’d appreciate it. Pixar, of course, is a good choice.

This is one of those truly unique resumes that is just what it is.

Steve’s Summary: I wish I’d see resumes like this, but I don’t work with artists as much. But if I did get it, I’d appreciate the effort and the personal touches – and the fact he packaged it so cleverly. It’s an attention getter, but isn’t in-your face. It’s more funny.

– Steven Savage