Visual Resumes

Synopsis

Using Microsoft Word to edit your resume is incredibly tedious. That is why we created a number of Visual Resumes in Microsoft Powerpoint, Apple Keynote, and Google Slides. Now you can edit your resume with pixel-perfect precision. Even if you're not changing jobs, it is always good to have an updated resume to share within and outside your organization. Easily add animations and change the color to fit your organization.

Questions and answers

Why is editing a resume in Microsoft Word considered tedious?

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Editing a resume in Microsoft Word is considered tedious because it lacks the flexibility and design capabilities that other software like Microsoft Powerpoint, Apple Keynote, and Google Slides offer. These platforms allow for pixel-perfect precision and the ability to easily add animations and change colors to fit your organization. This level of customization is not as easily achieved in Word, making the process more time-consuming and less efficient.

How can you customize the color of your resume to fit your organization?

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You can customize the color of your resume to fit your organization by using the color editing tools available in Microsoft Powerpoint, Apple Keynote, and Google Slides. These tools allow you to change the color of text, backgrounds, and other elements on your resume. You can choose colors that match your organization's branding or color scheme. Remember to keep your resume professional and readable, even when using colors.

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Slide highlights

Overview

A visual resume is a powerful tool in your applicant toolbox and a great alternative way to showcase your work experiences, as well as professional and interpersonal skills with more zing and aesthetic stimulants. This doesn't mean, however, that visual resumes are limited to the artistic professionals' world. Anyone can highlight their job history with colors and graphics and stand out to recruiters.

Questions and answers

What are some tips for creating an effective visual resume?

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1. Use a professional layout: Keep it clean and easy to read. Use a balance of text and visuals.

2. Use relevant visuals: Use graphics, charts, and infographics to highlight your skills and experiences.

3. Keep it concise: A visual resume should be a snapshot of your career, not a detailed history.

4. Use color wisely: Stick to a professional color scheme and avoid overly bright or neon colors.

5. Tailor it to the job: Customize your visual resume for each job application, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences.

How can a visual resume help an applicant stand out to recruiters?

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A visual resume can help an applicant stand out to recruiters by providing a unique and engaging way to showcase their work experiences, professional skills, and interpersonal skills. It uses colors and graphics to highlight job history, making it more appealing and memorable than a traditional text-based resume. This can capture the recruiter's attention and make the applicant more memorable, increasing their chances of being selected for an interview.

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Application

The process of building your visual resume provides many opportunities to be original and creative. In preparation for developing your new master document with slides and to stay "on your brand," you can, first, make inspiration boards and explore color palettes, using tools, such as Adobe Color Wheel.

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Also, keep the following guidelines in mind when working on your visual resume slides:

Content is king

The aesthetic component of your resume should in no way overshine the content. Your resume details must always include the core information: your name and professional title, skills and previous experiences, as well as education. You can also choose to add other content, such as brief quotes from your previous employers' recommendations, your volunteer work history or hobbies. But most importantly, use tons of figures and numbers in your bullet points.

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Here is a piece of advice from the author of "Show Your Work," Austin Kleon: "Strike all the adjectives from your bio. If you take photos, you're not an 'aspiring' photographer, you're not an 'amazing' photographer either. You're a photographer. Don't get cute. Don't brag. Just state the facts."

Structure matters

Your visual resume should be easy to navigate and read, but you can also be strategic with the layout of your information, like placing your most valuable or rare skills at the top of the document, for instance. In fact, a visual resume allows more room for previous experiences, compared to a traditional text resume, in case you have extensive work history.

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Mention your portfolio (if applicable)

If you have a portfolio, make sure to include a link to it and some examples of your work in your visual resume. Visual resumes are perfect for showcasing your creative projects and you can do so in the header, on the margins or at the bottom of your document.

Case study

Marissa Mayer, former CEO, Yahoo

Mayer clearly has an impressive background as former Vice President of Location and Local Services and VP of Search Products and UX, and President and CEO of Yahoo. Notice that her resume perfectly reflects her personal brand of a "businesswoman and a proud geek." It also has a lot of white space and includes some intriguing, yet relative to her professional experience sections, such as "Most Proud Of" and "My Time," which allowed Mayer to elevate the level of her professionalism even more.

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