Does an Infographic CV Work for You?

An infographic CV, sometimes referred to as a visual CV, 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 CV templates use elements like graphs and bar charts to display your accomplishments and catch the eye of potential employers. This modern CV design feature is suited to a very specific niche of the job market. While an infographic CV may not be suited to traditional fields of employment, this template could be the best CV layout choice for those seeking employment in creative fields and positions.

Anyone can choose an infographic CV template, but not everyone should. Infographic CV and cover letter formats are most beneficial for those who work in creative industries because they allow the CV 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 CV 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 CV template that utilizes infographics could be beneficial. For example, if you are a digital marketer or social media manager, a CV 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 CV 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 CV template.

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

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

Generally speaking, infographic CV 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 CV alongside a traditional CV. If this option is available, it could be worth it to submit both.

If you have never created an infographic CV before, using customizable, professional CV 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 CV 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:

Prioritise 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 CV, 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 CV. 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 CV 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 CV to say about you.

Keep things clear

An infographic CV is a good way to show off your graphic design skills, but we’re still talking about a CV, 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 CV harder to read. Stick to standard professional fonts and don’t obscure text.

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