Infographic vs Traditional Resume: When to Use Each

A bright, professionally designed infographic resume can make a lot of difference to your chance of getting employment – provided that you use it in the right way. With the growing popularity of visual resumes, more and more job-seekers use them to stand out from the competition. The supporters of resume infographics say that people are visual creatures and perceive information in pictures better. Yet, if you don’t use it right, an infographic resume can make the opposite effect and get you rejected.

Today, our best professional resume service throws light on how to use an infographic resume effectively and when it’s better to opt for a traditional resume. We will also inform you about the benefits of each resume type so you could make an informed choice about which type fits your career needs better. And if you understand the importance of a professional resume for your career, we can create both resume types, highlighting your unique career history.

What is an infographic CV or resume?

The whole concept of an infographic resume is to describe your professional history using visuals rather than words. Infographic resumes employ pictures, charts, timelines, icons, and graphs to display the candidate’s skills and achievements. They use little words – and those words go in stylish fonts. Visual resumes have no lengthy job descriptions or bulleted lists – they are replaced by colorful charts and other elements. Infographic resumes are considered to convey the information about your past achievements faster and more efficiently, let alone the fact that they typically have outstanding designs.

Benefits of using graphic resume templates

🔸 It definitely helps you stand out. Recruiters who are tired of cookie-cutter standard resumes will welcome the refreshing design and a clear structure of a graphic resume. Moreover, you might be the one (or one of the few) applicants who submitted this kind of resume, so you’re going to get noticed at the very least. And the fact that you’ve gone an extra mile to impress them shows your genuine interest in a position.

🔸 It shows your creative spirit. Creativity as a skill is greatly appreciated by modern employers. If your infographic resume is done professionally and has impressive visual appeal, it’s the best way to show your creative approach to handling daily tasks. So, you’re going to be one step ahead of your competitors who submitted an old-school resume.

🔸 It screams accomplishments. Infographic resumes are designed in the way that showcases your skills, achievements and results delivered. Thanks to the graphs and charts, your professional background is accessible at a glance. So, no hard skills or accomplishments of yours will be overlooked by a busy hiring manager.

For the above and many other reasons, an infographic resume can give you a head start during the job search. At Resumeperk.com, we create custom infographic resumes that help you get noticed. An experienced graphic designer works in conjunction with a resume writer to produce a truly eye-grabbing application for you.

Timeline resume: When to use?

Despite its many advantages, an infographic resume isn’t the universal form of application. Here’s when it will maximally work to your advantage:

♦️ To apply for jobs in creative industries. Employers in creative industries welcome the creative approach and are receptive to new ways of presenting the information. Programmers, graphic designers, copywriters and marketers will benefit most from using this kind of resume.

♦️ To post online.  Infographic resumes capture the attention immediately, so they are perfect for posting on your personal website, LinkedIn page or to share in social media. If you look for a job online, they are a great way to communicate your strengths to a large audience.

♦️ To submit along with your standard resume. While using an infographic as the main application document isn’t for everyone, using it as an additional document is an effective tactic. Employers who are against them will simply ignore the file, whereas those who appreciate creativity will give you more consideration. You can attach the infographic resume to your application e-mail or give a link to in in the resume content. Resume creation goes hand in hand with preparing for interviews – check out how to answer the strangest job interview questions.

Traditional resume format: a timeless classic

“Traditional resume” is a common name for all text resumes on the white sheet of paper. Text here is the main element of communication – the use of graphic elements is limited or not acceptable at all. Conventional resumes are used to apply for absolutely all kinds of jobs – they are the ‘safe bets’. They have a standard structure which doesn’t allow much space for creativity: your name, career summary, work history, and education. This resume type has its advantages as well, as some employers are less enthusiastic about the emerging popularity of infographic resumes.

Basic CV examples: the pros of using a classic resume

🔸 It is suited for all kinds of jobs. Infographic resumes can be perceived as less professional by some employers, especially in creative industries. If, for example, you are a senior accountant looking for a role in the financial institution, applying with an infographic might be not your best choice, whereas a traditional paper resume will be welcomed.

🔸 It is necessary to pass the ATS. Most big companies scan the incoming resumes using the ATS. These systems scan text, not pictures, so you will need a text resume to pass the initial screening. Whereas an infographic resume is still an option, a traditional resume is a must – so, check these rules for using punctuation marks in resume.

🔸 It is convenient for most hiring managers. Many recruiters and hiring managers prefer text resumes simply because they are used to them. Traditional resumes have standard format and structure, and the hiring professionals are used to looking through them.

When to use a classic resume instead of the different resume format?

♦️ To apply for corporate jobs. When choosing the appropriate resume type, mind the industry in the first place. Government and corporate jobs require a traditional paper resume – sending an infographic here will only get you rejected. Conservative employers are only receptive to black-and-white text resumes.

♦️ To show your professionalism. Remember that a text resume is not only your chance for employment. It’s also proof of your communication, business correspondence and other important workplace skills. A professionally composed traditional resume communicates a bunch of important personal attributes to your target employers.

♦️ To use a primary job-hunting document. If you intend to use infographic during the job search, still don’t neglect the creation of a text resume and use it as a main job-hunting document. if your infographic captures the recruiter’s attention and they wish to find out more about you, they’ll be discouraged about not getting a traditional resume alongside the infographic. By the way, check out these ways to make a traditional resume more shiny and memorable: https://resumeperk.com/blog/10-things-to-add-to-your-resume-to-make-it-outstanding.

Before you start using an infographic resume, do the research of the industry and the particular company you’ll be applying for. And, if they appreciate modern resume formats, still use a traditional resume alongside the visual one just in case.

How to make an awesome resume or CV?

If you decide to use an infographic resume in your job search, keep in mind that a DIY approach can be costly here. Unprofessional infographics will rather turn off the employer than show your creativity. It’s better to seek help of someone who understands the format and rules of an infographic resume. Our resume company staffs talented designers who can visualize your employment history and highlight your skills in action.

Where to find visual resume samples?

Since we create custom infographic resumes, we do not publish the samples online. Nevertheless, you can contact us and we will provide you a plenty of designs to choose from, and then the designer will customize your chosen design as per your expectations. If you decide to receive professional help with CV, we’ll work on your infographic until you’re satisfied. Interested? Take a look at our list of services and prices  or contact us – we are ready to exceed your expectations!