Images in your CV? Appropriate or not?
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I think it's a very bad idea. Your CV is going to be shortlisted by someone in the HR or recruitment department, who may not be able to appreciate the technical information these images are going to provide. If you were asked in a technical interview to to explain the architecture of something that you worked on, that would be an ideal place to show these pictures. The person interviewing you may be understand and/or appreciate it, but the ones shortlisting your profile will not! Additionally, the recruiters are going to go through a huge list of profiles for processing, and they won't have the time to wonder what this diagram is all about and may possibly trash the profile. There's a reason why people don't put these things in their CV.
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
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Thanks. Appreciate the direct response. Any reason? Is it that these particular drawings are bad, or is that you don't want to see images at all?
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I think they are unclear and tell me nothing other than you have written C# (for example) in a box or circle. What do you know about C#, how many years' experience, how have you applied it? None of that comes across.
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Don't waste your time or leave yourself open to ridicule. Read this: Contracting for Dummies: The CV/Resume[^].
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
Thanks for the article. Looks like some good tips there.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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Thanks for the article. Looks like some good tips there.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
No problem: hope it helps.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
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Should you get passed the employment agency with that kind of graphic then you need to remember that the HR person looking at that graphic is not gooing to understand what the graphic means and chuck you appliction in the bin.
If only closed minds would come with closed mouths. Ego non sum semper iustus tamen Ego sum nunquam nefas!
Good point.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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I think they are unclear and tell me nothing other than you have written C# (for example) in a box or circle. What do you know about C#, how many years' experience, how have you applied it? None of that comes across.
That is true, they don't actually convey any additional information. Thanks.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Others have already said it but remember most of the times CVs are converted to text format to simplify shortlisting of candidates. So all the beautiful images will get lost.
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I would probably be inclined to hire someone if they included a picture of a bodacious blonde bimbo bearing bodacious breasticles barely bound bouncing beseechingly, and said bodacious blonde bimbo bearing bodacious breasticles barely bound bouncing beseechingly was said to visit said applicant at work on an all-too-regular basis. BTW, dropbox is blocked so I couldn't see the pictures you were considering.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997 -
Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
The general rule is unless an image is specifically asked for e.g. you are applying for an acting role or model then you should have no images or artwork on your CV. Paper should be plain white (non-glossy) standard 80gsm. Font should be standard readable e.g. Arial, and no script, and no comic sans!
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
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I would probably be inclined to hire someone if they included a picture of a bodacious blonde bimbo bearing bodacious breasticles barely bound bouncing beseechingly, and said bodacious blonde bimbo bearing bodacious breasticles barely bound bouncing beseechingly was said to visit said applicant at work on an all-too-regular basis. BTW, dropbox is blocked so I couldn't see the pictures you were considering.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997Let's just say there was nothing even remotely bodacious about them.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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I would probably be inclined to hire someone if they included a picture of a bodacious blonde bimbo bearing bodacious breasticles barely bound bouncing beseechingly, and said bodacious blonde bimbo bearing bodacious breasticles barely bound bouncing beseechingly was said to visit said applicant at work on an all-too-regular basis. BTW, dropbox is blocked so I couldn't see the pictures you were considering.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997I should ding you for repeating 'bodacious', but on this occasion it's acceptable. :thumbsup:
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I agree with most of the people that I would discard the CV if it actually got to me. For me, it shows that you know how to use a drawing app but does not provide any details. Your personal interests are web and mobile but it does not say that you have 5 apps in the Android/WP7/iOS store utilizing a web backend. It almost tries to eliminate the possible talking points in an interview instead of bringing up things for them to ask you about. Some might even find the charts insulting, like how dare you think I am that stupid that I can't read what you have done and need it graphed out for me. Plus if you go thru a recruiter, they reformat your CV and put their contact info on it anyways so that would probably remove this images. It makes the entire CV bigger and takes away from their logos for the recruiting company. Plus the HR process would look at it and not understand like others have mentioned.
Steve Maier
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I quite like the first one, and as a hiring manager it would certainly get my attention. It speaks volumes in a clearly understandable way, but I'm not sure that most managers could be so flexible. They usually are constrained by HR types, whose tiny little compartmentalized brains are incapable of seeing anything different as a good thing. You might try working that into a business card design, though.
Will Rogers never met me.
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I think they are unclear and tell me nothing other than you have written C# (for example) in a box or circle. What do you know about C#, how many years' experience, how have you applied it? None of that comes across.
well said.
Just along for the ride. "the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) -
I quite like the first one, and as a hiring manager it would certainly get my attention. It speaks volumes in a clearly understandable way, but I'm not sure that most managers could be so flexible. They usually are constrained by HR types, whose tiny little compartmentalized brains are incapable of seeing anything different as a good thing. You might try working that into a business card design, though.
Will Rogers never met me.
Thanks, but you're about the only person who likes it Roger. I think you are right about it being too different for people to take value from. I was trying to come up with an idea that stood out in some way, but I don't think this is it. Interesting suggestion with the business cards, but I think it will suffer from the same issue that a CV would which is that most people would dismiss it very quickly as unprofessional. I might leave it on my website in some way though.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
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Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I have multiple resumes, each targeted toward the type of position I'm applying for. I have one that I use for video game companies... I include, I think, 3 or 4 thumbnails of games I've made. They are all on the same line and take up about 10% of the page. All my other resumes are devoid of images. The images you have shown would probably not be well received by a company requiring the skillset you have shown in these images. There may be some exceptions (e.g., if you were applying for a job to work on building Visio software), but I wouldn't add those to a resume that you distribute to companies in a generic fashion. Still, you might add it to the back of your printed resume so people reviewing your resume might see it as they toss it into the trashcan. ;P I think your idea is innovative and useful, but will not be accepted by most companies in the usual manner. You might consider adding your diagrams to an online portfolio website (like mine).
Somebody in an online forum wrote:
INTJs never really joke. They make a point. The joke is just a gift wrapper.
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Never. They're unprofessional and irrelevant except for model/actress/whatever.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
Nagy Vilmos wrote:
Never.
They're unprofessional and irrelevant except for model/actress/whatever.OK, so what you're saying is a few pictures of me with my underwear on the outside would be appropriate for my resume then.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
