Use Of Graphics In Resume

I get asked this question several times. Resume styles, resume templates have changed over the years. Now we have much better tools for creating amazing resumes. But there is lot of confusion regarding using graphics in resumes. Some thinks that using graphics in resume can get the attention of hiring manager while others say that using graphics in resume can negatively affect. But the fact is if you use graphics effectively and cleverly it can be very useful. You can use graphics in resume to highlight your key skills, your experiences etc. If you are designing related field such as web designer, graphics designer, cartoonist, animator you can design you resume in various ways to show your creativity, talent, imagination power. In such creative fields your resume is mean of showing your artistic talents. But if you are not in such professions. you should use graphics in resume carefully. Graphics can be overused. An accountant’s resume should look professional and straightforward. Using weird graphics and making funky resume can cost you job interview even if you have all the credentials required for job.
Resume reflects your personality, attitude and creativity. Resume tells the prospective employer about your academic and professional achievements. It tells the employer how you are beneficial to him. If you make a stupid resume, hiring manager is unlikely to consider your application. Your resume should be distinctive. In traditional fields excessive use of graphics in resume doesn’t make positive impression. You can still use graphics in these resume to make an outstanding resume so it can get noticed by hiring manger. But it should be used carefully. For that learn types of graphics and how to use them.
Types of graphics you can use in resume:
Graphics are the designs. These designs are created for attractive visual presentation. You can include several types of graphics in resume depending on type of your profession. You can use drawings, graphs, clip arts, symbols, bullets, pictures, background colors and text colors.
Using graphics in formal resume:
Graphs and Charts: With the help of graphs and charts you can accentuate you achievements. You can show how you increased sales and profit for company in previous employment. An Internet marketing professional can add daily unique visitors graph to show how he increased website traffic and sales.
Background colors: You can highlight heading, section names, important skills with the help of background colors. Usually gray color is preferred in formal resumes. Use single contrast color to highlight headings. You can also use different font colors to match the background color.
Bullets: There are different types and icons are available of bullets. So you can use different types of bullets instead of usual black circles. You can use bullets that are related to your industry. For example: A resume for magazine editor can have pen icons as bullets.
Certification logos: If you are allowed to use your certification logos in resume, you can include them in certifications section to highlight your qualifications.
Using Graphics in Creative Resume:
You can use almost any type of designs, colors, and formatting in creative resumes. Because these resumes are not black and white resumes. But these resumes shows the candidates artistic talents. These types of resumes becoming essential in creative fields such as Fashion designing, Graphic designing, web designing, animation, etc. These types of resumes catch hiring managers attention quickly. Study some sample resume templates to get idea of your artistic resume. There are resume templates available in vast quantity over the web. Check by profession, how and where are graphics has been utilized.