Having an error-free, easy-to-read résumé is a must, but what’s a job seeker to do when competing with a bevy of other talented applicants, especially in the tech space? Skills like HTML, programming, and social media are increasingly important in this economy, but instead of telling your next employer what you’re capable of, why not show them?
Here are five ways to get creative and make your CV stand out from the rest:
1. Make your résumé interactive
Designer Robby Leonardi made waves in 2013 when he turned his résumé into a video game. Thanks to a design that looks like a Super Mario Bros. game (complete with levels), prospective employers can scroll through Leonardi’s skills—bucketed out into graphic and web software, scripting and programming language, and 3D and video software—to learn more about his personal and professional interests. More than that, though, they’re getting a firsthand look at Leonardi’s imagination, talent, and sense of humor.
2. Create a “living résumé”
Not a web designer or programmer? Don’t worry. If social media is your forte, you can use those tools and platforms to show off your professional experience. A great example: Rachael King brought her experience to life with Pinterest. She’s pinned examples of her work, press highlights, YouTube videos, and more. If you’re socially savvy, using those platforms to your advantage can demonstrate your creativity to future employers. (Plus, a living résumé is dynamic, constantly evolving to highlight your most recent accomplishments.)
3. Use your favorite sites as inspiration
If there’s a particular website or social media platform that you’re passionate about, why not use it to create your next CV? Web product manager Philippe Dubost did just that when he created a résumé that looked exactly like an Amazon product page—we’re talking everything down to the littlest detail: reviews, shipping information, and even a “frequently bought together” section. Other clever examples: turning your résumé into a Facebook album or Facebook page, mirroring the look of Google or Google Maps, or taking a cue from Kickstarter.
4. Turn your experience into an infographic
In certain industries—tech or design, for example—breaking down your résumé visually can help showcase your accomplishments. Just be sure to keep your infographic simple and concise. Too many data points, colors, or fancy fonts can take away from the most important part: the content. Need some inspiration? Check out this Pinterest board, brimming with beautiful examples.
5. Build a personal website
It doesn’t have to be coded from scratch, but if designed tastefully, it can be an asset to have a professional-looking landing page that pulls together your achievements, emphasizes your strengths, and links to examples of your work or your social media profiles. Some fantastic sites to use for inspiration: Andrew McCarthy’s (scroll down quickly!), Anthony Wiktor’s, and Albino Tonnina’s. (The Muse even has a list of their 35 favorites here.)