CVs with a difference

There’s more than one way to make a CV. We take a look at video, infographic and online CVs.

About 4 minutes

Your CV is the story of you and why you should be hired. You do not need to be restricted to a typical word document anymore to create your CV. We’ll look at alternative CVs and some tools which could help you create one: 

  • infographic CVs 
  • online CVs 
  • video CVs 

When to use a creative CV 

Any CV should be tailored to the job or the type of job you’re going for. A creative or alternative CV should only be used if it fits the company you’re applying to.  

For example, your infographic CV might go down well with a graphic design or advertising agency. This would not be acceptable if you were applying for the police.  

In any case, it’s probably a good idea to supply your plain written CV along with any alternative just in case. The person looking at it may prefer that option or may not be able to access your creative version.  

Infographic CVs

An infographic CV means displaying your experience visually. Instead of listing your skills you could create a graph to show your development in each of them or what you use day to day in work.  

If you’re a designer or a dab hand with Illustrator, you’ll find this much easier. Let your creativity shine through, but think about logical ways of displaying the information. Make it as clear as possible for an employer to see what you have to offer. 

If you do not have the technical skills, there are a range of services online to help. You can use the basic versions for free, but be careful about any add-on charges. Visit:  

Online CVs

You already know about using LinkedIn for your job search - and that's the obvious place to start. There are also other sites which let you create what's sometimes called a professional landing page.

About.me lets you introduce yourself and detail some of the highlights from your CV. You can link to social media, websites and blogs and examples of your work

Using these kinds of sites also helps because it means when an employer Googles you (and they will) they get positive results.

Video CVs

You no longer need a fancy camera and edit suite. Pick up your smartphone and there are apps which let you film, edit, upload and share videos with ease.  

You do not need to replace your normal CV, instead the video CV would be an addition to your written CV. This will help show your enthusiasm and help get your personality across. 

If you do decide to create one, make sure you: 

  • stay professional, from your outfit and location, to the language you use and the details you reveal 
  • record and re-record the video as many times as you need to 
  • keep it short, around a minute to 90 seconds – keep it relevant and avoid rambling 
  • be creative and think how can you show off your skills
  • ask someone you trust (family, friends, a careers adviser) for feedback before you post it