What would you do if you had 8.8 seconds to impress someone?
According to research from the National Citizen Service, 8.8 seconds is the average time recruiters spend looking at a CV. So how can you make sure your CV ends up in the interview pile and not in the shredder?
With a bit of creative thinking, your CV or portfolio can be a clever way to show off your skills in an imaginative, engaging way. So say goodbye to long lists of generic adjectives and hello to thinking outside the A4 rectangle.
Here are 10 of the most inspiringly creative CVs and portfolios – and 10 reasons to up your game…
Name: Chase Zreet
Role: Creative copywriter
The video that inspired this article. Zreet is a professional copywriter from Texas who wanted to prove to soft drinks manufacturer Sprite he had what he takes to provide creative copy. The 3-minute hip hop track landed him a dream role…not at Sprite, at global creative agency W+K. You can’t win ‘em all.
Name: Livia Natalie
Role: Visual communication designer
People like videos. Research shows that we retain 95% of information received via video compared to just 10% from reading text, so presenting your CV in video format is an effective way to sell yourself. Livia Natalie’s animated video works because the information is clear, concise and, most importantly: it shows off her skills. If you’re working in visual communication, what better way to sell yourself than communicating visually?
Name: Monica Gomes
Role: Illustrator and video editor
Monica’s CV is the perfect example of standing out from the crowd for all the right reasons. The eye-catching typography is broken up with the artist’s illustrations; creating a kind of CV-portfolio hybrid that shows off her talent. It’s warm, personal and instantly engaging.
Name: Robby Leonardi
Role: Multidisciplinary designer
Competition is fierce in all areas of design so showing off what you can do is vital – and so is creating a lasting impression. Robby Leonardi’s interactive game CV features himself as the superhero protagonist, swimming, leaping and fighting through his portfolio of work. Not only does it showcase his skills and give a flavour of his personality but it’s exactly the kind of creative thinking that’s sure to put a smile on an employer’s face.
Name: Andy Morris
Role: Art director
https://www.creativebloq.com/career/creative-resumes-11121419
Proving that the best things come in small packages, Andy Morris’s 3D lego CV is as unique as it is effective. All his skills and contact details are featured on the packaging and best of all it demonstrates his ability to break convention and think outside the paper. If this is what he can do with a CV, what could he do for your business?
Name: Nicholas Begley
Role: Marketing Manager
Everyone loves chocolate, which is why Nicholas Begley’s CV is so inspired: it doesn’t just break the mould, it actually gives prospective employers something they can use – or rather eat. Creative and fun, this CV not only proves Nicholas’ ability to think tactically, it also ensures that he stands out from the competition.
Name: Tatiana Del Valle Gorodenskaia
Role: Designer
https://www.creativebloq.com/career/creative-resumes-11121419
These days employers don’t just want to know what you can do, they also want to know who you are. Tatiana’s CV is divided between her heart and head to give a balanced view of her skills and personality. Biro sketches and graphic details showcase her style and the minimal text makes it easy to digest.
Name: Leslie David
Role: Designer, illustrator, art director
https://www.creativebloq.com/portfolios/examples-712368
Beautiful and impactful, Leslie David’s portfolio gives the distinct impression that she knows a thing or two about visual design. With the typography neatly housed on the left of the screen and a combination of static and animated images, her body of work is showcased in a clear yet creative style.
Name: Elvian Chaelfin
Role: Digital media designer
It’s unlikely anyone would spend over three minutes looking at a traditional CV but three minutes of engaging video is a different matter. Elvian’s portfolio video takes you through her extensive body of work without any of the boring bits. Colourful, engaging and light on text, this video reel proves the power of going paperless.
Name: Omondi Abudho
Role: Art director and photographer
Inspired by a packet of coffee, Omondi’s CV is designed to be cut out and folded into a box. Featuring a photograph of himself and his skills under ‘nutritional information’, the innovative design highlights Omondi’s artistic flair and immediately differentiates him in a highly competitive industry. Unsurprisingly, Abudho was spoilt for choice when it came to job offers.
Name: Eric Ghandi
Role: Designer
How do you get an interview at Google? By designing your CV to look like a search engine page of course. Quirky, fun and imaginative, Eric Ghandi’s Google-themed CV was distinctive enough to get him an interview with the notoriously hard-to-impress company.
Result:
Of course, in the world of cybersecurity and IT, things are a little less…flamboyant. That doesn’t make your CV any less important, though. Showcasing your ability, experience and skills is a fine art, and even if you don’t have an interactive website or rap tune, you still need to be creative with layout, language and length.
We can help. If you’re interested in exploring a new role in digital IT or cybersecurity and you need solid CV advice, drop us a line. Our consultants are candidate driven, meaning we support you every step of the way from CV to interview to new career.
