Robert Blankenship’s resume is a colorful affair, yet is also a standard resume. In fact, the more you examine it you realize that he’s actually got a literally iconic resume – it makes strong uses of icons, from the software he knows to even “iconifying” a logo for himself. He’s using them stylistically and as a kind of shorthand – and going with a kind of series of circular designs. That makes it stand out and I was glad to analyze it.
What are the advantages of this style – and the other design elements?
- The icons are an interesting kind of shorthand. Between what they say, the unified style, and the fact it’s clever it quickly stands out.
- The use of multiple colors is very appealing. This is a resume where the color doesn’t detract from the content.
- It’s obviously scannable – and again is one of those one-page resumes I rarely see (oddly it seems artists are good at doing them).
- This is a colorful resume that is also a good, solid, resume. It does the job.
- Aside from the icons the columnar divisions for his experience are interesting ways to show a lot of information in a small space.
- Getting this resume to work, from selecting icons to doing layout, shows real attention to detail.
A few things that may be problematic:
- As I always say, I’d put skills at the top. This would work really well with this approach. It also would establish his “style” early.
- The use of the icons is fast, but it may say a bit too little about his skills. he clearly has more skills, and this may undersell him.
- There’s a bit too much white space on the left column.
- The “Find me column” doesn’t actually provide all the contact information. It’d be best with links.
- The use of rectangular icons seems a bit disruptive to the rounded theme. Not sure that’s an issue as it goes with the rectacnular dividers.
I like the idea of using icons and logos on resumes, and Robert takes that pretty far. This is something to explore in designing interesting resumes.
Steve’s Summary: If I got this resume, I’d appreciate the clear design and effective communication – and the attention to detail. I’d want to know more about his skills.
[“50 Shades of Resume” is an analysis of various interesting resumes to celebrate the launch of the second edition of my book “Fan To Pro” and to give our readers inspiration for their own unique creations.]
– Steven Savage