#re.vu

I have been fooling around with how to create an online resume for some time now.  Initially, I just took my offline resume and coded it in to a webpage, which was functional, but somewhat more homespun than I might like.  

Someone turned me on to re.vu, and its style appeals to me.  Click the link to see my new online resume.  Pretty sweet.

Again, as with any new online tool, I could use a few features that aren't quite there just yet:

I would like to be able to change the titles and axis labels for the different info-graphics on offer.  For instance, it's not "interests over time", it's extra-curricular activities.  

The "Portfolio" and "Work Examples" are great, but a lot of my stuff lives online.  Why no ability to include hyperlinks.  That would be swell.

It would be great to have an ability to rss feed things (like this blog, for instance...or my twitter feed).  

Some other chicklets at the top would be great, too.  Particularly one for my public Prezi page...

So you're looking for a job in a creative industry and you know you have a lot of competition. How about making your resume 'pop' by turning it into a visual infographic?

First thing you need is a Linkedin account from which you can port your information from. Make sure your account is updated.

Now the visual infographic. Two sites that are easy to use are Visualize.Me and re.vu which can automatically convert your data into colourful infographics. And don't worry, your information can still be edited on site. Its pretty easy.

Check them out below.

Remember to keep the visuals colourful but not too wild. You don't want to make the interviewers go blind.

If you need more tips to ace that interview, check out our e-book linked here.

Review: Vizualize.me versus Re.vu

I don't know what rock I've been hiding under. After noticing an increase of infographic résumés and CVs, I just discovered vizualize.me and re.vu. These websites offer the easy means of converting your work experience and accomplishments into neatly user-friendly visual elements. Both sites are similar in practice (you can import your info directly from LinkedIn), but each has its own design, organization, and typefaces. Here's my assessment:

VIZUALIZE.ME (Example: Eugene Woo)

- Six themes - Great selection of fonts and graphics - Options to customize colors - Summary - Work & education - Links - Skills - Interests (6 at most) - Languages - Awards & honors - Stats (up to 4) - LinkedIn recommendations

Cons: No profile pic. No portfolio widget or document sharing, but it's coming soon (ETA unknown). Also, no option to export/save profile as a PDF for printed use though it's a planned feature for the future. Links are displayed at the bottom by icon, which could be better displayed in the profile summary below name and title as full links opposed to logo icons.

RE.VU (Example: Barack Obama or Felicia Day)

- Thirteen themes - Option for a 100 x 100 pixel profile pic - Summary - Work history timeline - Separate education section - Vital stats in numbers (up to 6) - Breakdown of job duties by percentages - Skill evolution graph - Proficiencies in percentages - Quotes (yours or someone else's for inspiration or philosophy) - Percentages (example: thesis completion rate) (up to 6) - Pastimes pie chart - Interests over time - Image portfolio - Work examples (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .ppt, .pptx) - You can also upload a downloadable PDF of your résumé linked to your profile.

Cons: Timeline dates require month, day, and year; day is unnecessary. No customization option for colors or fonts. This greatly limits the visual format because it relies on uploading a background image. No known plans to offer the export/save option. There's also no option to delete your account; you have to contact them directly right now.

VERDICT

The graphic designer in me prefers vizualize.me over re.vu. But while vizualize.me is more visually pleasing and customizable, re.vu offers more. However, quantifying and entering your personal data into re.vu takes more consideration and time. It's not as easy entering into vizualize.me, which is simplified but effective.