Visual CVs are becoming increasingly commonplace. And it’s hardly surprising; they’re a good gimmick that are sure to make your CV stand out, but are they always appropriate?

Of course, a creative design will inevitably result in the loss of content. Is that a compromise you’re prepared to make?  And in some industries a visual CV might look unprofessional.  For instance, if you’re applying for a corporate role, where there are lots of formalities, a traditional CV is best.

That’s not to say visual ones don’t have their place. If you’re working in the creative industry, a visual CV is a good way of showcasing your work. In fact, you can embed all sorts of interesting files into them. As they say, don’t tell me; show me.

That said, it’s well known that employers like to quickly scan CVs. Do they have the time it’ll take to watch videos or look at your graphs? Even if they do have the time, some may struggle to interpret what can be complex visual information.

However, a resounding benefit of the visual CV is that you don’t have to print them off or download them as email attachments.  You can simply give people the URL to your visual CV. This will make your life, and your would-be-employer’s job, a lot easier.

A visual CV is definitely a risk and won’t always work. If you do use one, make sure you have a standard CV, too.

By Tirebuck Recruitment, one of the Solihull Job Agencies.