The Innovative One Page Resume & Portfolio
Written by Jacob Cass on Thursday, June 19, 2008 – 10:00 pm
In this guest article Jacob Share* goes through an innovative new way to display your work and CV - all on one page.
Many companies and recruiters prefer the simplicity and speed of one page resumes. As a designer, how can you have maximum impact with only a single sheet of paper? The answer…
The one page printed résumé and portfolio.
The one page resume portfolio is a 6-panel pamphlet that shows your resume when folded and your design portfolio when unfolded. You can click on the image above to view it in full.
How does it work?
The above image is an example of the one page printed resume and portfolio from a French Graphic Designer. It shows 3 different views and below is a description. From left to right;
- Front view of the resume portfolio, slightly open.
You can see the designer’s logo and contact information. Notice the vertical bar on the right side of the inner panel, where the text reads “curriculum vitae” with a right arrow and “portfolio” with a left arrow pointing inside. - Partially-open view of the portfolio.
If you followed the left arrow and continued unfolding, this is what you’d see before you’re done. The panel with the arrow bar folds outwards, meaning that there’s actually more room for portfolio highlights inside. - Resume details.
Following the right arrow will have you flip over the pamphlet, leading to the actual resume content.
Is it right for you?
Cons
- Somewhat complicated design is time-consuming to update or customise
- Uneven folding looks sloppy if done incorrectly and ruins the impact
- Usually requires costly colour laser-printing on thick paper for full effect
Pros
- More space to communicate and brand yourself
- Very memorable, especially when done well
- Design pun: lets you describe your skills while demonstrating them
Best Practices
- Have a history of school, volunteering or work projects before you use this design. Substituting with content that isn’t yours but that you’re “capable of creating” defeats the purpose and looks amateurish.
- The one page resume portfolio works best live when people can hold it and unfold it, like in interviews or at professional gatherings.
- The front panel should contain your logo and contact information at a glance.
- The front panel should be particularly eye-catching to make people want to pick it up and open it.
- An attractive image that continues off one panel will encourage the reader to unfold until they can see the entire image. Above, the French designer used that effect to lure the reader to see both resume-related panels together.
- The 2 configurations that work best are the pictured 4:2 portfolio to resume panel ratio with arrow bar and the 3:3 “resume-outside portfolio-inside” ratio.
- Use the resume portfolio to complement your “full” design portfolio whether physical or digital. For the former, you might consider a sentence about what else not pictured is in your portfolio. For the latter, give all pertinent links.
Want more resume and portfolio tips?
- The Graphic Design Resume Guide
- How and Where To Get Paid Design Work For Students
- The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide - Online
- Resume-Writing Dos and Don’ts
- The 7 Deadly Sins of Resume Design
- Design Resume Style Guide
Conclusion
Great design is the best combination of trade-offs for a certain context. If you use it wisely, the one page resume portfolio could be a valuable tool in your hunt for new design jobs. What are your thoughts?
*Jacob Share created the award-winning JobMob to rally job seekers and jobfinders in getting jobs in Israel and all over the world. The blog is filled with straight-talking real world advice, lots of humour and design inspiration such as 36 Beautiful Resume Ideas That Work. Subscribe for a week via RSS, it’s free.
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By Prescott Perez-Fox (6 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Whoa, I totally disagree with this tactic. I’ve had numerous art directors and hiring managers tell me how much they can’t stand a ‘non-standard’ CV. In fact, some have told me that they will immediately throw out any CVs that try too hard or that they have to think about too much.
Keep it to a letter or A4-sized sheet of paper, and make sure it’s a portrait orientation. This is your first design challenge: make your CV standout within the parameters of a standard sheet of paper.
Don’t out-clever yourself.
By Diogo (1 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
well… i have to agree with Prescott
Diogos last blog post..Markku Lahdesmaki’s great photography! (via Swissmiss)
By Steve O (20 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Whilst I agree that getting your resume on one piece of paper is beneficial, I’m not sure about making a leaflet out of it. This kind of leaflet is popular with take-out restaurants and other small businesses because it is cheap to produce. For me that association immediately cheapens the product i.e. you. One way to immediately upgrade it, but within the same space, would be to make it a four page A5 with the fold on the short side. Of course, that depends on your printer using A3+ to print.
I like the IDEA, I just have reservations about the final product.
By Thomas Wright (8 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
I don’t see any reason why this couldn’t work alongside a normal CV.
It looks superb and is a fantastic demonstration of ones design skills.
But I guess there are people who’ll want a standard sheet of A4, in Times, double spaced with margins so that they can file it in a manilla envelope. And hey, we should cater for them too (because they usually pay better).
By modemlooper (36 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
I think it depends on the job you are trying to get. If the job is folded brochures and the like then why not give them this type of cv as an example.
By Sasa Bogdanovic (1 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Jacob, this is simply great! I am 100% for a resume that will stand out also visually, not only by the content. And this is even more true when it comes to designers. There are some more good ideas for unique resume design.
By Tracey Grady (15 comments) on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
I can envisage this as something you might post or drop off to agencies in order to get their attention, instead of treating it as a full portfolio. The images (reproduced at smaller dimensions than the originals, presumably) are no substitute for actual copies of the original print work that a designer has done.
Full marks, though, for wanting to keep the portfolio concise. I’ve just written a post on my blog about keeping web portfolios concise, and the web is a medium where you do have the scope to be more creative in how your format your portfolio, so it’s great to see the creativity in this piece.
Tracey Gradys last blog post..Reasons to keep your web portfolio short and sweet
By inspirationbit (45 comments) on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
I really like the way this particular cv/portfolio is done. It’s definitely something that you need to drop off in person or mail, you can’t send it by email.
By Sire (2 comments) on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
I reckon it would go a long way if done professionally. That way you do not have to worry about poorly folded lines and the like. It would also show the employer that you are serious about your job application.
Sires last blog post..Solution To Aussie Teen Binge Drinking Problem
By James Kurtz III (7 comments) on Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Great idea if you’re looking to get clients. Bad idea if your looking for traditional employment.
James Kurtz IIIs last blog post..Brands as a Personal Journal
By Reynder (1 comments) on Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
I think via a folder like this you give to much away. You have to make the company curious. By overdesigning your cv there is nothing left to be curious about.
By Keanetix (2 comments) on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
This makes me feel excited! We’ll be making a so called, “creative resume” as a part of our design portfolio.
By DT (6 comments) on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
These days I’m starting to see that ow your information gets to someone matters.
Cold call: Short sharp resume+cv probably matters as you want to get your point across quick.
Job Ad: I would suggest a resume + more CV samples. These guys will be flooded with applicants, and you dont want to get chucked aside if the hiring manager has to email you for more samples of your folio.
Invitation to Apply: Sometimes the lucky ones get asked to apply. This case you would want to send a comprehensive resume and CV to paint the best possible picture of you and your abilities.
By Mike (5 comments) on Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
This is neither beneficial or even interesting and is a surefire way of getting your resume tossed. Seriously, there is nothing interesting about an old tri-fold. It’s merging two things that should really stay separate. Right now it’s:
A very poor, hard to read resume
A cheap, unattractive portfolio
By Jacob Cass (537 comments) on Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
Hi Mike,
Although I did not write this article, I can see some advantages, such as it being unique & easily posted and also disadvantages such as the ones you have suggested.
By John H. (1 comments) on Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
I agree that physical resumes and portfolios are always a good way to get a good impression, I must disagree with the aspect of accessibility.
http://www.indego-designs.ca
I am currently working with an online company called INDEGO DESIGNS. Our job is to take resumes and portfolios to a whole new step. We create innovative graphically designed websites, to promote you as an individual. This will be your page, with all your information, works and means of communication.
We have found that online resumes and portfolios are the new method of really getting to the people you are trying to communicate to. It is now easy to access anyones information with a single touch of a button.
Indego designs is dedicated to providing the tools and services that will enhance your presentation to potential employers and firms.
Our services range from creating professional looking websites and portfolios of your work to writing top-notch cover letters and resumes that will highlight your academic qualifications, diverse experiences, attained skills and well-earned accomplishments.
At Indego Designs, it’s all about your qualifications.
Regards,
John H.
By Emiloly (1 comments) on Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
WOW, what a diverse array of opinions! I like the ‘idea’ of the tri-fold, it has been a great step for myself in thinking outside that old a4 box.
I am in the process of gathering together my portfolio and I am finding it a lot harder than creating design for clients! It’s proving hard to find a good balance between great design and the traditional resume, I really think that it should be a well considered aspect in a case by employer case basis.
*sighs and gets back to work*
You just can’t please everyone all of the time.
By Jacob Cass (537 comments) on Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
Emiloly,
They always say it is hardest to design for yourself but good luck with it. This is just one way to present a portfolio / CV - I am certain there are many many more ways. Get creative
By Ameen (1 comments) on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
i guess the only problem is that it couldn’t be sent by email, and if itwas sent then it won’t be undestood, i mean the comcept, other than that its a very nice way to break the routine of old cvs