The human eye is one of the most important organs of the body. Science has determined that we perceive up to 80 percent of all impressions through our sense of sight. Thus it only makes sense that infographic resumes have become more commonplace over the last several years, especially in creative industries; but knowing when to use one can be a bit tricky at times. Knowing when it is appropriate to utilize your infographic resume during your career search can help you to position yourself for success.

The Appeal of Infographic Resumes
Because human beings are so visual, the eye-catching graphs and charts of infographic resumes are very appealing. They allow us to condense large amounts of data about ourselves and share that information with others quickly and easily.

A Boost for the Traditional Resume
While traditional resumes are still the standard, experts such as Marie Zimenoff, Executive Director of Career Thought Leaders, recommends supplementing it with an infographic resume. As a member of the career industry think tank, she said potential employers should always receive a copy of your traditional resume, but you may also offer your infographic resume as part of a portfolio. This is particularly true if you are interested in a position in a creative market that requires artistry and design.

Author and job search strategist Hannah Morgan said there are three times where you should be using your infographic resume to get the most bang for your buck. This regular contributor to U.S. News and World Report regarding job searches and careers recommends using your infographic resume when networking, reaching out to a company insider for support, and during interviews.

A Quick Introduction
Whether you are networking with someone in person or online, Morgan advises offering your infographic resume as a quick introduction to your background, skills, and, most importantly, the results of your work. She said people often do not want to appear desperate when networking, especially if they are not sure a job is available, so they avoid taking their resume with them. According to Morgan, networking is the perfect time to use your infographic resume shamelessly because you are there to share information.

“The infographic resume makes it easier to have a conversation and allows people to glance at your graphs, charts, and pictures to gather information quickly,” Morgan said. “It also allows you to engage with the people you are networking with. Our brains are also hardwired to remember pictures better than words, so they will remember you better.”

Squeezing Your Foot in the Door
According to Morgan, the best way to get your resume to the top of the stack is with a referral from someone inside the company where you have found an opening. Oftentimes people will try to send you on to someone else when they realize you are applying for a job. The best way to avoid this is to start a conversation by employing your infographic resume, which is the perfect jumping-off point. By engaging the first person you speak with, they will be more likely to advocate for you so you can get your foot in the door.

“If you can find someone inside the company that you know, or don’t know, you can offer your infographic resume to them,” Morgan said. “That infographic resume is a teaser to get that person inside the company to have an initial conversation with you.”

Interview Introductions
Another time to whip out your infographic resume is at the beginning of an interview. This is a wonderful way to break the ice with the people interviewing you. It allows them to chat while getting a quick visual of your skills, experience, and results.

“When you are introducing yourself, hand over your infographic resume at the beginning of the interview,” advises Morgan, but be sure to have a copy of your traditional resume on hand as well.

Industry Rules
While infographic resumes are welcomed in some industries, others are more amenable to traditional resumes. If you are applying to a creative field, such as marketing, advertising, and public relations, you may decide to utilize your infographic resume but only as a supplement to your standard resume. Positions that are results-oriented including sales or openings with startup companies are the perfect opportunity for utilizing infographic resumes since you can highlight your work results. Generally speaking, it is advised that those applying for executive positions and conservative disciplines such as finance avoid non-traditional resumes, with the exception of the scenarios mentioned above.

Infographics on Social Media
Another great opportunity to put your infographic resume to work for you, according to Zimenoff, is on your LinkedIn™ profile. By adding a PDF or JPEG version of your infographic resume, you are providing an additional medium for people to engage with, but be sure you also include a copy of your standard resume as well.

Select SlideShare
A terrific tool many people don’t know about is SlideShare. Morgan said this free application allows you to upload documents from programs such as Word®, Excel®, or PowerPoint® so they show up as images on LinkedIn. The program allows people to see your work without having to download it from your page. Another perk is that your documents can be shared on other social media such as Facebook™ and Pinterest™ as status updates.

Stick to Traditional Resumes Online
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are used by many companies online to sift through resumes of qualified applicants. When applying online, do not use an infographic resume. Zimenoff advised that ATS can strip graphics, leading to a loss of valuable information. As a matter of fact, infographic resumes may be thrown out altogether by ATS as the automated system won’t be able to read the graphics and/or search for key terms.

Highlighting Your Best Results
As a supplement, your infographic resume should be able to stand alone or add to your traditional resume. It should demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the position for which you are applying by focusing on the results of your work. Growth in sales, an increase in the number of people reached, or percentages achieved are things to highlight—not job duties. Should you apply for a sales position, for example, an infographic highlighting your excellent growth in sales numbers would be quite valuable. Simply put, the infographics used should tie directly to the position you want with a focus on your results.

“If your resume is confusing or cutsie, it’s not effective,” advised Zimenoff. “The graphics need to say something important. Employers want to see results. If your graphic shows results, that’s great. A huge pet peeve of mine is an infographic resume where a chunk of it is taken up with a graph that says nothing.”

A Great Supplemental Tool
As a supplemental tool, infographic resumes can assist in any career search. All professionals should have an infographic resume on hand in addition to their traditionally formatted resume. Infographic resumes can be used when networking, starting an initial conversation with a company insider, and at the start of an interview. They are a terrific way of grabbing attention on your LinkedIn profile. Never use an infographic resume when applying online, especially through an ATS. Regardless of which type of resume you are using, its contents should tell the story of your achievements in a compelling manner to drive your career where you want it to go.