How can you use narrative to improve your Data Visualization resume?

1 Identify your audience

The first step to create a narrative resume is to identify your target audience. Who are you applying to? What are their goals, needs, and challenges? What kind of data visualization skills are they looking for? How can you match their expectations and requirements? By answering these questions, you can tailor your resume to your audience and highlight the most relevant and impactful aspects of your data visualization experience.

2 Choose your format

The next step is to choose the format of your resume. Depending on your audience, industry, and role, you may opt for a traditional, infographic, or portfolio resume. A traditional resume is a text-based document that summarizes your education, work history, skills, and achievements. An infographic resume is a visual representation of your data visualization skills, using charts, graphs, icons, and colors to showcase your work. A portfolio resume is a collection of your data visualization projects, with links, screenshots, and descriptions of your process and results. Each format has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your situation and goals.

3 Craft your story

The third step is to craft your story. A story is a coherent and engaging sequence of events that connects your data visualization skills to your audience's needs. To craft your story, you need to define three elements: your hook, your plot, and your resolution. Your hook is the opening statement that captures your audience's attention and interest. Your plot is the main body of your resume that showcases your data visualization skills, projects, and achievements. Your resolution is the closing statement that summarizes your value proposition and calls your audience to action.

4 Use data visualization principles

The fourth step in creating an effective resume is to use data visualization principles. These best practices and guidelines will help you create visualizations that are clear, effective, and appealing. When choosing a chart for your data and message, consider the type of chart that will best convey the information. Additionally, incorporate color, size, shape, and position to highlight key information. To avoid clutter or distortion of visuals, be sure to add labels, titles, legends, and annotations to explain your data. Lastly, use consistent fonts, styles, and formats to make your resume more readable, understandable, and memorable.

5 Showcase your personality

The fifth step is to showcase your personality. Personality is a unique combination of traits, values, and preferences that make you unique, and it can help you stand out from other candidates and show your fit with the company culture. To demonstrate your personality, you can include a personal statement that reflects your passion, motivation, and goals; a professional summary that highlights your strengths, skills, and achievements; a personal brand that expresses your identity, style, and voice; and a personal touch that adds humor, emotion, or creativity to your resume. These elements will make your resume more human, relatable, and authentic.

6 Get feedback and refine

The final step is to get feedback and refine your resume. Feedback involves receiving and giving constructive criticism and suggestions to help you identify and fix errors, gaps, and inconsistencies in your resume. It can also help you evaluate and improve the clarity, effectiveness, and appeal of your resume. Additionally, feedback can provide different perspectives, opinions, and insights into your resume that can help you learn and grow as a data visualization professional. To get feedback, ask your peers, mentors, or experts to review your resume and give honest and specific comments. Then use their feedback to make changes, improvements, or additions to your resume.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?