Software/Technique to layout and print origami style CV (Resumé)

[liamwillib]

I'm an Architectural Technology Graduate fed up with being lost in the crowd by prospective employers and have devised a method of making my CV stand out. Last night I designed and prototyped an envelope that folds out revealing my CV, which then folds out further revealing a sample portfolio.

Ideally I am looking for a way of being able to design the "frames" of information that the prospective employer would view, and then have these live-linked to "viewports" on a printable template so I can make changes to what the employer would see, these would be reflected on the template and I could just print and fold. Otherwise the possibility of designing it as it would be viewed and the ability to chop and arrange the resulting "tiles" onto my template before printing could also work.

Just to clarify I want to be able to design regular CV (albeit a slightly unconventional layout allowing for folds etc) and have it transferred to a template that wouldn't look too dissimilar to this:

http://3.s3.envato.com/files/107128.jpg

My thinking is that by presenting my CV in this way it will not only make it stand out, but will showcase my problem solving skills and ingenuity.

Any suggestions of software and ways I could use it in this way are welcome.
Thanks

 

[MisterMe]

As a rule of thumb, ornate CVs are a bad idea. Many large firms scan and catalog the CVs that they receive. You may believe that your creation demonstrates your problem-solving skills. To the computer, your creation is indecipherable. However, your vita may never reach the computer because the nitwit who has to unfold it may rip-it apart in an abortive attempt to unfold it for the scanner.

A vita is a serious document that is supposed to show you in your best light. It is supposed to give its reader information about your training and experience. What you have produced looks like part of a piecework quilt. Your garish colored creation does not convey the seriousness of purpose that an architecture firm expects.

My strong advice to you is go back and write a serious [traditional] CV. You can demonstrate your problems-solving skills during your interview if you get one.

 

[liamwillib]

As a rule of thumb, ornate CVs are a bad idea. Many large firms scan and catalog the CVs that they receive. You may believe that your creation demonstrates your problem-solving skills. To the computer, your creation is indecipherable. However, your vita may never reach the computer because the nitwit who has to unfold it may rip-it apart in an abortive attempt to unfold it for the scanner.

A vita is a serious document that is supposed to show you in your best light. It is supposed to give its reader information about your training and experience. What you have produced looks like part of a piecework quilt. Your garish colored creation does not convey the seriousness of purpose that an architecture firm expects.

My strong advice to you is go back and write a serious [traditional] CV. You can demonstrate your problems-solving skills during your interview if you get one.

I appreciate your advice, I have been of a similar opinion and have a very traditional and professional looking CV. I have even gone through it with a family friend who is the head of a human resources department who is used to wading through hundreds of CVs to help me get the best out of mine.

I think you misunderstood the image I included. It in no way reflects how my CV will look, it is a random image to demonstrate how I would like the software to manipulate my CV and present an easily printable template. It would still be clean and simply presented as it has always been, it will just have a standout added dimension.

One problem is I had to undergo surgery during my final year of university and went from borderline 1st/2:1 to a 2:2, many graduate programs require a minimum 2:1. Recently I was one of 2100 applicants for 5 positions and as part off mass cumulative feedback they listed the most common highlights and pitfalls of the applications. My application included all the highlights included and none of the pitfalls and I was never even considered for interview. In the two serious jobs and other part time jobs I have had, if I get the chance at an interview I have always been offered the job. Creating this "different" CV is a short term attempt to get noticed while I save up for further training.

Even if this CV isn't successfully received it will have given me a productive creative outlet for a few days and might stop me going insane!!


I am almost at the stage of setting this out, who wants to be my saviour!!