Author: Franz Malten Buemann

  • What is an Infographic Resume? Examples and Templates

    When the modern job search is incredibly competitive, how can you ensure your resume stands out among hundreds of applications? An infographic resume could be just what you need.

    Here, we’ll explore when to use an infographic resume, what hiring managers have to say about these types of resumes — and how to make one for yourself.
    Table of Contents

    What is an infographic resume?
    When to Use an Infographic Resume
    Infographic Resume Templates
    How to Make an Infographic Resume
    Infographic Resume Examples

    What is an infographic resume?
    An infographic resume is a visual representation of your job experience, skills, and qualifications.
    Instead of being text-based like a traditional resume, an infographic resume uses graphic design elements such as icons, graphs, and timelines to present your information.

    When to Use an Infographic Resume
    While infographic resumes certainly stand out among a sea of submissions, this type of resume isn’t appropriate for all job applications.
    If you submit a resume in this format through an applicant tracking system, you could disqualify yourself if the technology can’t read visual information — so it’s best to stick to the format prescribed by the job posting.
    Additionally, while an infographic resume might be a good idea for a more design-related role, it’s likely not a good idea for most non-design roles.

    Infographic Resume Templates
    If you’re interested in creating your own infographic resume, let’s take a look at some templates you can use to get started.
    1. Simple infographic resume template.
    This simple and minimal infographic resume template is from Venngage.
    In this example, there’s plenty of white space. The resume also highlighted creative and software skills and left space for hobbies.

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    What we like: It’s clean and easy to follow. Each section is clearly defined and easy to scan. Plus, the round icons create a cohesive design element that brings the whole look together.
    2. Graphic design infographic resume template.
    This template is also from Venngage. This infographic template would be best for someone in a design role such as a graphic designer, or even a technical role.

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    What we like: The design feature at the top of the resume immediately grabs the attention of the viewer and offers a visual overview of the applicant’s skills.
    3. Marketing infographic resume template.
    In this template from Venngage, you’ll see technical skills and educational training take up the majority of the space on the resume, signaling that this is the most important information.

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    There’s also a timeline of work experience at the bottom, which is a creative way to showcase your career progression.
    What we like: This template is best for a marketing role as it offers a balanced way to showcase both technical skills and creative elements.

    How to Make an Infographic Resume
    1. Start with a good structure.
    Start by figuring out which tool you’re going to use to create your infographic. You might choose to create one in PowerPoint or use pre-made resume templates on a design website like Canva or Venngage.
    Once you choose your tool, identify a good structure. Do you want your name and a brief opening description at the top? Would you prefer to put the education section at the beginning, or end? Are you going to include previous positions, or focus on just the current one?
    Additionally, you might want to figure out whether you’re going to focus more on icons and images, or data.
    “I love when candidates use infographics as an opportunity to highlight their creative or design abilities,” shares Devon Brown, Director of Global Executive Recruiting at HubSpot.
    However, she urges candidates to ensure their design is clean and easily digestible.
    “It has to be formatted in a way that makes it just as easy to read as a typical resume,” Brown advises. “The flow of information, and how it’s presented, is critically important if a candidate chooses to go this route.”
    2. Take note of everything you want to include in your infographic resume.
    Once you’ve chosen a structure, pull up an existing resume and take note of everything you want to transfer over to the infographic resume.
    “I’ve had candidates share graphics on the types of roles they’ve supported, as well as metrics related to their current role,” says Kenny Nestle, HubSpot’s G&A recruiter.
    For instance, if you want your infographic resume to be data-heavy, write down a few key metrics related to your current role, such as “43% YoY growth” or “12% increase in MRR.”
    It’s easier to design your infographic resume once you know what you’ll need to include.
    3. Choose a good color scheme.
    A cohesive color scheme is a critical component of any good design, and this is no exception.
    Consider using clean, complementary colors — like white, black, and orange, or yellow and teal — to help your resume stand out without becoming too distracting.
    4. Have a strong opener.
    This is a best practice for any resume, but particularly for an infographic, you’ll want to start with a good, powerful opener.
    Tríona O’Sullivan, HubSpot’s former global marketing recruiter, shares how essential the opener is on any resume.
    “Given how competitive and busy the job market is today,” O’Sullivan says, “it’s more important to ensure your resume is easy to review and states your experience and achievements clearly and quickly since that’s what someone is going to look for first when reviewing.”
    Ultimately, your opener is your value proposition. What will you bring to the role that the hiring manager can’t find elsewhere?
    5. Use good design principles.
    If you want to create an infographic resume, it should use the same design principles as anything else you’d design.
    These principles include:

    Creating balance using either symmetrical or asymmetrical designs.
    Leveraging contrast to highlight certain elements.
    Using movement to create a narrative and provide a high-quality user experience.
    Ensuring there’s unity in your design — i.e. your composition’s elements are in agreement.

    Take a dive into design principles in this post to make sure your resume is top-notch.
    But even if you’re making a design-forward resume, make the context a priority over everything else. Amelia Towle, HubSpot’s head of brand infrastructure and design team manager, spoke with her team on the potential merits of an infographic resume.
    Keep your design simple.
    “If I think about the purpose of a resume, it’s a document that your intended audience typically wants to scan as quickly as possible to glean information in an efficient way,” she says.
    She continues, “If you drastically alter the format, you are perhaps forcing extra cognitive load on a busy recruiter who is just trying to narrow down a potentially vast pool of applicants.”
    6. Make it actionable.
    Even with additional design elements, there’s only so much information you can fit into an infographic resume.
    To give recruiters another place to learn more about your work qualifications, make your resume actionable by including links to your portfolio, website, or LinkedIn.
    “While I don’t love super creative infographic-style resumes, I love when someone hyperlinks to their portfolio or website, etc,” O’Sullivan adds. “That’s an amazing way to showcase both their experience and their thought process when it comes to applying for roles. If I see a hyperlink for one, 99% of the time, I will go and check that out.”
    If you do choose to create an infographic resume, take a look at a few of these examples for inspiration.

    Infographic Resume Examples
    1. The colorful, graphic-heavy infographic resume.
    The resume below uses plenty of visuals and numbers to highlight relevant information. For instance, there’s a graph to showcase the blog posts Caroline has written that have earned a spot on the first page of Google.
    There’s a large “12” to highlight the years of content creation under her belt. There’s even an image of 10 stick figures to demonstrate her individuality.

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    Consider how you might use one font, and a complementary color palette, to create a similar infographic.
    Caroline designed this one using one of HubSpot’s free infographic templates, so feel free to create the same one using the templates, as well.
    2. The data-heavy infographic resume.
    In the following infographic resume (also created using HubSpot’s templates), you’ll see Caroline highlighted most of her accomplishments using data — such as the 45% YoY growth, 1,400 additional subscribers, or 24,000 hours managing deadlines.

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    She also used icons of a smiley face, pencil, and painter to demonstrate some of her skills in a more visual form.
    3. The minimal infographic resume.
    The infographic resume below more closely resembles a traditional resume but includes a few graphic design elements that help it stand out.

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    This example is best for someone who wants to showcase both technical and creative skills in a professional format.
    We could see this infographic resume being used by someone in marketing or sales.
    4. The traditional infographic resume.
    This infographic resume more closely resembles a traditional resume but includes a few graphic design elements that help it stand out.

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    This example is best for someone who wants to make their resume stand out but doesn’t want to stray too far away from the traditional format.
    5. The professional infographic resume.
    This resume also leans towards a traditional format but incorporates more graphic design elements than the previous example.

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    With several icons and even a bar graph at the bottom, this resume is more design-friendly than a standard resume but is still professional. It leaves plenty of room for text to expand on work experience and achievements.
    This infographic resume could be used for a variety of roles, from something technical like a software engineer to a more visual position like a social media strategist.
    Ready to take your resume to the next level? Grab some starter templates below.

  • Responsive Emails: Designs, Templates, and Examples for 2023

    Have you ever opened an email on your phone and the image was low-quality, the text was too small, and the call-to-action button was broken? Those are all flaws of static email design. Responsive emails are the answer.

    Given that more than half of U.S. residents look at email marketing messages on their phones, you need to optimize your emails for multiple screens, including mobile and tablet.
    Responsive emails use fluid images and tables to remain flexible across different screen sizes. Ultimately, they deliver content designed for each user’s optimal experience.
    Though responsive emails can be designed using CSS media queries, you don’t need any coding experience to make one. Creating a responsive email isn’t just a job for coders.
    Here, we’ve lined up some best practices and ready-to-use templates, as well as a quick tutorial about the fundamentals of responsive emails.

    What is a responsive email?
    Responsive Email Design
    Responsive Email Design Examples
    Responsive Email Templates
    Responsive Email Best Practices
    Getting Started with Responsive Emails

    Responsive emails are also more accessible, as they allow subscribers to read on their preferred device.
    To illustrate, here is how a promotional email I received looked on desktop.

    This email has awesome imagery, shoppable icons, and is nicely formatted. When I open the email on mobile, this is what I’m greeted with.

    I still have the same information and the same photos and shoppable icons. The only noticeable difference is the email format. It’s different to better fit the mobile experience.
    Now, imagine if that same desktop layout was applied to mobile. I’d have to zoom in on my phone to see any of the pictures or text. Instead of doing that, I’d unsubscribe.
    With responsive email, user experience can be enhanced, as well as campaign ROI.
    Think about it: Subscribers satisfied with an optimized mobile email design will find themselves opening more marketing messages because they know it’ll be accessible and look good.

    So, with all this talk about responsive emails, you must be itching to create your own. Next, we’ll look at some responsive email examples and templates.

    Responsive Email Designs
    There are many ways that you can design responsive emails.
    If you have coding knowledge, you can code different email templates for different screen sizes. You can also use a pre-made template that works will all screen sizes.
    No matter your approach, you’ll need your email marketing software. Here, you can design an email, and then preview that email on several devices. Most email software will show you how the design will look on multiple devices.
    The video below will walk you through how to design an email with a template. In the video, the user is on Klaviyo, but the concepts hold true no matter what software you use.

    Coding a Responsive Email
    If you’re looking to make elements of your email responsive, you’ll need to work with media queries.
    Media queries are a CSS technique. It allows you to set style rules that only appear if certain conditions are true. For example, you can specify what font sizes and image sizes to use when a screen is 600px wide or smaller.
    When working with email, you can use media queries to specify what your design should look like on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. To do so, you’ll need to specify the following:

    Use the selector “@media” and specify “screen.” This indicates that the code will affect devices with a screen.
    Set your “max-width” in pixels. This specifies the screen size where the code will take effect.
    Specify any CSS style guides you want that specific screen to follow.

    Let’s take a look at the code below.
    @media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
    body {
    font-size: 30px;
    }
    }
    When applied to the CSS of an email, body text will appear at a size of 30px for screens that are 600px wide or smaller.
    While this approach can help you make certain elements of your email response, we recommend using a template if possible.
    Unless you have comprehensive web design experience, coding several media screens can be time-consuming and frustrating.
    If you aren’t technical or want an easier method, try using an email marketing tool with built-in responsive templates. HubSpot’s free email software, for instance, provides drag-and-drop templates that are responsive by default.

    Responsive Email Design Examples
    It’s time to explore examples. Start with this video, which goes over some of the best email marketing campaigns.

    Then, you can read about some of our favorite responsive email designs.
    1. TOMS Newsletter
    In TOMS’ newsletter, the main difference between the desktop version and the mobile version is the stacking and size of the display ads.
    With responsive design, the mobile version doesn’t have cluttered navigation, and the image fits the screen nicely. The CTAs have also been moved for better visibility.

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    2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    As seen in the TOMS newsletter, responsive email design helps stack the content in a way that’s visually appealing and easy to digest. This example from the MET is no different.
    On mobile, the positioning of the menu changes. Links to different gift shop items fall at the bottom of the page. This keeps the images of available souvenirs front and center.

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    3. Mulberry
    Again, with a responsive email design, the name of the game is stacking. It’s all about making the content easy to read and visually appealing, no matter how small the device is that someone is viewing the content on.
    The alternating photos and text make sense for desktop, while the consistent stacking of photos over related text for mobile, along with the dividing lines, ensures the viewer won’t be confused.

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    Responsive Email Templates
    A responsive template will automatically adapt to any screen size, so whether the email is opened on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, it will look great and have complete functionality.
    For those with less of a coding background or those looking to spend less time with design, my advice is to use a template. They’re a surefire way to make sure your email will look professional and be responsive.
    Responsive email templates save you time in designing an email that could’ve been picked out from a selection. For example, HubSpot’s email marketing tool includes over 60 templates just for responsive emails.
    Let’s take a look at some template options now.
    1. HubSpot
    HubSpot offers a couple of free responsive email templates. If you’re a HubSpot customer or a free user, you can download and try them out yourself.
    For instance, here’s one of the responsive email templates — notice the sidebar, where you can preview the template on multiple devices.

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    Clicking through device types and making sure your email is formatted accordingly is one of the final steps in the design process and is the only step in the responsive email process when you’re using software like HubSpot.
    By clicking on the smartphone device for preview, for instance, you can see if your content — including font size and image resolution — is formatted in a way that’s pleasing for mobile.

    2. CampaignMonitor
    The templates offered by CampaignMonitor are similar to many others, in which responsive email results are shown in the preview tool. For example, here is a CampaignMonitor template:

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    You can see the different devices side-by-side so you can compare design elements easily. Tiny edits can be made to create the best experience for all subscribers.
    CampaignMonitor templates are often free, so it’s a good choice if you have a minimal budget.
    3. Stripo
    Stripo offers over 300 free HTML email templates. You can choose templates by industry, season, type, and feature. For instance, here’s a template from their business industry section.

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    A good sign of a solid responsive email template is the option to see the preview in both desktop and smartphone variations, as shown in Stripo’s preview mode.
    Notice how a single column layout was adopted in the mobile preview to fit the specifications of phones.
    Stripo is a website you can visit quickly to find a template that fits your goals. You might consider Stripo if you’re looking to try out responsive emails or want some design inspiration.
    4. Constant Contact
    Constant Contact offers over 200 professional email templates that are accessible after signing up. From looking at the example below, you can see that the platform offers responsive email templates.

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    Constant Contact’s templates have drag-and-drop editing, the option to add surveys, ecommerce functions, and a photo library tool. These features can all help to create the email subscribers want to see.
    It’s helpful to use a service like Constant Contact because the specific tools allow you to maintain consistency, like in the example above. You can tell that the responsive nature of the email doesn’t compromise any of the design elements.
    Now that we’ve taken a look at some template options, let’s look at another way to make responsive emails work, along with best practices.

    Responsive Email Best Practices
    The exact design of your responsive email will vary based on the goals of your campaign. However, these tips can help you ensure the best experience for your readers.

    Make sure your responsive email is scalable and flexible. Preview the email on different devices to ensure your message is responsive.
    If you’re coding your own email, remember CSS media queries change fields that are fixed to fields that are fluid.
    Use larger fonts that will be easy to read on smaller screens.
    Single-column layouts are easier to scale. If simple layouts are good for your web pages, definitely consider them for responsive emails.

    Be sure to test your emails before you hit “schedule.” Only finalize the designs once you see how they look across multiple screen resolutions. So many people access emails by mobile just for the ease of it.
    A simple way to check the effectiveness of your email is to send it to yourself or your team as a test — does it stack up against the other responsive marketing emails in your inbox? If so, you’re ready to send.

    Getting Started with Responsive Emails
    Responsive emails create a better, more accessible experience for your customers. If you’re just making the transition, start by exploring pre-made responsive email templates. These will save you time while giving you design flexibility.
    Then, get a second opinion. Ask a colleague to open an email on their desktop and phone. You can get their honest feedback on both experiences.
    Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment. You can A/B test different responsive designs until you find a layout that resonates most.
    Soon, you’ll be sending out responsive emails and increasing your open rates.

  • [eBook] Migrating to Salesforce Flow

    With the imminent retirement of Workflow Rules and Process Builder, many admins may have spiraled into a panic, wondering how they are going to migrate their entire system to Salesforce Flow!  For many organizations, this will be a daunting task; for years, processes have been… Read More

  • Is it possible to care at scale?

    After 25 years, I stopped using a certain credit card for business. It was easily millions of dollars worth of transactions over that period. Did anyone at the company notice? Did anyone care?

    I still remember losing a client in 1987. Small organizations pay attention and care very much about each and every customer. Verizon and AT&T, on the other hand, don’t even know that you and I exist.

    Small family farms have significantly higher yields than neighboring farms that are much bigger. That’s because the individual farmer cares about every single stalk and frond, and the person with a lot of land is more focused on what they think of as the big picture.

    But it’s pretty clear that if you add up enough small things, you get to the big one.

    Caring at scale can’t be done by the CEO or a VP. But what these folks can do is create a culture that cares. They can hire people who are predisposed to care. They can pay attention to the people who care and measure things that matter instead of chasing the short term.

    Large organizations have significant structural advantages. But the real impacts happen when they act like small ones.

  • This week in CX: are the current employee benefits and financial aids enough? plus Talkdesk & Twilio

    Happy Friday! ‘This week in CX’ brings you the latest roundup of industry news. This week, we’re looking at thoughts on the spring budget for retail and hospitality, as well as new questions into whether employee benefits include all the financial help they need. There’s also new research into ineffective AI for customer service, and the…
    The post This week in CX: are the current employee benefits and financial aids enough? plus Talkdesk & Twilio appeared first on Customer Experience Magazine.

  • The Best Mailchimp Alternatives for Email Marketing

    Selecting an email marketing tool is a process. There’s a lot to consider, and it can get so overwhelming that some people just opt for the tool that is widely known. That’s one way to go about it. However, we don’t recommend that route. You run the risk of paying for bloated software you aren’t…
    The post The Best Mailchimp Alternatives for Email Marketing appeared first on Benchmark Email.

  • 22 LinkedIn Hacks That’ll Make You More Productive [SlideShare]

    This post originally appeared on HubSpot’s Sales Blog. To read more content like this, subscribe to Sales.
    Once considered a social platform solely for networking, LinkedIn has proven itself invaluable for a wide range of other uses: marketing, recruiting, sales prospecting, hiring, and research, among others. There’s a lot you can do with LinkedIn, so getting up-to-speed on and nailing the basic functions is a worthwhile exercise in itself.
    But little did you know the social media platform also contains a variety of secret capabilities that can make you that much more efficient and effective. I’ll give an example. Want to send a message to someone you’re not connected with, but you’re out of InMails? Here’s how:

    Prospecting just got a whole lot easier — and that’s just the beginning.
    In this SlideShare, we’ve collected 22 of the most useful — and hidden — hacks in LinkedIn, including:

    How to hide your connections from competitors
    How to get a tailored lead list delivered directly to your inbox weekly or daily
    How to find prospects you already have something in common with
    How to customize your connection request on a mobile device

    Take a look to upgrade your LinkedIn status from pro to hacker. (And check out this post for the ultimate cheat sheet to mastering LinkedIn.)

    22 Hidden LinkedIn Hacks Revealed from
    Emma Snider

    Have any other LinkedIn hacks up your sleeve? Share them with us in the comments!