Skill Set Graph
I’ve been working on a new resume layout this week. I’m considering including a skill set graph like this one. Its an honest (albeit subjective) way to communicate my strengths in a clear way.
I was also thinking about a word cloud kind of thing, with larger words for my best skills, and smaller for things like trombone & guitar (which I know how to play, but poorly).
I really think something like this is useful. I’m always being asked what my best genres are, whether I can do this or that – why not just write it down?
Or maybe it’s better vertical? Its probably easier to read, but I think I like the look of the other better.
5 Responses to “Skill Set Graph”
Leave a Reply
Interesting concept! It would definitely appeal to a ‘visual’ person. I wonder about the idea of putting things in that one is so-so at. I’m not being facetious – is there a specific purpose?
You can always say ‘yea, I rock at that, and I’m super professional’, but they want you to ‘show them’ – prove it. I wonder if a highly focused music demo isn’t more effective at showing the “goods”?
I like this approach for it’s visual appeal, and it does give a quick overview of what you ‘do’. It always depends on your market, whether they’ll get it and find it useful. I’m always confused by the idea of marketing to filmmakers as a film composer, and having a giant list of all your plug-ins. Who cares? 
Dave says: Yes – I think including something you’re so-so at is useful. It calibrates the graph. I think you just have to pick a skill that is forgivable. I mean, do you really expect me to be able to play the trombone well? But I think its useful to know that I play a little guitar and trombone.
If I just said I was 100% at everything it wouldn’t be useful. But look how much better I am at piano than at trombone? I must be pretty good at piano, no?
“It calibrates the graph…”
Aha! Right, sort of like the classic ‘strengths/weaknesses’ thing, where you skew weaknesses to be strengths, or make strengths more outstanding.
“I think you just have to pick a skill that is forgivable.”
Right… so
“6 lines of coke < 30 seconds"
"Missing A.A. meetings"
would probably not fly.
Bart says: I like the idea, but I’ll have to leave “Punctuality” off of my graph!
Interesting concept! It would definitely appeal to a ‘visual’ person. I wonder about the idea of putting things in that one is so-so at. I’m not being facetious – is there a specific purpose?
You can always say ‘yea, I rock at that, and I’m super professional’, but they want you to ‘show them’ – prove it. I wonder if a highly focused music demo isn’t more effective at showing the “goods”?
I like this approach for it’s visual appeal, and it does give a quick overview of what you ‘do’. It always depends on your market, whether they’ll get it and find it useful. I’m always confused by the idea of marketing to filmmakers as a film composer, and having a giant list of all your plug-ins. Who cares?
Yes – I think including something you’re so-so at is useful. It calibrates the graph. I think you just have to pick a skill that is forgivable. I mean, do you really expect me to be able to play the trombone well? But I think its useful to know that I play a little guitar and trombone.
If I just said I was 100% at everything it wouldn’t be useful. But look how much better I am at piano than at trombone? I must be pretty good at piano, no?
“It calibrates the graph…”
Aha! Right, sort of like the classic ‘strengths/weaknesses’ thing, where you skew weaknesses to be strengths, or make strengths more outstanding.
“I think you just have to pick a skill that is forgivable.”
Right… so
“6 lines of coke < 30 seconds"
"Missing A.A. meetings"
would probably not fly.
That’s the idea. Check out what I had in mind:
Resume Layout Ideas
What do you think?
I like the idea, but I’ll have to leave “Punctuality” off of my graph!