Introduction

 

This will be an exceptional blog post. Not in the sense of amazing but of unusual. Beause, exceptionally, it’s all about me.

Actually, that’s not true, because I’ll take the opportunity to talk about mind map design (or lack of it!), but I was asked to provide an ‘iMindMap CV’ by ThinkBuzan to put on their site, and this is the result…

You can download various versions here below:

JPG Image 1920 px ~ JPG Image 3500px ~ PDF Doc ~ Sab on Biggerplate!

 

Let’s have a look and see what’s nice about it, and what’s not so good. I’m nothing if not honest 😀

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Designing My iMindMap CV/Resume

 

This was a great opportunity to try something different. So I did. My main aim was to produce a CV in the true mind map spirit: colourful, original and fun.

But don’t forget that I’m a complete beginner, so I’m using every mind map project I undertake to learn what works well and what doesn’t. Which is why I’m including and analysing this personal example here.

So, without further ado, here’s where I think it’s cool and where I think it sucks, if you’ll pardon the expression.

1) Where It’s Cool

a) It’s got a funky theme: a jigsaw. This appears in the central image, the jigsaw pieces on each main branch, the jigsaw piece next to the title, and of course the background. You did notice the background, didn’t you?*

b) It’s got a metaphor. That is to say, me, the Jigsaw Man, just like everyone, made up of lots of different, interlocking pieces of a multifaceted character, resulting in who I am today.

c) It’s got funny little cartoons. I paid good money for those things, so I’m damn well gonna use ’em, although maybe I’ll lay off for a bit before chronic déjà vu sets in.

d) It’s got reasonably good structure with (I hope) about the right amount of serious content versus more personal stuff. I mean, it’s not a real CV after all. It’s not like I’m trying to get a job as a bank manager or something. If that were the case I’d probably approach things a little differently.

e) It’s got chutzpah. Having looked around a bit, I’ve seen some amazingly creative mind maps and some… not quite so amazing. If nothing else, hopefully this one will at least make you look a little more closely and smile a bit at the deranged-looking guy in the middle who’s chopped himself up into a jigsaw.

As the motto of this site says:

There’s a Thin Line Between Madness & Genius

I’ll leave it up to you to decide which side I’m tending towards.

* Also probably the biggest problem with this mind map – see below.

2) Where It Sucks

a) It’s got a background from hell. Without a distinctive background, I’m starting to realise some mind maps can look a bit… sad. This one does, I can tell you. And what a great way to add yet another reference to my jaunty jigsaw theme. If you have a dark background, everything on top of it needs to be very light to be seen. And vice versa. Only this background has light and dark bits.

b) It’s got a lot of info. And believe me or not, it had twice as much as you see here before I grabbed my virtual pruners. It’s so difficult to be succinct when talking about oneself, don’t you find..?

c) It’s got funny little cartoons. The problem I have, well, one of the fun challenges actually, is finding suitable images to back up the words. Only some people don’t like ‘funny little cartoons’, and don’t find them funny at all. They think they’re childish and not ‘serious’. Well I’m not telling anyone what they should think, but I’m aware of it. Last time I use them on a mind map for a while, promise.

d) Certain bits are too frivolous for a CV, even a mind mappified one. It’s possible I suppose ~ <I loved that dog <sniff> ~ but that’s something I’m ready to live with for the moment.

e) And I can’t think of anything else off the top of my head. If you have any constructive comments of your own I’d love to hear them. Especially tips on choosing suitable backgrounds – that’s something I’d love to get better at.

3) Where To Go From Here

Every new map is like a whole new adventure and massive learning experience. You need to pull lots of ideas and resources together, then hone them down and rethink them and sometimes throw them out completely and start over.

Eventually everything comes together and the moment arrives where you finally say ‘Done!’ It’s a satisfying moment.

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Art or Info?

 

There’s another dimension to take into account, and that is what you are trying to achieve with your mind map. Is it purely a prettified dissemination of information, or is it trying to be something more? Is it boldly blending genres? Is it trying to be… art (or at least somewhat ‘artistic’)?

Of course, it’s whatever you want it to be. In the end you can do anything you like with it, and so you should I reckon. But if your purpose is to share or even just remember stuff quickly, does what you’ve produced do that effectively, or does it… suck?

In my example on this page I suppose I’m trying to do both (share hard facts in a visually pleasing way) and, as is often the case, I may be doing neither particularly well.

However, I’ve tried hard facts in my life and they bore the pants off me. I’ve also tried pure abstraction in art, and whilst very satisfying, I often resort to words to try and explain what the hell I’m trying to say (visually, that is).

So as far as I’m concerned, for the closet intellectual type with an artistic streak trying to get out, mind maps could be exactly what the doctor ordered. Just before the restraining order…

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Puzzling Times

 

We’re living in puzzling times, as ways of working change radically and people are desperately scrabbling around trying to keep in touch (and keep their jobs, if they’re fortunate enough to have one).

There’s a fine line to be drawn, not only between madness and genius, but also between standing out from the crowd and appearing a little too wacky to take seriously.

Mind maps probably fit into the jigsaw somewhere, and I’m going to spend little while trying to work out where. In the mean time, why don’t you puzzle over the following questions and let me know what you think?

Questionnaire

1) Do you think employers in ‘serious industries’ are ready to consider a mind map CVs / resume these days and, if so, which ones?

2) Where do you think my mind map CV works and where could it be improved?

3) Why don’t you head over to our Mind Map Mad Facebook group, join up for free with a click and join in the fun. Hey, you could even post your own mind map CV there for us all to enjoy!

Mind

Mind Map Mad Facebook Group

Join Us Now!

By the way, here are those download links again, and don’t forget to let me know what you think (or leave a comment below), how and where you think my ‘Jigsaw Man CV / Resume’ hits the mark and where it’s way off, as well as any ways you would adapt it to your situation.

JPG Image 1920 px ~ JPG Image 3500px ~ PDF Doc ~ Sab on Biggerplate!

 

Have a Puzzling Week!

Credits: (where available / found):

Emily’s Edible Frankified CV

© 2015 Sab Will / Mind Map Mad