Be Creative

March 23, 2010

Instead of following tradition formats and patterns, think about ways you can be different, things you can do to stand out when going after a job you really want. If you are in a creative field, this is almost a given.

Some great approaches I have seen over the years include:

A resume on which the list of skills formed a wave pattern on the side of the page. This caught my attention immediately.
A carefully crafted portfolio was received a day after the applicant sent their resume. The portfolio included separate sections that detailed why the applicant fit each set of needs on the job posting. This was not for a creative position, which made it stand out even more.
An invitation to take me out for coffee to talk about the position and their application. I couldn’t take them up on it, but the offer was so out of the ordinary, I did contact the applicant to discuss their qualifications and background (meaning, they got a call back).

As long as you are professional and know and understand your audience (the company to which you are applying), adding a little creativity can go a long way in attracting the attention of the person reviewing your resume.