Job Hunting? Make Your Resume Kick Ass
If you're actively seeking employment, you probably know the drill: Be persistent. Be upbeat. Stand out from the crowd -- but not in a weird way. (For example, don't wear a bunny suit to an interview.) Highlight your accomplishments. Ace those tricky interview questions.
And, of course, make sure your resume kicks ass.
Which is easier said than done.
But here's a thought, inspired by the smart folks at Fistful of Talent (they're in the HR biz, so you know they've seen a gazillion examples): Brand yourself with your resume.
What does that mean? Simply put, make your resume reflect who you are and what you want to do.
How, you say? Well, if you're selling yourself as a design professional, let your resume be a sample of your work, complete with nifty visuals. If you're dying for a position in social-media strategy, format your CV to look like Facebook.
Yes, the content still matters, so don't throw out all the important stuff for the sake of coolness. But present that information in a way that reflects you.
Think outside the box -- more outside the box than changing your font from Arial to Tahoma. Do you create killer PowerPoint presentations? Why not present your resume in a snazzy slide deck, then? Maybe you build Web sites. Or are a Flash guru. So give that a try.
If you're worried that a recruiter will still want that boring old piece of paper, you can do both: Create a somewhat normal resume, but then provide a link to the fabulous CV that you've put up online.
You don't have to be a talented graphic designer or Web expert to pull this off. Are you a finance guy? Build a resume in Excel, or formatted to look like an Excel spreadsheet. If you're in the food business, structure your resume to look like a recipe. At the very least, get a little bit interesting by including color, a non-traditional (but still scannable, please) layout, or subtle graphics.
(Disclaimer: Yes, I know, you buttoned-up corporate types are complaining that a resume of this sort would trash your chances right out of the gate. And in some industries, you'd be right. But you're smart people. Apply this advice to the right situation, and don't decorate your AmLaw 100 resume with pictures of gavels and handcuffs -- just as you wouldn't go into the interview dressed as Blind Justice.)
If you need some inspiration, check out these amazing resumes from Karla Wiles and Sarah Barnes (and for some in-depth analysis from the HR pros, read Jessica Lee's take on Sarah's approach and Kris Dunn's views about Karla's). Or take a look at some non-traditional resume layouts from JobMob that veer from the boring without getting too cutesy or crazy.
Got any creative suggestions for a kick-ass resume? Or want to tell me I'm completely off base? Sound off in the comments section.
(resume pictured by Joshua Clark of Valmont Design)