Let’s Talk Career: A Creative Resume?

During my college tenure, I had signed up for a summer job program the government runs each year for tertiary students. For each of the those three years I found myself in the same department between six and twelve weeks, human resource. I spent my time assisting with HR functions, over looking, sorting and collecting resumes. I noticed one thing. They were a lot of the same, plain Jane looking stale format resumes that did absolutely nothing to stand out from the rest.

The few that dared to try something different, had an advantage. Those resume were looked at, not just scanned for two seconds and tossed if the didn’t have the exact required training and/or experience for the vacancy advertised. When you have 100 resumes to scan for the same position, if a resume isn’t jumping out within two seconds, chances are, it will be tossed aside. For this reason there are whole resume writing services.

Why?

So how can you get your resume the attention it deserves? By daring to be different. Even if your resume is not exactly in line with what they are looking for, attracting enough attention that invites the reader to read your resume in its entirety can only ever work in your favour. Why? The department is likely to keep it, likely to view it if another vacancy that better suits the candidate’s qualifications. You already have something over other candidates with your resume, their attention. With the global job market the way it is, every advantage counts.

 Consider the resume above. Does it jump out at you as that of a graphics designer? Sure. Now imagine interviewing for a graphics position and being presented with a plain resume with just text and the one above. Which would you look at first? Which would you read in its entirety? Before the reader even reads a word on the page, they already have a sample of the candidates creativity, a demonstration of the ability to take initiative, try new things.

How?

Think about it carefully.

• Consider your industry you’re in.  You want to be creative, not outrageous. Consider what might be frowned upon. Neon colors are never a good idea. If in doubt, leave it out.

• Go with a theme in your industry if possible. Conservative professions will require conservative concepts. You can’t go wrong if you stick with representations of your occupation or the industry.

• Maintain Professionalism. You should still consider being professional throughout, taking the right amount of risk. Ensure readability and ensure the relevant information is available at a snapshot.
  

A creative resume done right with help you get the right kind of attention. In the HR department, every bit of extra attention can tip the scale in your favor when you are job hunting,.