Getting creative with your resume is definitely one way to make your application stand out when applying for a job. I recently had a pretty out there resume hit my inbox and it certainly created some discussion in the Inspire HQ office about the effectiveness of the creative resume. This creative resume was unlike any I had previously come across. It’s use of bright colours, the gimmicky approach to “claim your prize” and unique layout of content definitely caught my eye and made me sit up and take notice of this application.
In this week’s blog we’ve interviewed Bianca, the creator of this out there application to give you a first-hand insight in to how she has made her creative resume work for her and why she loves the creative resume as opposed to the traditional.
Here’s just a couple of snap shots of what caught our eye with Bianca’s application:
Please note we have removed some information for privacy and confidentiality purposes.
Our Interview with Bianca:
What motivated you to take a different approach with your resume and be creative?
This was a natural decision, as I wanted to create a first impression that was illustrative of my personal brand (bright, cheerful, a little quirky albeit, professional & undeterred by calculated risks). Playing it safe, in an otherwise saturated job market, seemed like a sure-fire way to undersell myself. If I was applying for a position because I was confident that I’m the absolute best candidate for it, I should be shouting it from the rooftops; not hiding amongst an ocean of black, size 11, left-aligned, Calibri typeface.
As a society, we mastermind elaborate marketing strategies to “sell” products & essentially, our resume is our chance to sell ourselves to a potential employer. Why not apply that same visual appeal to ensure that you’re a tantalising advertisement of you?
Have you always had a non-traditional resume or at what stage did you change your approach to applying for jobs?
Yes, I have always had a vibrant resume & I suspect this is testament to being one of those ‘artsy-fartsy, creative types!’ Albeit, it is always tailored in design, vibe, language etc., to the position – and more importantly the company – that I’m applying to be a part of.
What positive feedback have you received about your creative resume?
Please note that all the herein positive feedback about my resume are direct quotes & not me being pretentious in any way: …”creative”, “one-of-a-kind”, “bright”, “well-written”, “pertinent to the role”, “beautiful layout”, “easy to read”, “in your face”, “definitely stands out”, “Your resume is the reason I am calling to…” a) “Invite you to interview for the position”, b) “Ask if you can design a resume for me,” c) “Do you do 40th birthday invitations?”, d) “You’re hired!”
What negative feedback, if any, have you received about your creative resume?
I am met with bitter disappointment when I don’t colour-coordinate my interview attire with the bright, yellow landing page and am advised that it uses a lot of ink to print…
… Genuinely though, I have yet to receive negative feedback about my resume. In saying that, I have been applying for roles that relish creativity, thus my resume is targeted to that audience. I suspect there may be a negative vibe, if I were to apply for a position within a corporate, legal firm… with a bright, yellow resume!
How did you come up with the concept?
I would like to contrive an answer that doesn’t divulge the secret of ‘great ideas’ however, I’ll tell the truth, as it makes me giggle… I came up with the concept for my resume at 2am in the morning, post ‘too much caffeine’, after watching infomercials (yes, fact is stranger than fiction!) I found myself fixated on the TV and was overcome with the sudden urge to purchase a box-set of classic country music, a ferocious vacuum cleaner and an extra-terrestrial looking blender (all of which, I did not need).
Due to the effectiveness of the infomercials, I thought, “Imagine if my resume had the same effect on potential employers!” As they say, the rest is history and here we are, talking about ‘once upon a time, not so long ago, when I drank too much caffeine and made a yellow resume!’
Do you think it has helped or hindered your job applications? How many jobs have you applied for vs how many have you landed an interview for?
I humbly disclose, that I have a 100% success rate with my resume. I am incredibly fortunate to have received an interview for every position I have applied for alas, I am also privileged enough to have a catalogue of long-term roles, therefore have not frequented the job-market regularly.
What advice do you have for other job seekers considering going creative?
From my experience, the reward of a creative resume far exceeds any ‘risk!’ My advice; be proud, ‘own your brand’ and leave that lasting first impression to get your potential employer talking about you (for the right reasons), from the moment your application hits their inbox… even if it’s going to drain the ink in their printer!
