Creative Marketing Resume Tips
- Cookie-Cutter Resume?
For the last few years I have been viewing thousands of resumes. I can recall maybe two resumes that have stood out to me. Both of them were very creatively done and peaked my interest. Let’s face it…when a potential employer posts a job for a Creative Professional they actually want someone who is just that…a creative professional. More times than not, we hear Companies requesting online portfolios and not necessarily resumes. I am not suggesting that resumes are not necessary however I am suggesting that they are less of a sales tool than what you think.
According to a survey completed by CareerBuilder.com, (full survey detailed in my upcoming book, 10 Key Interviewing TECHNIQUES) after surveying 2000+ hiring authorities…43% of people surveyed said they spend one minute or less looking at the resume AND 14% of the people surveyed spend less than 30 seconds with a resume (average time 17 seconds).
Let’s recap…You clearly have less than one minute with 57% of the people to impress them with who you are and why you are the person who should be hired through your resume. Are you going to impress them with your CAREER OBJECTIVES? Maybe your EDUCATION? Maybe you jump right into WORK EXPERIENCE. Regardless, the hiring authority is a consumer. When you are part of a project team for a client, do not put together a cookie cutter presentation and click send? Of course not, you will attempt to create a message that your clients CUSTOMER will want to hear about. Right?
Your resume needs to be a compelling message to YOUR end client…the hiring authority. What are their needs as a company? As a Group Creative Director? etc. You are brilliantly creative, make your resume creative. Break the mold a little, stand out from the crowd, cause emotional interruption.
The two resumes that have stood out to me over the years happened to a graphic designer who created a brand for all of himself. The look and feel of his website, matched that of his resume, which was reflected in his signature and even his references sheet. This stood out to me, very clean, organized and professional. I assumed that point prior to ever picking up the phone and talking with him. The second was a resume that was printed on 11″ X 14″ paper folded in a way that it opened to a 8.5″ X 11″ sealed with a personalized sticker. Upon opening the paper was a centered resume and the left and right sidebars were customized with additional information. Not sure if I am explaining it right but regardless, it was creative.
I wish you much success with your truly “Creative” resume. What resumes have stood out to you and why? What is the most creative resume you have come across?
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Comments
You are so right!
Your resume is your invitation to the interview and if it is doesn’t showcase your talents, position where you should be not where you think you should be and look different then the other 500 in the pile, then you will not get invited to the interview.
Diana Miller
I train professionals to be career champions!
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