Photo by Socialisbetter on flickr.com
Can creativity help on the job front? Absolutely! Yes, I do encourage originality and creativity when constructing and presenting your resume. Especially in this tough hiring environment. Don’t be afraid to do something different from the norm. Of course, common sense does play a role but try to think outside of the box to stand among the crowd.
In a recent survey, The Creative Group, a staffing service in Menlo Park, California, asked executives to describe the most unusual tactic they’d ever seen job candidates use. Their responses included:*
“One candidate handcuffed himself to the desk during the interview.”
“One candidate sent us his resume written on a softball.”
“An applicant rented a billboard that could be seen from our office window and used it to list his qualifications.”
“A candidate sent us a T-shirt with the names of everyone in the company on it – including her own.”
“A job-seeker had prepaid Chinese food delivered to me. Inside the fortune cookie was his name and phone number.”
Do any of them work?
“A person offered to work for free on a trial basis. I hired her.”
“One applicant brought us doughnuts every day until he was hired.”
I once had a marketing client who sent his resume out wrapped around an ear of corn. His follow-up played off the “shucks” “give me your ear,” etc. theme. He had several offers.
Bottom line: If your current strategy hasn’t been working, try something new. Creativity can in fact open new doors.
*Source: Entrepreneur, August 2003
Jonathan is an Executive Recruiter/Career Coach that has successfully placed hundreds of Accounting & Finance Professionals. If you are currently struggling in your career, he is available on a limited basis for personal 1-on-1 career coaching and for resume makeovers.
