I’ve been planning to send in a resume to an advertising agency, and want something to make it stand out a bit while also relaying the fact that I possess the creative edge necessary to work in an ad agency. A couple such ideas include phrases that might be printed on the resume and envelope like “Fully poseable action figure!” and “Valuable prize inside!”.
I suppose this technique could also carry over to other creativity-driven type companies, but this is just one specific example. I know it’s never a good idea to go too over the top, because then you may end up scaring off an otherwise prospective employer.
Unless the irreverence factor of the agency is high… and they’re a small agency…and you’re brilliantly clever, this could tank your application!
Are you applying for a creative position (art director, writer etc.)? Then let that cleverness manifest itself in your book. The resume is the formal, nuts & bolts section that is most often seen by HR and business folk as it is by the creative director. If you’re not applying for a creative position, I feel there is even less to be gained by being cute on a resume.
Even if the resumé was the appropriate vehicle for being “cute,” consider that if it is a group that likes that kind of approach, they’re going to be pretty clever & creative themselves, which means you’ve got a tough crowd to “wow.”
Let your creativity show in your book or self-promotion (of which resume content can be included). But even if you do this, make sure you have a regular professional 8.5 x 11 well-written resumé for the files.
If you’re sure your resume will go directly to the creative director or someone else who would appreciate it, and not to some suit in HR, then you can try it.
Be aware, however, that even a relatively small, local agency will get several hundred resumes each year and they’ve already seen their share of resumes done on:
Pizza boxes (Take a slice of my talent)
Balloons (Lift your campaigns to new heights)
Teddy bears (I can’t BEAR working for anyone else)
Magazine covers (Brilliant new advertising genius)
Boxes of chocolates (You know what you’ll get out of me…talent!)
And dozens of other ideas.
My advice, stick to the business-like approach. It won’t turn anyone off.
Thanks for the feedback. I guess it is better to stay on the business-like side of things, and let my creativity stand out where it’s more appropriate and appreciated.
kunilou’s experience matches what I know from listening to editors. They get manuscripts (in a sense, the author’s resume) whose authors decide to do something cute to show their creativity and get attention (I recall someone hand delivering them in an Elvis costume and feather boa). The editors have learned that the “creative” manuscripts are always lousy. I figured it’d be the same thing with ad agencies.
