Creativity Does it Fit Into Your Self-Promotional Efforts

Creativity Does it Fit Into Your Self-Promotional Efforts As the saying goes, Curiosity killed the cat, and sometimes well-intentioned (but often misplaced) creativity kills the job offer. Sure, there are tons of sites and resources popping up constantly, offering fancy, shiny, new tools for job seekers who want to think outside the box. From video resumes, to clever self-promotional tactics, theres a fine line between being innovative, and simply trying to draw attention to your application. My husband works for a fairly well-known tech startup in NYC, and a few weeks ago, a candidate sent their resume and job application to said company in the form of a poem and a giant fortune cookie. Clever? Maybe. Effective? Not really. Because if they knew anything about the company they were applying to, theyd know that what they really value are the personal qualities that make someone a well-rounded member of the team innovation, willingness to take a risk with their work, an active presence in the tech industry, etc. Being creative isnt an excuse for blatent attemps to draw attention to yourself. Dont get me wrong creativity is a highly-coveted attribute that almost any employer values in their team members. If its directed appropriately. Want to appeal to employers and stand out from the crowd? DONT Waste your time with a video resume, or other fad technology that promises to be out of the box. DO  Hire a resume writer who knows your industry (or the one youre trying to break into), what those types of organizations truly value, and how to position your skills to meet those demands. DONT Get overly creative with your resume by providing too much, too little, or inappropriate information in an attempt to be edgy or comical. DO Treat your resume as a professional representation of who you are, and what you bring to the table. Does cheesy clip art or unnecessary quotes convey that? Didnt think so. DONT Send generic form letters that arent tailored to the specific organization role to which youre applying. DO Use a cover letter or intro letter to make a connection between the qualifications (skills, experience) in your resume, and your personal and professional interest in the company at hand. Talk about your interest and involvement in the industry, what you appreciate about the work or projects they do, etc. Make it clear that you did your homework and know what theyre about, and how you fit into that model. Send relevant or interesting case studies or projects you did on your own that might appeal to them as an example of what you can do. DONT Try to be cheeky in your communications. Being overly conversational, informal, telling stories, or being inappropriate in your cover letter, email, or resume isnt the way to go. Youre not trying to make friends, youre trying to professionally market yourself to a prospective customer. DO Same as above avoid the generic, automated-sounding form letter that doesnt tell them something interesting about you as an individual, and what makes you a great potential fit with the team and the values of the organization. Talk about relevant blogs or publications you follow, personal projects or volunteer work they might find interesting, or what inspires you about the companys mission or focus. .