The best resume I ever saw (by a person I ended up hiring) was written on a single page and laid out in two columns, with the left-hand column listing the usual past job experience, and the right-hand column showing a few statistics and keywords. Things like the number of clients worked with, top brands associated with, average budget responsible for, etc.
It was just enough information to know that they were potentially a good fit, and left out non-essential information that I could ask if we decided to interview (we did).
Not only that, it was laid out in such a way that I felt the candidate understood what I wanted to know, and was thinking from my point of view rather than their own.
Plus it was simply refreshing to see a resume looking different to the others in the pile!
That’s one way of creating an unusual and effective resume. Below are a few other other examples, and as you’ll see, they can be risky. It’s up to you to decide what you’re comfortable with and the impression you’re trying to make/impact you want to make. It’s also important to research the type of company you’re applying to and their tolerance for going against the grain.
- Write a resume in the form of a poem or short story. This can be a creative way to showcase your writing skills and personality.
- Create a visual resume using graphics, images, and other design elements. This can be a good way to stand out if you're applying for a job in a creative field, such as graphic design or marketing.
- Use a non-traditional format, such as a video or a website. This can be a good way to showcase your skills and experiences in a more dynamic way.
- Include personal or unique details that give the reader a sense of who you are as a person. This could include information about your hobbies, interests, or passions outside of work.
Overall, the key to writing an unusual resume is to be creative and think outside the box. The goal is to create a resume that is memorable and showcases your skills and experiences in a unique way, while still thinking of the company’s challenges and how you could help solve them.
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