When applying novelty and difference in job-search situations, be certain that your approach is refreshingly appealing and does not go beyond the limits of your reader's sense of acceptability and good taste. Know the occupation and even the firm you want to enter. Generally, conservative fields require more conservative presentations, and progressive organizations require more creative approaches.
Sometimes a poorly planned and inappropriately novel approach to resume preparation backfires and causes such comments as ''He's a smart aleck," "He just doesn't know how to write a resume," ''If he's this weird in selling himself for a job, he'll never make it with our conservative clientele," or ''She comes on too strong." On the other hand, a well-planned and appropriate deviation from the expected may indeed help capture attention and produce these types of re marks: "This resume is more attractive than any of the others," "We need new blood, originality, and creativity, the very kind demonstrated in this resume," "Here's one resume that is refreshing, original, different-I definitely have to meet this person," and "Anybody who can package himself this way can certainly do the same for my company's image."
Variations or alterations of certain techniques suggested for resume packaging might very well add more distinctiveness to a resume.
Here are eight possible creative variations of resume packaging to consider:
1. Off-Size Stationery. Standard business stationery is 8 by 11 inches. Consider using odd-size stationery instead, such as legal size, which is 8 by 14 inches, or executive size, 7 by 10 inches. You may want to use the standard stationery for the resume and the smaller, executive-size stationery for the cover application letter.
2. Off-White Colored Stationery. While white is the most acceptable and businesslike stationery color for the resume, you may add distinctiveness, warmth, or richness by using, instead, mildly off-white pastel colors. Absolutely avoid the use of loud, intimidating colors that give a clownish or commercial appearance to the resume.
3. Different-Colored Ribbon. Black print against a white paper background is the easiest and fastest to read. Yet other deep colors may be almost as easy to read and can add an attractive difference to the resume. As people's hair or clothing are highlighted with colored accessories, your resume may use color to highlight a title, section headings, key words, or even asterisks used in a listing of accomplishments. Just be certain that ribbon color is used subtly for emphasis and interest, not for making the resume look like a blinking Christmas tree.
4. Media and Language of the Field. This kind of a resume contains a tabular format similar to that of a financial report and uses the language of the profession in its title: ''Statement of Employment Assets." This format and language are interesting and appropriate because the job seeker is applying for a specific position. If a job seeker is applying for a position in public relations work, then they must creatively apply special media format and language to their resume. In such a resume the introduction is organized as a press release that immediately captures reader attention and engages reader interest.
One resume that received particular interest was mailed to a company that manufactured paper bags. This resume was typed on one side of a brown paper bag manufactured by the company; the company imprint was at the top of the resume. The nutshell summary and letter of application indicated that the applicant's father had worked for the firm for many years and that the applicant had a great desire to continue his father's heritage with the company. The applicant's choice of paper bag medium, the indication of past association with the firm, and good credentials helped produce a very interesting sales presentation.
5. Trigger Words Linking Title to Headings. This simple but imaginative device interestingly ties the resume title and body into a high impact and highly compact communication
6. Folders, Brochures, Booklets, and Portfolios. A special effort in arranging your resume into one of these formats distinguishes your resume from others appearing on standard stationery and may give a more professional or executive appearance to your presentation. But again, remember to be aware of your reader's possible reactions to novelty in resume preparation. Will such a format be acceptable or unacceptable?
7. Special Envelope Notations. Your resume may receive special notice if the mailing envelope exhibits attention-getting markings, such as "personal, urgent matter," "important business," or "confidential".
8. Special Effects and Follow-ups. A unique idea for applying to a religious organization is to type the resume on a rolled-up scroll of papyrus like paper, giving the special effect of a religious document. A novel idea for applying to a gift-mailing business is to send a gift box with your resume enclosed and a brief note attached to the box, saying, "Since you brighten other people's lives each day with your gifts, here is a special gift to brighten your day!"
A novel idea for applying to a sales organization is to send a letter and a fake million-dollar check. The letter might read, "Sometime this week, expect a letter that will show how you can cash the enclosed check during the coming year." A few days later, follow up with your resume and application letter.
Either on the envelope or in the letter, indicate, "A $1,000,000 promise!" Of course, if you do intend to feature this kind of sales appeal, be certain that you can support your claim with solid money-saving or profit-producing ideas; otherwise the employment representative will surely know you've used some gimmick.
Before mailing out a novel resume, test out its effectiveness by discussing it with a number of people whose opinions you respect and who you know have a good feeling for the type of work you're seeking. If your novel approach produces a very favorable reaction from those asked, you may have a winning resume.
It is important to remember that any novel and different approach, from a low-keyed use of off-white paper to a totally original format, cannot substitute for the essential elements of good resume presentation that have been discussed earlier. Any novel approach you use must be intelligently planned with anticipation of the reader's reaction.
