CVs can be a graveyard for your detailed achievements, with identical, uninspiring replicas pouring into HR inboxes once a job is listed. Not everyone conforms, though.
Catching the eye of a recruiter is a priority for jobseekers, be they out of work or looking for a change. But how can you stand out from a crowd, and still get your skills and experience across?
It’s certainly not easy, though it is possible, to get a bit creative with your marketing – and a CV is the most personal of marketing, after all.
Rather than the standard dated document, with text only livened up by sub-heads and bullet points, in recent years infographics, videos and even Snapchats have emerged as alternative CV templates.
Graphic designers on point
When CVs work, they settle you into a relationship that may prosper. When they don’t, you fall into insignificance in the eyes of the employer.
Marrying creativity and actual valuable content is the tricky part, with the need to include relevant skills of the utmost importance.
It seems that graphic design is the industry most in tune with creative CVs, with online portfolios simply not enough when you compete for your dream job alongside innovative, crafty people.
The truth is, no matter what the industry, presenting yourself to HR staff in way that is as noticeable as possible is likely a good thing.
Below are 10 creative approaches people used to get work, ranging from billboards and videos, to chocolate and illustrations.
Jobless Paddy was a campaign set up by unemployed commerce graduate Féilim Mac An Iomaire back in 2011. Having saved up enough for two weeks’ worth of billboard space on Merrion Road, Mac An Iomaire gambled big, and it paid off. Before the billboard came down, he had job offers pouring in.
Rob Jervis was looking for a new way to present his CV and, as he was a chocolatier on the side, this tasty idea was borne. “I handed them to numerous companies across London, all to great response, I landed a two week placement at LFH (now Illumination) and, subsequently, a full-time junior design role,” he said.
Redditer itsnickk went very millennial when he created this CV out of emoji
There are plenty of infographic examples doing the rounds, though this simple black-and-white CV from Gary Corr is one of the better ones. Printed out and delivered as cards, it looks really effective.
The ‘Game of Design’ was developed as a self-promotional piece for Jenny Johns, who included die, cards and a rules booklet. “Intended to showcase part of my design philosophy, the goal of the game is to collect all four cards that are required in order to produce a successful design,” she said.
If you’re applying for a job you should always tailor your CV accordingly. So, if you want a job in Google…
Every HR recruiter was a child once…
Robby Leonardi’s interactive CV (click here) is the best of the bunch. The effort that went in appears immense and shows just how talented he is at design, coding and animation. If this doesn’t catch the eye, nothing will.
Main creativity image via Shutterstock
