Try to Look Beyond the Résumé

The Industry Standard, an Internet business magazine, recently ran an article about a young college graduate in Texas who was looking for a job at a Web site.

Her résumé didn’t do justice in describing her talents, so she walked in the door of a local Internet company in a different costume each day. One day, she wore designer clothes, making the point that she thought the Web site should add a fashion section. Another day, she wore a football uniform, representing her interest in adding sports online. A third day, she dressed like the sun—reflecting what she felt was the importance of adding a weather report to the site’s repertoire.

She got the job. It’s a good reminder for you as a job seeker to try to use creative means, whatever they may be, to show what you’ve accomplished, beyond just what you can show with your résumé.

It’s also a good reminder for those doing the hiring not to get too caught up in an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of paper, and to do what you can to stimulate the creativity of job applicants, just as you stimulate the creativity of your employees.

SOURCE: The Industry Standard, August 16-23, 1999.