3 Ways to Get Creative in Your Job Applications

3 Ways to Get Creative in Your Job Applications 3 Ways to Get Creative in Your Job Applications Here are three ideas to get creative in your job applications to encourage companies to focus on you rather than your stunt. Tell a Story Who doesn’t love an engaging, well-told story? Instead of rehashing resume info in your cover letter, use the space to describe a real-life situation in which your talents made a difference. This strategy, turning your accomplishments into stories, can likewise be employed during interviews to bring your qualifications to life in a concrete, memorable way. “Stories spark curiosity and interest rather than the urge to evaluate or criticize,” says Paul Smith, author of Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives That Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. “They make you a more engaging, likable person- the kind of person other people want to work with.” Let Others Toot Your Horn Pull out that sparkling thank-you note from a satisfied client or the awesome performance review given by a past employer and incorporate it into your application material. Whether you provide direct quotes within your cover letter or create a “what others are saying” page, testimony and examples from people who can vouch for your value adds more weight than simply self-professing to be “talented” or “hard-working.” Wow Them with Technology You’ll look very 21st-century when you bring your application to life by going beyond just a cover letter and resume. Some options to consider include: A one-minute video that summarizes your qualifications or adds an interesting (and relevant) tidbit not found elsewhere A webpage highlighting who you are and what you do, as well as examples of your work (or links to places it can be seen) A chart, Prezi, or other visual incorporating keywords from the job ad matched with examples from your background An interactive timeline (such as Tiki-Toki) of your work history that allows users to click on experiences about which they’d like to learn more The bottom line when it comes to creativity in job applications: there are plenty of exciting, professional tactics for presenting yourself, so don’t let attention-getting efforts overshadow your ultimate purpose- showing that you’re the right person to hire. Readers, how do you get creative in your job applications? What has worked for you? Share with us in the comment section below!