Alternatives: Video Resume, Brochure Resume, Personal Website Portfolio, Chat Sessions, Power Point CV

Keywords: Job Hunting, Resume Writing, Resume Example, CV Sample, Free Resume Help, How To Resume, Professional Resume, Format

Have you been writing your resume and wondering how you can really make it stand out? Some might format it with their best picture, and others might highlight certain spots. But one isn’t limited to paper as this is the age of the internet - websites, streaming video, chat utilities etc. Just think out of the box - and use all of the resources available today to customize and offer your prospective employers an alternative resume,

one that showcases your creativity. Below are a few unconventional resume examples and ideas to get you started:

Video Resume

The video resume, prominently launched by Yale graduate Aleksey Vayner, is just beginning to take off with less than 2000 resumes posted on YouTube. Although still nascent, the big job boards online are already developing technologies to support the format; Vault.com, SwapJobs, and even Jobster along with popular social network Facebook. Although the video resume has its share of criticism, others laud it as the ticket for those who want to showcase a unique skill set, out-of-the-box creativity, or just to show the hiring manager who they’re looking at without having to see them in person.

According to Doug McPherson, the Jobs writer for Post News, the video resume is essentially an elevator speech; "Jobseekers should use their video time - 90 seconds - to highlight experience, detail some actual examples of previous on-the-job successes and emphasize qualities that fit employers’ needs. If you happen to have footage of yourself performing a job that is particularly visual, such as leading a seminar, conducting a meeting or even being presented an award, consider adding it. And you may want to use charts and graphs to drive home points related to your accomplishments."

A free place to post your video is YouTube.

According to Time Magazine, the following is an example of a good video resume:

Brochure Resume

A brochure resume is familiar to hiring managers as it resembles corporate stationary and print collateral they likely already have, and can be made by anyone spending some time at Kinko’s. Although mostly suited for professional consultants and executives, this can be a format for anyone that wants to demonstrate their marketing and design skills. A good brochure design might include a tri-fold or a standard tabloid layout, along with pockets in the brochure sleeves. This gives the job candidate the added option to tuck away some informational handouts relative to his or her qualifications as well as perhaps a business card. Each handout could showcase an individual resume category, i.e. job skills, education experience, job experience, accolades etc., allowing the hiring manager to pull out exactly what he or she might be interested in.

See possible designs below:

Personal Website Resume

A personal website serves candidates in technology considerably well as the chances of it being viewed by your prospect are high. However, your chances are even better of it being viewed by a much larger audience as visitors email it around. A website resume often times functions as a digital portfolio of your achievements and can be infinite in the amount of video, graphics and copy displayed. Web designers, graphic artists and illustrators commonly use online portfolios to showcase their design work, often linking out to other resources and information.

Although this format gives a job candidate a workspace to showcase creativity unbounded, it also provides one a bit more power via information. Websites are no longer static formats like they once were, but now provide functional uses. Some of the uses employed are statistics driven by visitors, referrals, etc and are reported by tools such as Google Analytics. These statistics can empower the website operator with the knowledge of who might be visiting and where they might have come from. It also can also provide a point of communication for which an employer may immediately reach you.

A good example of a personal web portfolio is A Blue Era, at abluera.com.

A free place to start your web development is Google Pages.

Power Point Resume CV

Build your resume/CV in Power Point! If you don’t have access to a web server, a video camera, etc., use what you do have. If you have Microsoft Office, you likely have Power Point and by using Power Point, you still have the ability to showcase your talent and creativity as well as your proficiency in office software, virtually mandatory in today’s world. Additionally, a Power Point Resume Presentation can go with you to your interview to add a different dynamic to your meeting.

Video Chat

Also in its nascent stage, Video Chat is a tool one can use in addition to their resume, digital portfolio, etc. Video Chat is essentially a live chat tool common among instant messenger utilities providing a platform by which you can communicate with employers. On your resume, let them know that they are welcome to schedule a video chat with you on their preferred platform. It might just get you in the door for thinking out of the box!

Final Word

Alternative resumes can be worth creating as they show prospective employers much more about the candidate, particularly the creative thinking skills used to produce and write the resume. However, never make this your only format available as not all employers will have the ability to view it. Be sure to offer a prospective employer a traditional resume along with your alternative to maximize your effort. Remember, employers are always looking for the best and brightest, so use your imagination to showcase your talent.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm and is filed under Resume Help. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.