Standing out in a crowded job market can be tough. Some job seekers go to great lengths to get companies to notice them. From dressing up as Batman to creating a video resume complete with music and dancing, there are many job search tactics hopeful candidates have used to get the attention of the company they want to work for as it engages in its resume search. But the question remains: is this a good strategy or something job seekers should avoid?
Understand Your Target Companies
Job seekers looking for work in a traditional field, or at firms that deal with traditional-minded clients, should reign in their impulses to get attention through wacky antics. Using these tactics is likely to show hiring managers a lot about a candidate’s personality, and if the organization needs someone who can show up to work every day in a suit and conduct serious meetings, they may not be interested in someone who creates a viral video or encloses glitter with a resume. Unconventional strategies are bound to get attention, but it’s important to understand that attention can be a negative thing.
On the other hand, candidates looking for work with quirky startups might benefit from a well-planned stunt or two. Companies looking for people who innovate and push boundaries may appreciate a candidate who does just that during the recruitment process. While nothing can replace a solid set of skills and a good work background, gimmicks may bring a candidate to the top of the pile in some situations.
Consider More Subtle Ways to Stand Out
It can be fun and sometimes effective to try to stand out in the job market. However, there are ways to do so that are less intrusive than full-body costuming. Particularly in creative fields like design and marketing, a graphically engaging resume can help a candidate stand out. Of course, it’s necessary to put effort into a resume as well as a skill set. Job seekers should tailor their resumes to the positions they desire, and if these happen to involve a high level of creativity, the resume should be creative as well.
May the Best Skills Win
For all positions, it’s more worthwhile to develop a set of solid skills rather than investing time in using gimmicks to get hired. Great skills are more attractive to employers than even the most clever of extreme job search tactics.
