subject: Career Coach: Gimmickry Can Kill A Job Application [print this page] In today's highly competitive job market there is a great temptation to use gimmicks to make one's resume stand out from the crowd, particularly after a number of rejections.
Gimmickry should be avoided like the plague.
There are rare instances when gimmicks word, but most often that tactic backfires, making the resume stand out for all of the wrong reasons. Never the less, some candidates--especially those for entry and mid-level positions--try outlandish gimmicks.
"It's really disheartening when you send your resumes out and get nothing in return," says Cynthia Shapiro, a career coach for those searching for jobs. "It just makes people feel like they have to do something crazy to get noticed."
Here are some examples of the more off-the-wall gimmicks cited in a recent Wall Street Journal article.
A junior marketing professional attempted to send his resume by homing pigeon. The bird never returned.
In another instance, a resume was cut into pieces and enclosed in a Russian stacking doll.
An electronic key chain and note were attached to a resume, saying, "The only noise you'll hear out of me are the ones generated by this letter."
A candidate thought it was a good idea to bring a Rubik Cube to an interview to demonstrate problem-solving skills.
A job hunter dressed as a gorilla, accompanied by balloons, hand delivered his resume with a song explaining his qualifications. It is fairly common for an applicant to deliver a resume by hand, that tactic usually has a negative affect by conveying a sense of desperation.)
Some resumes include jokes, nutty photographs, "cute" gifts, or free tickets to ball games.
Slang or funky language and spelling are no-nos, as are industry and professional jargon. So are shorthand symbols and decorative symbols in emails.
Dale Winston, CEO of Battalia Winston International, an executive search firm once received a resume with two Pepto-Bismol tablets enclosed along with a note that read: "Among all the applicants I am the one who won't nauseate you. However, since I don't know how the rest of your day is going, accept some relief, compliments of me."
Job seekers sometimes will send their cover letter inside an unsealed envelope without a resume. The idea is to make it appear the resume fell out with the idea that the recruiter will reply by asking for a resume.
However, there are rare instances when creative tactics to grab attention are in order, such as advertising, public relations and marketing. But good taste as to subject matter is always required. Also, avoid costly gimmicks lest you appear to be attempting to bribe the recruiter.
It is far better, of course, to make one's cover letter and resume stand out from the crowd by simple, straightforward communications that present qualifications that "fit" the position.
Appropriate follow-ups to keep the application in the recruiter's mind are also highly desirable. The guidelines for cover letters and resume should also govern correspondence expressing appreciation for the opportunity to interview and state positive interest in the opportunity.
There was a time when snail mail was required for thank you notes, but emails are now acceptable., even preferred. Make messages concise and personalized. No "smiley faces." Texting, Facebook and MySpace are not to be used.
After all is said and done, it's really very simple. Jobs go to candidates who do the best job in convincing the recruiter that he or she can serve the needs of the employer, not who can be cleverest with gimmickry.
