Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for recruiters to be inundated with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of resumes when trying to fill a position at a company. So, how can you (the job seeker) ensure that you get noticed out of the endless number of applicants? One of the best ways to connect with potential employers is through social media networks, but connecting sometimes isn’t enough. We will take a look at some of the creative ways that social media can be used to get your resume noticed.
Infographic Resume – Visual.ly turns your resume into an infographic with the click of a button. The site syncs with your LinkedIn data and compiles the information into a unique and eye-catching infographic resume that is sure to help you stand out in the crowd. Read more about Visual.ly infographic resumes here. Just imagine the “oohs” and “ahhs” that will come from the recruiters as they examine your artistic and unique CV.
Video Resume – Turn your resume into a short video clip that outlines your skill set and post it to YouTube. You might be surprised at the positive response. Don’t believe me? Back in the day, Dawn Siff posted a six-second video on Vine that ended up landing her a project manager position at the Economist Group, thanks to her creativity. It may not have been the actual six seconds of Dawn artistically stating her abilities that awarded her the job, but according to Dawn’s tumblr, the Economist Group was “impressed” by her unique approach to getting noticed. If you want to get noticed, then you have to be different! Don’t be afraid to get creative with your approaches, but please be sure that it is appropriate, genuine, a bit humorous, and to the point!
Expert Advice – A great way to gain online recognition is to lend your expertise to online communities by answering questions, offering advice, and posting blog posts pertaining to your area of expertise or industry. There are various sites for job seekers to build their online presences, such as Quora, where people from all industries interact through Q&A types of dialogue (much like an online forum) on topics ranging from everyday problems to intellectually stimulating conversations. A great way to highlight your proficiency in a particular field is to answer questions pertaining to your area of expertise. There are several other sites where a person can contribute their thoughts such as Reddit. The more advice you lend, the more popularity and credibility you gain within the community, which is a great way to showcase your skills to potential employers.
As with any document or correspondence that you send to potential employers, remember to always keep it professional, especially when you blend humor into the mix. Employers and recruiters are people just like you and me, so reach them on a “human level” first, because you want them to get a feel for you, the person. There’s a saying that may help you keep things in perspective when communicating to a potential employer, “People want to do business with people that they know, like, and trust.” Getting noticed during a job search takes more than just a stacked resume. Use your personality, credentials, and creativity to separate yourself from the competition. Happy hunting!
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