Hey Creatives, Tell Us a Story
A Few Pointers from an Interviewer
“I’m one of the most positive people you’ll ever meet, but I’m going to start our conversation with a perceived negative. I’ve failed a few “amazing” students, fired strategists, designers, developers, one special needs production artist, and I’ve even managed a “real life” sex scandal (“G” rated details in person).”
The previous paragraph is taken from my recent cover letter. Every word true. Every word written with intent. Every word the beginning of a deeper story.
When your journey to impress a hiring manager, team, or new employer begins, you need to make the most of every encounter. Stand out from the crowd. From the cover letter, to the resume. From the words you speak, to the clothes you wear. All are telling a story. If your resume qualifies, you’ll get a call. However if your resume compels, you’ll gain an audience.
1. The Smoking Gun
Bullets, meh. A resume full of bullet points is a great tool for scanning, but doesn’t tell the best story about you. A well crafted, business and solutions focused description of your experiences begin to paint a picture that engages your interviewer and demonstrates more than creative skills. Keep it brief and imagine we are talking on the phone or meeting in a bar. Then proceed to “tell us” about what you did on previous projects and organizations. It may take a few passes to edit the content down to a manageable word count, but take your time and make it memorable. Not only does this create a unique lens in which to look at your accomplishments through, it will also help you build up your personal confidence.
2. Stand Out
Look at your competition. Research other resumes. Identify aspects of your own background that could be a key differentiator. If you’ve been designing digital and mobile for the last few years, don’t only discuss the creative work you’ve done, also highlight the strategy sessions you sat in on. Outline your role in high level projects that demonstrate your familiarity with the C Level. Speak about how you’ve trained, mentored, or led team based projects. Also help us understand where you want to go. As a creative, your portfolio shows you have the design chops, but your resume is a great opportunity for you to give us a glimpse into how you fit into a business environment. Remember, an interview is a two sided coin. Use the time to make certain you want to work with the people and the company you are interviewing with. Demonstrating that you aren’t just here for “a job” is a great way to stand out.
3. Look the Part
Looking professional and clean is necessary, but I would encourage you to be yourself (within reason). Tattoos are fine, but be careful how many you showcase on day one. However if it is part of who you are, you may want to go ahead and peek-a-boo a couple so that your interviewer understands you. Yes it is a gamble, but you should want to work for and be in an atmosphere that embraces everything that makes you unique. Try to find opportunities where you can contribute to the team, culture, and process that doesn’t require you to compromise who you are. If you want to be more professional, no problem, but please, oh please do not show up for an interview in the black “I’m here for an interview suit” unless it is bespoke, cut by Ted Baker, and how you dress on the regular. Swag speaks louder than words. I’m just sayin’.
4. Talk, Chit Chat, Holla…Say Something!
How many people do you know that were educated in one field, yet have a job in another. Recently we hired a political science major for a design position. I have a family member who is a VP of finance for a major car company and he majored in communications and played football. How does that happen? Not every creative is hired because of their portfolio, list of apps, or demo reel. They are being hired because of who they are and what they share during the interviewing process. Tell it! Hiring smart, highly capable, thoughtful people is what is en vogue today, not just snazzy resume and book of work. Be sure you come in and help us understand how capable and talented you are. Talk to us. Ask the questions that are relevant to you. Let’s talk about why you are here. Your motivations, your failures, your vision. Be ready to share why you think you’d add value to a team. Now is the time for you to be honest, be transparent, be you.
So with that, I encourage you to think of yourselves as the main character in your personal story. Captivate, entertain, and educate us with the story of you.
Cheers.
Corwin