really ugly resumes

ReallyUglyRésumés@jessedee

Updated Version

Sometimes, just for fun I walk over to HR and have a peek at the résumés people send in.

Sometimes, just for fun I walk over to HR and have a peek at the résumés people send in.

Let me tell you it ain’t pretty.

About were made using a Word template with (and here’s the kicker)

90% Times New Roman size 12 font.

About were made using a Word template with (and here’s the kicker)

This makes me feel incredibly sad.

90% Times New Roman size 12 font.

The person you’re trying to reach is probably:

busy

Lesson 101:

bored overwhelmedrushedthinking about lunch

etc.

Kudos to Microsoft for taking us this far, but if you want to make it to the top of the pile

you better put a bit more effort into it.

In a time where people are going to Google you, do you

have more than just that boring paper résumé?

There’s a shift in advertising today.

Blentec - Will It Blend? Old Spice - The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Smart brands know that they have to sell you much more than bene"ts, they have to sell you an experience.

huge

There’s a shift in advertising today.

Blentec - Will It Blend? Old Spice - The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Smart brands know that they have to sell you much more than bene"ts, they have to sell you an experience.

huge

And why shouldn’t your job pitch do the same?

“What chance is there that your totally average résumé, describing a totally average academic and work career is going to get you most jobs?

"Hey Bill! Check out this average guy

with an average academic background

and really exceptionally average work

experience! Maybe he's cheap!!"

Do you hire people that way? Do you choose products that way? If you're driving a Chevy Cavalier

and working for the Social Security Administration, perhaps,

but those days are long gone.

”People are buying only

one thing from you:The way the engagement

(hiring you, working with you, dating you, using your product or service, learning from you)

makes them feel.

So how do you make people feel?

-Seth Godin (smart guy)

“This is controversial, but here goes: I think if

you're remarkable, amazing or just plain

spectacular, you probably shouldn't

have a résumé at all.”

I agree, but...

web designers have portfolios, directors have show reels,

models have books,Seth has a website.

web designers have portfolios, directors have show reels,

models have books,Seth has a website.

Why shouldn’t you showcase your work and make it easier for people to share your story?

If you work in an office (like most people) what tools do you have to tell your story, showcase your work and create a résumé

that will knock the socks off the people you want to work with?

so I asked myself:

The dreaded presentation softwareYes!

Why not create a résumé speci"cally

for slideshare?

reasons a résumé can help you stand out

10

1-5Slideshare is one of the biggest most vibrant business communities online today

Super easy to share your presentation (privately or publicly)

Works on every computer or mobile device

Nothing to download

Embeds nicely in Facebook, LinkedIn & Blogs

6-10People can comment and recommend you

Allows you to tell your story visually and gives life to otherwise boring bullet points

If you get lots of views, you’re in high demand buddy!

Gives the person you’re trying to reach a break from the mundane

Indexes beautifully in Google

It’s a crazy idea, but putting yourself out there and making it easy for

people to spread your story (or ideas) is the name of the game now.

Ok hotshot, what would your ‘slideshare résumé’ look like?

A little something like this:

Designer / Consultant / SpeakerJesse Desjardins

@jessedee

The basics:

Jesse Desjardins (pronounced: day zhar dan)

Full name: Age: Nationality:

Languages:Current location:

28

French & EnglishToronto, Canada

Canadian

I was born in Canada.

1982

I went to Ryerson University for Marketing Management

2000

2001

9 years later we’re still working together.

I worked with one of the best direct response marketers in the US.

I found myself backpacking in the Fiji islands where I connected with a tech company from Australia

2006

2 days later I was on a flight to Sydney

The first product I designed was a community for travelers. To this day it remains the best place for young travelers to find work, buy things and connect.

I created the marketing and packaging.

We then launched our own mobile product.

2009

Being at the forefront of travel and social media I also spoke at conferences around the world

on behalf of the company.

2009

That year my work took me around the world

I then took a 6 month contract to work in Paris at an ad agency setting up an online community for artists.

2010

Today I’m consulting and designing for a handful of really great people.

2010

My latest project was for the tourism industry in South Africa.

2011

I’m currently back home in Toronto where I’m working on what will be an epic 2011.

If you’re interested in working together, or just want to say hi find me on:

@jessedeeTwitter:

JesseDesjardins.comsite:

THANKS!slideshare.net/GlobalGossipslideshare:

There’s no need to showboat or be over the top with your résumé.

Slideshare is just one way, but there are many, many more.

Something short, sweet and simple will do.

Sure some people might think i’m degrading

the sacred all mighty résumés tradition...

and some might not want you to stand out so much, but really... are those the people you really want to work with?

Times New Roman 12 just isn’t good enough anymore.

Face it, it’s tough out there.

-Seth Godin(I told you he was smart)

The only people who get paid enough, get paid what they’re worth are people who don't follow the instruction book, who create art, who are innovative, who work without a map. That option is now available to everyone so take it.

So go on tiger,time for that phone to ring

@JESSEDEEtHANKS!

photo credits: flickr/superbomba

UPDATE:

UPDATE:In 60 days this presentation received 30,000 views

UPDATE:In 60 days this presentation received 30,000 views

It was featured on 2 major blogs and around 70% of the comments were negative

UPDATE:In 60 days this presentation received 30,000 views

It was featured on 2 major blogs and around 70% of the comments were negative

But more importantly, I received plenty of requests for new work and connected with some amazing people

But my favorite is that while I was in Cape Town, Mariska drove an hour to find me to say that she created a visual C.V. after being inspired by this presentation and got a bursary to attend university.

But my favorite is that while I was in Cape Town, Mariska drove an hour to find me to say that she created a visual C.V. after being inspired by this presentation and got a bursary to attend university.

This made it all worthwhile.