In an industry like PR which relies heavily on creativity and lateral thinking you’re always encouraged to bring something new to the table. Starting with your CV. Creative CVs are the new black in the PR and advertising world. They give the employer a chance to see how you can express your skills and if your way of thinking matches the company’s. Now, it is not enough to write on your resume that you are a creative and imaginative person, you have to show it.
“CVs start to look the same after a while so it helps if you can distinguish yours with a little (but not over the top) design flare” (Creative Director at a visual communications agency)
A challenge before you’re even in the job. Or, you could always see it as an opportunity to showcase your skills in a new way. This will be your foot in the door, the thing that will set you apart from the other candidates. The way I see it, if you’re an advertising student it’s easier, you can keep a consistent visual style that matches the one of your portfolio, but as a PR student, you have to create a style from nothing. Here is where the research part comes in handy. Look at the company’s website and try to match their style, while bringing some of your own unique touches to the CV – because they want to see your personality not just a reflection of their design.
However, looking at the quote above, the question creeps up quickly in the back of my head – when is the design over the top? It may look fine to you, but maybe the employer has a totally different idea on visual style than you do. For instance, the picture below is an example of a creative CV – I really like the idea, but not so much the design. It’s too crowded and for me, so many colours just don’t do the trick, but maybe for an agency it’s perfect.
As with all CVs, this type of creative approach is a bit of a gamble. But, then again, you never know if you’re going to get the job, not even with a regular resume, so why not try a different approach?
danielaoana
