Resumes Are a lot Like Halloween Costumes

Every year on Halloween I always take note of the kids who have the most unique costumes. Usually they are home made and obviously required a lot of thought, time, and effort. They are memorable because they are creative, they make as laugh, they make us scream, or they even make us think.

Resumes are a lot like Halloween costumes. The best resumes, like the best costumes, are not what we expect. They challenge the senses and the mind. They make us think "Wow, this is someone I need to know" or "Maybe this person can help solve my company's problems." They invite conversation, inquiry, and perhaps even debate.

So who are you on your resume? Is your persona "off the shelf" and do you look like so many of your competitors, or are you different, exciting, and "custom made"?