Anique Gonzalez, a writer for resume services Legal Authority and Attorney Resume, advises, "If you do decide to use a nontraditional resume, you must keep in mind that although it may stand out to some employers, demonstrating one's innovation and creativity, other more conservative employers may desire a traditional cover letter and resume and will discard it without even looking at it. You need to understand that you are taking a risk by going against the grain. While it may stand out in a good way, it can also stand out in a bad way."
Although Vayner's experience ended in horrific humiliation, some wacky concepts can be successful. Take, for example, the case of now 28-year-old Peter Shankman. According to The Wall Street Journal, Shankman wanted a public realtions job in the New York City area, but he did not want to send out reams of resumes and cover letters. Using his keen instinct and publicity skills, Shankman had his resume printed on two four-foot by three-foot poster boards and sandwiched himself between them; he then stood on a corner in Manhattan from 6:00 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., handing out 1,000 resumes. After receiving 200 phone calls, 45 interviews, and 20 job offers, Shankman took a position as Director of New Media for the New Jersey Devils hockey team. Shankman thinks his tactic worked well because employers were able to see and meet him before they even read his resume. "At least they could see I was a nice nutcase," he explained. He was also dressed in a business suit and overcoat that day. His personality and demeanor, combined with his professional manner and inventiveness, are probably the reasons he received such an enthusiastic response.
Job seekers need to make sure they are in tune with what will be a hit with employers and what will turn them off. It should be a rule of thumb to only send "risky" resumes to companies at which applicants have already established personal or professional connections or when applicants are very aware of how employers will respond to outlandish antics; otherwise, why risk it? If you're trying to land a job that you genuinely want, it is better to be safe than it is to be sorry. Above all, use your best judgment when it comes to conveying who you are as a person and the potential and skills you have to offer as a professional.
See 6 Things Attorneys and Law Students Need to Remove from Their Resumes ASAP If They Want to Get Jobs with the Most Prestigious Law Firms for more information.
