I had a high school history teacher who had been part of the admissions committee at holy cross. He was adamant that we should always include something that was weird and outlandish in any of our college applications. The example he gave was of the application that Holy Cross received, wherein the student, in "optional photo" pasted a photo of Rasputin.
The entire committee saw this, and each one individually blasted out the Holy Cross equivalent of "Jesus Christ on a Crutch! What the unholy fuck is up with this guy?!?"
But they all knew who he was when he came to interview, because they all really wanted to know what his deal was.
Turns out he was basically a really good kid, and a viable candidate. Grades were good enough, and he was generally qualified, otherwise... But not only that, he was known as "the Rasputin kid."
So they remembered him. And when it came time to making decisions, he had bookmarked his own place in their collective memories. "Oh, yeah, the Rasputin kid! I liked him."
I like it as a tactic, but also love the audacity of a high schooler quietly dismissing the groveling, desperate humility that most of us are told we must display to such committees.
The work gap answer: I'm not allowed to disclose that for contract reasons. Non compete.
Shuts em down every time.
I've never gotten a good job off my resume either...except for an offer to be a manager of a fine wine shop after 20 years of professional hospitality experience including being a chef owner of 2 bistros. Extensive chops like that in a gourmet shop You'll be PERFECY! with high end grab and go deli and I'd be required to do "some kitchen prep work"...huh? And all for $12/hr. 2pm-9pm hahahahaha. No tips! at 52 years old. Not enough scratch to hire a dog walker! I took a pass. I may have laughed a little. And maybe I told them that's what I started our dishwasher Fernando at in 2002, but thanks.
Finished the week from hell and just catching up on here. This is an awesome post, Kristi, and I LOVE this idea! I have zero desire to apply for another job anywhere unless I'm absolutely forced to and even then, no. The closest I've come to this in my 9-5 is writing fun & creative OOO replies.
🤔 I went through and shredded a bunch of old files yesterday (pay stubs, abandoned school applications) and was thinking about all the things I DIDN’T do in favor of that steady paycheck. It was a strange way of walking down memory lane.
Now I really want to write the stories that resume doesn’t tell. 😅 We are all SO MUCH more.
I really enjoyed this post and might take you up on the challenge when I need to look for a job in the future (or just as a fun post) I always wonder how to combine my weird combination of skills (obtained from working as a communication person at an orphanange in Asia, to a kindergarten principal and math teacher who is actually qualified as a PT) will be sure to let you know how it turns out.
Cheers to freelancing! Even on the worst days it beats corporate life. I’m so glad someone admits they too lied about their skill set. We all know we do it but no one says it out loud. Thank you, Kristi.
I have never looked at it this way before, a resume as a story. I write pretty boring ones. But this makes so much sense, it makes me want to read different variations of one persons career. Way better than anything ever written on Linkedin. 😁
I would love it if we didn't have to follow the same formula for submitting resumes and cover letter as everyone seems to insist on. It would be easier to demonstrate our unique qualifications for the jobs we apply for, if we have any.
I hear you David. I think cover letters are the only way to actually stand out. Society says resumes have to follow the format but cover letters are an opportunity to shine!
You’re right; we are.a lot of different people over the years, presenting ourselves separately for each role. This sounds like one of the most exciting challenges! I love it!! I’ve always considered myself to be the type who stays in a narrow lane, and never job-hops. Now about those three dozen jobs...
Kristi, I am truly honored by your shout-out. As someone whose work history includes assembling birth control pill packages in a plastic factory, piercing ears in a department store, and riding a brahma bull, a water buffalo, a camel and a very pissed-off llama in a theme park circus show, I salute your escape from corporate tedium. I did some time there too and while I appreciated the stability and physical safety, I was never, shall we say, a good corporate fit.
Great idea. I may just take you up on that.
If you do, I'd love to read it!
I had a high school history teacher who had been part of the admissions committee at holy cross. He was adamant that we should always include something that was weird and outlandish in any of our college applications. The example he gave was of the application that Holy Cross received, wherein the student, in "optional photo" pasted a photo of Rasputin.
The entire committee saw this, and each one individually blasted out the Holy Cross equivalent of "Jesus Christ on a Crutch! What the unholy fuck is up with this guy?!?"
But they all knew who he was when he came to interview, because they all really wanted to know what his deal was.
Turns out he was basically a really good kid, and a viable candidate. Grades were good enough, and he was generally qualified, otherwise... But not only that, he was known as "the Rasputin kid."
So they remembered him. And when it came time to making decisions, he had bookmarked his own place in their collective memories. "Oh, yeah, the Rasputin kid! I liked him."
Oh, yeah... That guy! I remember him...
And, he got in.
OMG that is brilliant! I love when people figure out a way to make themselves stand out in a crowd and be remembered! That's awesome!
I like it as a tactic, but also love the audacity of a high schooler quietly dismissing the groveling, desperate humility that most of us are told we must display to such committees.
“BUT IT’S YOUR FUTURE!”
The work gap answer: I'm not allowed to disclose that for contract reasons. Non compete.
Shuts em down every time.
I've never gotten a good job off my resume either...except for an offer to be a manager of a fine wine shop after 20 years of professional hospitality experience including being a chef owner of 2 bistros. Extensive chops like that in a gourmet shop You'll be PERFECY! with high end grab and go deli and I'd be required to do "some kitchen prep work"...huh? And all for $12/hr. 2pm-9pm hahahahaha. No tips! at 52 years old. Not enough scratch to hire a dog walker! I took a pass. I may have laughed a little. And maybe I told them that's what I started our dishwasher Fernando at in 2002, but thanks.
Finished the week from hell and just catching up on here. This is an awesome post, Kristi, and I LOVE this idea! I have zero desire to apply for another job anywhere unless I'm absolutely forced to and even then, no. The closest I've come to this in my 9-5 is writing fun & creative OOO replies.
"And even then, NO" 😂😂 I feel you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this!
🤔 I went through and shredded a bunch of old files yesterday (pay stubs, abandoned school applications) and was thinking about all the things I DIDN’T do in favor of that steady paycheck. It was a strange way of walking down memory lane.
Now I really want to write the stories that resume doesn’t tell. 😅 We are all SO MUCH more.
You nailed it. We are all so much more than our resumes!
I really enjoyed this post and might take you up on the challenge when I need to look for a job in the future (or just as a fun post) I always wonder how to combine my weird combination of skills (obtained from working as a communication person at an orphanange in Asia, to a kindergarten principal and math teacher who is actually qualified as a PT) will be sure to let you know how it turns out.
I'm glad you enjoyed this, Dorette. Sounds like your life resume would be an awesome story I'd read 😊
Cheers to freelancing! Even on the worst days it beats corporate life. I’m so glad someone admits they too lied about their skill set. We all know we do it but no one says it out loud. Thank you, Kristi.
I'll say almost anything out loud 😁😁
I have never looked at it this way before, a resume as a story. I write pretty boring ones. But this makes so much sense, it makes me want to read different variations of one persons career. Way better than anything ever written on Linkedin. 😁
I never looked at it this way either. I've always just been boring old resume-girl. She sounds like a super hero who doesn't deserve a cape 😂
I would love it if we didn't have to follow the same formula for submitting resumes and cover letter as everyone seems to insist on. It would be easier to demonstrate our unique qualifications for the jobs we apply for, if we have any.
I hear you David. I think cover letters are the only way to actually stand out. Society says resumes have to follow the format but cover letters are an opportunity to shine!
You’re right; we are.a lot of different people over the years, presenting ourselves separately for each role. This sounds like one of the most exciting challenges! I love it!! I’ve always considered myself to be the type who stays in a narrow lane, and never job-hops. Now about those three dozen jobs...
Hahaha, those three dozen jobs. But each of them are part of who you are!
Kristi, I am truly honored by your shout-out. As someone whose work history includes assembling birth control pill packages in a plastic factory, piercing ears in a department store, and riding a brahma bull, a water buffalo, a camel and a very pissed-off llama in a theme park circus show, I salute your escape from corporate tedium. I did some time there too and while I appreciated the stability and physical safety, I was never, shall we say, a good corporate fit.
Oh my God Jan, I don't think anyone will EVER see those words together in one paragraph ever again 🤣🤣
What the hell kind of life have you been living over there?? Your response is priceless!
It's amazing how normal I seem.
Lol that's your mystique 😁
No resume I’ve written has ever snagged me a job! Not one.
You must never have worked corporate 😂 They love the boring shit with keywords such as KPI and Performance.
I could never get hired at a corporation, unless you count newspapers, which you shouldn't because that's a weird world of its own.
Oh cover letters are a whole other ballgame! I've written some pretty interesting ones over the years lol.