Sometimes I Go Big
As I checked my RSS aggregator this morning, I stumbled across this video (via kottke.org) about How Pixar Hires. I was so inspired and heartened by Randy Nelson’s description of Pixar’s four hiring criteria – depth, breadth, communication and collaboration – that, even though I am content in my position at the Museum, I immediately went over to Pixar’s website and applied to be their next Interaction Designer.
This is what I do.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this sort of spur-of-the-moment job application. The likelihood of actually getting a call back is slim, but there’s something in me that just has to go for it. The whole domain of resumes, job applications, interviews, and negotiations is so hush, hush. There’s some part of me that feels that it’s too much to reveal where I’ve applied and how. The heck with it!, I say. Here’s the evolution of my resume for the past seven years (click company names below for PDFs).
The Evolution of My Resume
From left to right, that’s a resume to Duke University (2002), Google (2005), Red Hat (2007), Channel Advisor (2007), The Museum of Life and Science (2008 ) and an IMLS grant (2009). The IMLS grant has yet to be determined and Google didn’t bite, but the rest resulted in job offers. Over the years I’ve also applied with variations of those resumes to Apple, The Motley Fool, NPR, REI, Netflix, MIT, nn/g and a handful of start-ups, agencies, universities and newspapers.
How do you roll?
- Even when you’re happy with your current role, when presented with an opportunity to dream big, do you go for it or talk yourself off the ledge?
- When applying for a job, do you aim to be different (a la my Google attempt) or more traditional (a la the IMLS grant)?
- If/and when you go big, do you tell others or keep it to yourself?
- How much time do you invest in the spur-of-the-moment application? How much time do you invest in something you are more likely to land?
February 9th, 2009 at 2:02 pm (#)
Becky I love your resumes – so creative and professional. Mine are always so much more formal, I envy your paperwork! Specially loving the Red Hat diagram – so much easier to look at; and the Channel Advisor intro.
Honestly I never think about whether it’s a Big role or not, I get excited by companies that look ambitious so they’re usually pretty special; and other than that all I really think about is – can I do this job? would I enjoy it? once past that stage I only ever get more excited about it, never nervous (tho I know that’s not the norm apparently!)
Sadly I don’t do anything exciting with my resume (or CV as we call them in England) except to make sure they are easy on the eye. Nothing worse than reams of drab dry text. So mine at least get good layout.
And I usually tell a few people – I’m too excited to keep it to myself.
I spend the same time on any application – I usually go off instinct so all applications start spur of the moment anyway, I don’t tend to weigh up decisions, the answers find me before I even know there’s a question so I have no weighing up to do! I try and leave things a day then come back to it to see if what I’ve written is rubbish though. And I think – if someone sent this to me, what would I think of it?
If get chance I’ll send you a recent resume – now I’m freelance I tailor them all to the tender and play up different attributes. So museum evaluation ones looks much less exciting than craft event management ones!
I don’t comment much on all your online stuff but I love reading it all and watching it play out – so thank you!
February 9th, 2009 at 2:35 pm (#)
Sally, thank you for your comment! Do you tweet or blog? I’d like to follow you back.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:10 pm (#)
yep here http://twitter.com/sallyent
February 9th, 2009 at 3:24 pm (#)
I always dream big, no matter my current role. This is so true that I think it’s a bit of a problem.
It depends on the job. With the support jobs I’ve been applying for recently, I aim for “different enough to stand out, but not to look egotistic.” That means that my resume is completely standard, but my cover letter might have a few bits in it that aren’t straightforward matching what I have to what they say in the ad.
I tend not to tell people if I get a little wacky in my cover letters, because I expect disapproval and I think it’s easier to be my funky self in the face of disapproval.
I invest less time when I’m more excited about a job, because it flows better. When I am applying for a job but really just want it for the money, it takes longer because I have to work to sound authentic.
This was a neat entry, and I enjoyed seeing your resumes. It’s stretched my mind a little regarding my own current job search.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:31 pm (#)
Shel – Thank you! On your answer to #1… me too.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pm (#)
Oh, and I meant “harder” to be my funky self and “egotistical” rather than egotistic. I am having a slow day, ouch.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:32 pm (#)
Neat blog and found your resumes as creative as I remember your work with me at PPI. I ran across this resume which I think you would also like: http://theportfolio.ofmichaelanderson.com/portfolio/resume-infographics/
February 10th, 2009 at 1:33 pm (#)
John, that resume is awesome. Great to hear from you!
February 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm (#)
I would show you my resume but it is a mind-numbingly boring academic-style CV. In Word, in Times New Roman. Yeah, I am not unique. I’ve come to accept it.
February 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pm (#)
You are an academic. It’s different (I think).
March 1st, 2009 at 4:57 pm (#)
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