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Take Your Resumé to the Next Level
 

Edmundo Braverman's picture
ST
(Human, 14,330
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 8:34am
a-vayner-dancing.jpg

Guys, the following advice is going to be fraught with danger for many of you, so I want you to think long and hard about whether or not this is a good idea for you personally. There is huge (HUGE) Aleksey Vayner-level FAIL potential in this idea, so really give it a lot of thought before you execute. But maybe it's the thing that sets you apart from all your competition.

You've probably heard of vanity websites. You might know someone who has one or more, or you might even have one yourself. But have you ever thought about using one as a resumé enhancer? Lifehacker thinks that maybe you should.

Think about it: one of the first things HR is going to do is Google you. Wouldn't you rather drive the results of their search than whatever random forces might be out there posting pics of you doing naked keg stands? A well laid out vanity page might give you the space to expound on some of your stronger points that just won't fit on a one-page resumé.

If you're a student looking to land their first gig, Lifehacker recommends Seelio, and I have to admit that it looks like a pretty cool idea. It's a platform for showcasing some of your accomplishments and interests, and it gives you a lot more flexibility to sell yourself.

But a word of caution: you have to do this right if you're going to do it. The least little bit of douche, the smallest unbelievable embellishment, a photo of you that is the least bit unflattering, and you'll be internet famous in five seconds flat. We all remember the lightning speed with which Vayner's 11-page resumé and accompanying feature film burned up the web. Don't be that guy.

I think things like this will become more and more common in the near future, and it's definitely better than having a potential employer find your public Facebook profile. It's always better to present the story you want told about you than it is to leave that to chance.

But again, for the love of all that is good and Holy, be careful! I don't want to see anyone crater their career because they think they look dapper with a pipe and smoking jacket. Silly shit like that will get you eviscerated on Wall Street. If you're gonna do it, make sure you look as conformist as absolutely possible. The round hole of Wall Street doesn't take kindly to square pegs, if you know what I mean.

So what do you guys think? Good idea or no? Is anyone doing this? I think if it's done well and properly, it could really enhance your resumé. But I really did hesitate to mention it because there is so much potential to royally screw yourself. On balance, though, I think anything that makes it the least bit easier for HR to give you a "yes" is worth taking a chance on.

Tags:

Comments

WallStreetOasis.com's picture

I'd say the downside is

EN
(Human, 12,048
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 8:48am

I'd say the downside is slightly higher than the upside here, unless it is done tastefully ....

What I don't get is how is this any different from just having your resume & accomplishments publicly view-able on LinkedIn?

Isn't that a more "professional" / safer option?

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Edmundo Braverman's picture

LinkedIn lacks a certain

ST
(Human, 14,330
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 8:55am

LinkedIn lacks a certain "panache". If HR cruises your LinkedIn profile, they're probably not going to stop with that. If, however, you have an engaging vanity site with photos, videos where maybe you were interviewed, etc. it might be enough for HR to conclude that you're worth a callback. In other words, everyone's LinkedIn looks exactly the same.

But I agree, the downside potential is fucking enormous.

SpacemanSpiff's picture

I like Lifehacker but this

HF
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:17am

I like Lifehacker but this idea? Just say no.

oR3DL1N3o's picture

HAVE ONE/DONE IT. Employers

IB
(Orangutan, 319
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:24am

HAVE ONE/DONE IT. Employers actually dig it.

nycstateofmind's picture

Does HR actually Google

 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:27am

Does HR actually Google people? I hear this stuff all the time, but then bankers also tell me they get "stacks of resumes 3 feet high" so I doubt they have time to google all of them. This makes sense in the superday phase when you only have a handful of people, but at that point its mostly bankers doing it right?

mknight's picture

I think this sort of thing is

 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:45am

I think this sort of thing is appropriate if you're a talented musician, performer, photographer, sportsman etc. Then you can put your videos/photos of work out there as a sort of portfolio, otherwise I think it's still too unorthodox now.

I think if/when the time comes for firms to assess prospective employees at such a depth, they'll incorporate it into their application process. For example already there are many internships (in other industries) that ask you to add a brief video clip with the application to show more about yourself.

MiddleofNowhere's picture

oR3DL1N3o: HAVE ONE/DONE IT.

(Chimp, 15
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:45am
oR3DL1N3o:

HAVE ONE/DONE IT. Employers actually dig it.

Can you elaborate a little bit? What did you all put on it and how did it differ from your linkedin or resume?

West Coast rainmaker's picture

Lifehacker isn't targeting

ER
(Neanderthal, 2,071
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:57am

Lifehacker isn't targeting finance professionals here. I wouldn't do it.

I control HR's Google results by meticulously controlling my online presence. No Facebook or social media. No pictures.

samoanboy's picture

I'm not an American, so I'll

PE
(Gorilla, 505
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 9:59am

I'm not an American, so I'll probably have a different perspective.

DO NOT DO THIS.

It would be an automatic ding from me if some shitty little undergraduate has their own website advertising the fact that they can play the flute and once played the role of malvolio in the school play.

In the UK at least, you would come across as insanely arrogant or 'a total cunt' as we say in the industry.

nontargethustle's picture

I see the advantage this can

O
(Monkey, 52
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 11:54am

I see the advantage this can provide....but I can forsee someone way overdoing it and ending up on dealbreaker

sayandarula's picture

uhmm... so what you're saying

O
(King Kong, 1,812
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 12:35pm

uhmm... so what you're saying is: i SHOULD create a website that prominently displays me flexing in my p90x "before" pictures?

yes.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?

R0bin's picture

mknight: I think this sort of

(Orangutan, 291
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 12:33pm
mknight:

I think this sort of thing is appropriate if you're a talented musician, performer, photographer, sportsman etc. Then you can put your videos/photos of work out there as a sort of portfolio, otherwise I think it's still too unorthodox now.

Baby you're the perfect shape, baby you're the perfect weight. Treat me like my birthday, I want it this way and I want it that way. It makes a man feel good baby.

sayandarula's picture

R0bin: mknight: I think

O
(King Kong, 1,812
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 12:41pm
R0bin:
mknight:

I think this sort of thing is appropriate if you're a talented musician, performer, photographer, sportsman etc. Then you can put your videos/photos of work out there as a sort of portfolio, otherwise I think it's still too unorthodox now.

agreed. also maybe if you were a graduate student, i've seen a lot of those.

i'm having a really hard time imagining how the most of us would create a personal website and NOT come off toolish.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?

Kevlarji's picture

Anyone watch how I met your

(Chimp, 6
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 1:44pm

Anyone watch how I met your mother?

Video Resumes haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmYEahxWDyA

Febreeze's picture

Something like this, you

(King Kong, 1,151
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 5:51pm

Something like this, you mean?

http://mattmartin4u.wordpress.com/

RIP WSO Chat.

Febreeze's picture

West Coast rainmaker: I

(King Kong, 1,151
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 6:23pm

RIP WSO Chat.

sayandarula's picture

Febreeze: Something like

O
(King Kong, 1,812
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 6:06pm

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?

Febreeze's picture

sayandarula: Febreeze: Some

(King Kong, 1,151
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 6:09pm

RIP WSO Chat.

Edmundo Braverman's picture

Febreeze: sayandarula: Fe

ST
(Human, 14,330
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 7:04pm

Dreamgazing's picture

Febreeze: Something like

(Baboon, 162
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 8:42pm
TexasTim's picture

LinkedIn has applications for

(Baboon, 101
 
Points)
 on 8/28/12 at 11:34pm

There is life and death. I'm going to bust my ass to make an impact 'til the latter comes.

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