Your Alternate Resume

http://www.onesock.net/2010/05/27/alternate-resume/

by blewis • 16 years ago

16 8 16 years ago

onesock.net

alttab• 16 years ago

This is akin to "not taking yourself too seriously" and through empirical data I would say that it works.

Exposing yourself has always been part of the process of making a connection and building trust.

culled• 16 years ago

What empirical data do you have on that?

chime• 16 years ago

I already do have an alternative resume. It's my blog. Recruiters and HR people usually end up on it and many have written me personally to comment on something I wrote long ago. It works just like you describe but it is more descriptive of my true self than some quirks or characteristics. People remember me, but not because I passingly mentioned that I was training for an ultramarathon but because I wrote a 4 page blog entry sharing my experience as a first-time runner.

Also, there could be legal ramifications for companies who read things like skin color on alt. resumes. A hiring manager would rather not know your race or age till after they've selected or dropped your resume for the phone interview round.

edw519• 16 years ago

http://news.ycombinator.com/threads?id=edw519 is my alternate resume. I share it with all prospective customers and employers. This accomplishes several things:

- It demonstrates my passion for programming, whether or not it's work related.

- It gives them a chance to get to know me a little better through stuff that would never be found on a resume.

- It shows that I'm not bashful when it comes to sharing what I've learned.

- It (hopefully) demonstrates that I'm willing to listen and learn from others.

- It (hopefully) demonstrates that I've accumulated at least a little wisdom over the years.

- They may actually find a comment I've made about an issue near and dear to them. This may give me an extra boost.

- It keeps me honest and encourages me to "play nice". I always have to consider what a prospective customer would think before I hit "add comment".

iaskwhy• 16 years ago

That logo needs to be in png format. That's me, looking for the details all the time.

matthias• 16 years ago

While certainly candid, I think that these examples fall down flat as they don't stimulate discussion. I think if you want to be memorable, just write a short section called "Ask Me About" at the end of your (1 sided!) resume. For example, 1. I submitted a patent application for a consumer electronics product that was rejected. or 2. I am very curious about new webapps and keenly participate in beta programmes. Either of these are very easy for an interviewer to ask about and I find much more useful than "President of University Chess Society" type info.

jessor• 16 years ago

That' a great tip, thank you.

balding_n_tired• 16 years ago

I don't think our IT department would go for it.

Your Alternate Resume

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