We’re constantly being told to “think outside the box”, to “get creative” in job applications to stand out from the crowd. It’s no secret that HR Managers are usually inundated by hundreds of applications for every vacancy. It would therefore stand to reason that the more creative you get with your application, the higher your chances are of getting noticed and ultimately, getting hired? Maybe yes, maybe not.

You’ve probably read the success stories: the one who created an online resume in the mirror image of Airbnb’s website, the one who blogged her way into the job of her dreams, the one who applied for a position of their own creation, and more. These examples are certainly inspiring creative efforts, demonstrating both dedication and enthusiasm for the job and company.

But before you start racking your brain for ideas to catch your dream employer’s eye, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of taking the unconventional route before committing to it. As with most things in life, there are always two sides to every coin. What works for one might not work for another.

Pros

1. Personal

Creating a customised job application allows you to inject your personality into it in a myriad of ways. From the presentation format to design aesthetics, from the content to the communications approach — the execution of every aspect tells the hiring manager a lot about who you are and your problem-solving abilities.

2.    Specific

An unconventional job application allows you to identify specific aspects or issues of the job you feel you are uniquely qualified to contribute to. By creating a different format or medium for your CV, you have flexibility to highlight certain facts in a visually appealing manner compared to the standard word document.

3.    Original

Being original automatically makes you stand out from the pile of standard word doc resumes. It gives you an immediate advantage of being memorable and making an impression.

4.    Effective

Assuming you’ve done your research and put together a creative application in a manner that suits the job or company in question, it should prove particularly effective in getting your dream employer’s attention.

Cons

1. Time consuming

These individually crafted job applications typically involve time-consuming preparation and in-depth research, which means they can’t be replicated in a hurry. The amount of thought and planning that goes into it makes it unique, but therein lies the problem too.

2.    Suitability

The suitability of the application medium and delivery needs to be carefully considered to ensure the message isn’t interpreted in the wrong way. You wouldn’t want the hiring manager to think you’re being desperate or unprofessional.

3.    High investment

The high investment of time, energy and perhaps even money that goes into a single application will result in a huge disappointment if it fails to deliver the result you’re hoping for.

4.    High risk

If the job application isn’t done well, it could backfire on you in the worst possible way. For example, a video resume that’s not professionally produced will reflect badly on you. Similarly, if your proposed solution(s) aren’t well researched or justified, you might be highlighting your flaws rather than what you hope are invaluable skills to the company.

Our advice

• Only do it for specific jobs or companies that you’re confident of being uniquely qualified to contribute to.

• Get feedback from friends or professional contacts on your idea for the job application. It helps to get different perspectives before you commit to the idea.

• Show your application draft to a few hiring managers so you can fine-tune and tweak it as much as possible before putting the final touches to it.

• Get as much help as you can with it. You don’t have to do it all on your own. It needs to be as professionally and tastefully done as possible.

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