50 Shades Of Resume #40: The Notebook

Resume 40

Brian Moose sent this resume to Pixar some years ago. Well, it’s a notebook that is a resume – you get the idea.

We’ve seen a book-as-resume idea here before, but Brian’s approach is to not make what looks to be a professionally published book, but instead a notebook. Yes, a hand-crafted notebook. He also sent it in a film case with a cover letter.

I think we just found our first artisanal resume. Brian isn’t someone who does things small or half-baked.

Now if you scan his Flickr site, whats telling is that despite this unusual and creative “handcrafted” approach, the book also contains appropriate information along with quotes, doodles, and so forth. Unusual take, unusual packaging, unusual delivery – with personally delivered vital information.

Let’s see what we can learn:

  • First off, this is a pretty gutsy resume period. It obviously took time and was lovingly made. That tells you a lot right there.
  • Oddly, I think its informal look is important. It could have been done very artsy and with perfect alignment and so forth – but that may have seemed pretentious. The unusualness of the resume is softened by the personal touch.
  • Despite the unusual idea, he really presented all the vital info – he just did it in a way that was more personal.
  • Throughout the resume-book there are little quotes pasted or taped in to show his thought processes. That’s a touch that shows who he is – but also keeps it from being too me-me-me. The latter is a threat when you do something this outrageous.
  • He goes on to include things about himself and his philosophy so you get an overall picture of him.

Critiques? Well, I don’t have many . . .

  • This is a real gamble resume, and it takes time to do. So if you try something like this, measure time and effect.
  • This is also a resume that will only work with people who’d appreciate it. Pixar, of course, is a good choice.

This is one of those truly unique resumes that is just what it is.

Steve’s Summary: I wish I’d see resumes like this, but I don’t work with artists as much. But if I did get it, I’d appreciate the effort and the personal touches – and the fact he packaged it so cleverly. It’s an attention getter, but isn’t in-your face. It’s more funny.

[“50 Shades of Resume” is an analysis of various interesting resumes to celebrate the launch of the second edition of my book “Fan To Pro” and to give our readers inspiration for their own unique creations.]

– Steven Savage