Just when we think we’ve seen it all, creative job-seekers find new ways to use today’s technologies to make their applications stand out from the pack.
This one came in an especially surprising form: a Snapchat “my story.” While Snapchat is arguably one of the more unprofessional of social networks, Elski Felson decided to use it to his advantage when applying to a job at the company.
Using the short video clips available on the service, Felson goes line by line through what Snapchat was looking for in a candidate, showing (mostly humorously) why he’s the right guy for the job, and then wraps up by reiterating his enthusiasm for the company and giving his contact info.
Check it out yourself:
Felson made a smart choice here: Not only will a resume like this help him stand out, it shows his enthusiasm for the company he’s applying to and his love and understanding of its product. And while some of his jokes may have been a bit unprofessional (we definitely wouldn’t recommend any potty humor or comments on your booze intake in a job application), the video definitely shows his personality—an important aspect for many startups as they consider whether candidates would be a culture fit.
One problem with the video, however, is that it didn’t actually share any of the credentials that Felson would bring to the job—which could explain why, according to Business Insider, he has yet to hear from the company. That being said, if this were accompanied by an actual resume, it could do wonders to get him to the top of the pack.
So what can the rest of us learn from this? Using Snapchat in your job applications probably wouldn’t work unless, well, you were applying to Snapchat, but looking for creative ways to use a company’s product to supplement your application materials can definitely give you a leg up.
Want more thoughts on submitting creative applications? Check out Sara McCord’s advice on what not to do.