A resume is identified as a document used by individuals to present their background and skill sets. Typically, a resume contains a summary of relevant work experience and education, formatted professionally and presented directly. Essentially, a resume is a piece of paper that seeks to define a person as an argument defending their qualifications for the applied to position. It makes sense that a resume be allowed a certain amount of creative freedom. If the person applying to said position is creative, or if the position itself requires a bit of creative thinking, then why not present a creative resume? As technology advances and the definition of professionalism expands, more and more resumes are being presented as creative pieces. Here are a few things to consider when on either side of resume presentation.

When Creating a Resume

    Make sure your resume finds a middle ground between presenting your skills and appealing to your future employers. If you are applying to be a banker, for instance, a no-frills resume typed in “Times New Roman” is probably your best bet. However, if you’re seeking a position the requires creative and abstract thought, feel free to express yourself artistically. If the prospect reading your resume doesn’t appreciate your creative flair, chances are it’s best you shouldn’t be working for them in the first place. Below are a few tips to help get you started:

1. Be graphic. An infographic is a great design choice when applying for any creative position. They are interesting, factual, and will set you apart from most other applicants. Take a look at this example. Infographic
2. Match your style to your personality. If you work best under deadlines, work that in to the visual aesthetic of your resume. If you work better in an open schedule, represent that in the same way. Here is a great example to consider. Design and style
3. Add subtle flair. Many businesses now accept PDF resumes instead of hard copies. Take a look at this example of adding creativity while expressing aptitude: Flair

When Reading a Creative Resume

What qualities do you look for in a candidate? Creativity? The ability to think outside the box? Brains? These are all traits that can be communicated in a creative resume. Don’t turn a blind eye to an applicant who turns something in that doesn’t fit your traditional view of an application. Instead, keep an open mind to expanding your view of what a resume should look like. Chances are if someone turns in a well-done creative resume, they could be exactly what your business needs.

Job seekers will constantly find new ways to set themselves apart from the crowd. A creative resume is a great way to do so, as it allows the applicant the opportunity to develop his or her own standard as it relates to the job wanted. Keeping an open mind when creating and critiquing a resume is the best way to screen highly qualified and effective candidates.

Big Internet news this week: ICANN, the group that manages the allocation of domain names and IP addresses, announced it would allow virtually any word to become a top-level domain (TLD).

Among the 22 TLDs available today, the most common is .com. Soon we could see a flood of new TLDs — generic or branded — such as .apple, .salad, .panama, or .nike.

“ICANN has opened the Internet’s naming system to unleash the global human imagination. Today’s decision respects the rights of groups to make new Top Level Domains in any language or script,” said Rod Beckstrom, president and CEO of ICANN, in a statement on the organization’s website. “We hope this allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind.”

In the near term, most commentators believe the change will better serve large corporations, who will rush to apply for a branded TLD and won’t balk at the $185,000 application fee.

In addition to that rather large barrier to entry, the new naming change comes with some other fine print: ICANN warns would-be domain squatters and impostors that the application process will take several months and depending on the requested name, may be reviewed governmental agencies the U.S. and abroad. Applicants for new TLDs will have to show a reasonable claim to the name they are buying.

Maybe you’re wondering: who’s ICANN and what gives them the power to institute this change?

ICANN — officially known as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers — is a private non-profit that is under contract by the U.S. Department of Commerce to manage the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.

Learn more: http://www.icann.org/