by: Jamey Brown
Summer: a time of hot weather, flip-flops, grill outs and Hawaiian shirts (yes, I’m a Tommy Bahama wearer during the summer months.) Mainly, though, it is a time for college grads to get that first real-world job out of college. But what makes a college student stand out among the rest? How can he or she be the shooting star in the sea of “regulars?” Well, traditional Cover Letters, Resumes and Recommendations are always the right way to go, but today you need more – the basic trifecta is only the bare minimum now, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be angled for the creative good, especially with as many digital outlets as there are today – a huge one being Pinterest.
Pinterest, with the highest age demographic using the network being ages 25-34, is a visually based social network that capitalizes on users sharing visuals with one another, liking, commenting and re-pinning each other’s content during the process. So, how can this be harnessed to better a college graduates chances at getting a job? Well, first think of it as a more personal resume, with each pinboard acting as a different group that describes yourself. Secondly, be sure to keep in mind that using Pinterest in this way is using it as a tool, not a substitute. To use Pinterest as a personal resume means it is seen by interviewers as a third dimension to who you are – it hones in on the idea of transparency. Today, transparency is vital, and brands, businesses and organizations require it (and if they don’t, they should!). Using this visual network is a great way to let the interviewers in and see what you are about and see a side of yourself that they might not see otherwise. This being said, you better be ready to show it to them if you choose to do this.
The photo to the left is my personal Pinterest page, and granted I am not fresh out of college, I still have it set up to where people can come to my page and learn anything they want to about me – and I even have a section dedicated to visuals of myself in unique locations during my career. This visual storytelling is a great way for each interviewee to tell their story and show what they have done and where they have been. So whether you are fresh out of college and looking for work, or are older and looking for a new career path, give Pinterest a shot and use it as another tool in your job application arsenal.
