From now on, when people ask what I do, I’m going to give them the literal answer.
I’m a Service Customer Experience Content Design Development Product Data Research Business Analysis Marketing Sales Support Operations Owner Manager Director Executive Founder Neighbor Friend Husband Dad.
If they ask for my resume, its 43 pages long, only accessible via Flash, and includes links to my:
- Portfolio
- Blog roll
- LiveJournal
- Acting reel
- 4th grade report card
- Cash-out slips from Chin Chin®
- Parent-Teacher conference notes
When they ask for references, in addition to former colleagues, I include my:
- High school cross-country teammates
- First landlords in LA*
- Frenemies
- Therapists
- Wife
- Kids
- Cat
All these things matter. They have all played a part in who I am, what I’m capable of (or not), and why I’m a good fit (or not). I can’t separate the role of therapy from learning JavaScript. It was formative to have danced at Club Congress on Fridays, just as much as when I had to be the interim manager after my boss was fired.
For context, I don’t actually have a 43-page resume (yet), but I feel strongly that spending more than 30 seconds scanning someone’s bio is a better way to hire for all parties involved. The current practice of forcing candidates into a 2-page boring bullet list robs them of their dignity. This best practice strips hiring teams of their curiosity, connection, and imagination.
I want to see and read more 43-page resumes. They’re more interesting and representative of who people are, how they show up, and what they’re capable of. They encourage hiring managers to reflect and evaluate their own expectations. They help candidates represent themselves in a more accurate way.
I’m willing to bet, that hiring managers and companies will better be able find the people they’re looking for by reading ten 43-page resumes than by scanning 1000s of short bullet points. I’m willing to bet it would take less time and energy too.
Anyway, bring back apprenticeships. See people beyond a self reported data point. Encourage reflection and curiosity. Step outside the norm.
*Frank and Teruko were amazing. They often made me dinner or Rum Balls (round pastries), checked in on me frequently, and kept rent at prices I and others could afford. They were happy that we made each unit our own. At a time when I was most down in life, but also weirdly inspired and productive, Frank and Teruko were the rental parents I needed.
