The IT factor is already on your resume

REEVES Point of View, “Still Growing up” series, Part 45: That unique thing that is or is NOT on your resume gives you a chance to show your IT factor (MLK Ball and Fashion Show)

When I graduated from college, I had NO work experience. I didn’t intern. I didn’t do any part time work in my work. I had a biology degree but since I wasn’t going to grad school, med school, or dental school, I had ZERO idea what to do with it.

When I applied for jobs that required a biology degree, there were very slim pickings.

After being in the job market and searching for jobs for 2 months, I found a job as a Safety and Health Specialist working for the State of Florida. It was a job that required me to drive 4 hours away (I was living in Tampa and the job was in Tallahassee).

During the job interview, the interviewer (who would go on to become my supervisor) asked me to tell him something about my college experience that I was proud of and that was not on my resume.

I told him I was proud of my experience as chairperson of the Inaugural Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ball and Fashion Show at the University of Tampa. The event was conducted by my student organization, the Association of Minority Collegians. I told him that I was proud of the fact that we were able to pull off an event that was being built from scratch. We had a live band. We were able to promote it in the local newspapers. We were able to get sponsorship from clothes vendors in order to have the fashion show. It was a huge undertaking but I was proud to have pulled it off.

After I was hired, I asked my supervisor what the deciding factor and he said my story about the MLK ball. He said that most new college grads will talk about their academic successes or maybe some fraternity or sorority involvement. However, he said I was the only one to take pride in an event that helped the community as well as the fact that I created something from nothing.

In this day and age, it is not uncommon for some employers to rely on standardized questions to evaluate the consistency of candidates. However, when an employer finds something unique on your resume that catches their attention or asks you questions about some experience you had, the employer is giving you a chance to ‘WOW’ them with your ‘IT’ factor. They are giving you a chance to let them peek into the driving motivating factor that caused you to do the ‘THING’ that is so unique.

So, when you find yourself in an interview and the interviewer asks you something they view as ‘unique’ in your resume, don’t be SHY! SHOW OUT and let your GREATNESS FLOW!

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