5 insanely creative resume formats

All job seekers know that a good resume is the ultimate key to landing a job. But if you are looking to land your dream job, then you would need one that would make a lasting and an incredibly memorable impression. Something that's better than good and nothing short of awesome.

Here are 5 super creative resume formats that will absolutely blow your potential employer's mind away:

1. Build yourself a website 

Not just any website with boring templates - but one that looks like the real thing! Phil Dubost is a tech specialist /web product manager who marketed his skills, expertise and experience via an amazing Amazon rip-off web page, complete with a personalised Phildub logo, shopping cart, "product description" - yup, the whole works. His website has been viewed more than 1.5 million times and successfully snared him a job at Birchbox in New York.

Nina Mufleh, who has great aspirations to join Airbnb, took her job search to a whole new level. She created this stunning resume that is a complete replica of the Airbnb website. What's impressive about this resume is that it does not read like a laundry list of work experiences, achievements and skill sets. She realised such information is readily available on her LinkedIn profile anyway, and decided to use her website to showcase her research and knowledge of the travel industry, and what opportunities she feels Airbnb can capitalise on. I am in awe - and so are the folks in Airbnb.

2. Why not create a game while you are at it?

Designer Robby Leonardi created this interactive resume that works like a Super Mario Bros game - it allows you to glide through his skills and experience by scrolling your mouse or hitting the arrow down key on your keyboard. You can move up from Level 1 to different levels to view his experience, interests, portfolio as well as skills in graphic software, scripting and programming. Game on!

3. Or list your accomplishments in the Classifieds?

What better way is there to promote yourself than a newspaper ad? Graphic designer Chuck L cleverly weaves his technical qualifications, employment history and skills sets into a vintage classified ads template.

4. And capitalise on the social networking trend?

With social media being such a pervasive channel in our daily lives, I absolutely got to showcase this insanely cool resume that is modelled after one of the most popular social media platform - Facebook. Sabrina Saccoccio has taken the Facebook Profile page and totally customised it to reflect her interests, references and education history. My favourite part of this resume has got to be her Relationship Status.

Or check out Miguel Durao who absolutely threw me off with what I reckon is one of the most creative Youtube video resume of all time:

Not forgetting the epic CV showcase from Bas Van de Poel and Daan van Dam, the freelance creative duo turned job hustlers on Twitter - who eventually landed themselves a job with Boondoggle by exploiting the platform with this nifty trick:

5. Even better - illustrate your life story in true blue manga comic style!

Joshua Drummond suspects that most employers "just swallow all the resumes whole, shit them out, and pick whichever one is most legible". Hence he is determined to create a masterpiece of a resume which an employer couldn't possibly ignore. Check out how he breathed life (and fun!) into his past work experiences, interests and even testimonials / references in this comic book style curriculum vitae. It features, among other things, a cartoon version of him, punching Hitler.

If you like his work and wicked sense of humour, head over to Joshua's official website for more comic relief.

Granted that these mind-blowing resume examples may not work for many jobs (or companies) - but hey, they will undoubtedly set you apart from the rest of the excruciatingly boring pile. Take the challenge and if you find an employer that recognises your creativity, appreciates your boldness and is in awe with your talent - he's a keeper.

If you like this article, you may enjoy this one too:

4 Types of People I'd Avoid on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The above article represents my personal views - which can be strangely random at times.

Rena is a marketing professional by day and an undercover writer by night. She dreams of publishing her own book one day - and that remains a dream as she juggles the responsibilities of her day job and as a mother of two young "terrorists". She can be contacted for a cup of tea or a bout of stimulating banter at rena_tan@email.com.