I recently was asked for my resume for the first time in about six years. Between running TurnStar (nee Textaurant) for almost three years and working for my prior job for three-plus, I haven’t had to update or even look at my resume in quite a while.

To be honest, I kind of thought (hoped) they’d gone the way of the dodo. Between interview websites like TakeTheInterview and the fact that networking is more important – and easier – than ever, it seemed to make sense that nobody would want a single-page summary of what you’ve done and where you’ve been.

Turns out, that’s not how the world works.

So in reexamining my resume for public consumption (even though I’m not job hunting, just networking), I realized that my resume doesn’t reflect me as a person. I put in anywhere from 2-20 hours a week helping run events for Startup Weekend (speaking of which – if you’re in Boston, consider attending SW Boston on Feb 24-26); I was part of the core team for the sold-out RamenCamp 2011 (and RamenCamp 2012, coming in May!); I teach entrepreneurship among other topics to teens on Sundays. These are core pieces of who I am, demonstrating my passion for entrepreneurship, knowledge, and networking, but they would be mere side notes on a resume.

In mentioning this conundrum to a friend, I was surprised by her answer. “You’re a storyteller,” she wrote in an email. “Think of the resume like a story: what have you been doing, what does it matter, what’s the drama, comedy, and action, and how do all those things work together. Oh, and what do you want, obviously.”

Great advice – but harder to put into practice in a way that doesn’t seem flippant. I’ve come up with a pretty unique creation that I think is worth a second look from anyone who sees it – but I wonder if it’s TOO unique and expresses something unintentional, like cockiness or disdain for the process. Drop me a line and give me your feedback.

How does your resume tell your story? How do you stand out in a sea of white paper?

Be Sociable, Share!