We’ve all experienced it: that glorious moment when we know we’ve written something exceedingly snarky and bitingly hilarious. Whether it’s via tweet, email or text message, we guffaw to ourselves and wait impatiently for the “ROFL” or “LMAO” response we know such brilliant wit deserves, only to receive a “WTF?”
It’s easy to misinterpret the tone of written communication. As PR Daily reports, senders believe their tone will be properly interpreted 80 percent of the time when, in fact, online messages are misinterpreted nearly 50 percent of the time. And while we may think a little miscommunication is harmless, a misfired sarcastic message can cause serious ramifications to our professional reputation.
Take Mark, a New York University student and J.P. Morgan summer internship applicant, for example. Mark became Wall Street’s favorite joke in February when his tenacious cover letter passed through dozens of firms, eventually becoming a mockery on the Internet. A snippet of the letter read, “Once I realized I could achieve a perfect GPA while holding a part-time job in NYU, I decided to redouble my effort by placing out of two classes, taking two honors classes, and holding two part-time jobs. That semester I achieved a 3.93, and in the same time I managed to bench double my body weight and do 35 pull-ups.”
Now, I’m not entirely positive that Mark isn’t a self-absorbed “bro,” but my guess is that all the caffeine he consumed to power through his two jobs mixed with a sarcastic personality, resulting in poor reputation management.
If you’re looking for a few ways to incorporate your personality in your job search without jeopardizing your professional reputation, consider trying the following tips:
Add Color To Your Resume
My favorite thing about my resume is the purple color block that separates headings from text. I purposely chose to utilize purple in my resume because it’s been my favorite color ever since I studied phototrophic purple bacteria in high school biology class. Not only does the color make my resume easily identifiable when it’s buried in a stack of dozens, it also makes for a memorable interview ice-breaker.
Create A Video Resume
Just as video killed the radio star, video resumes are quickly killing their paper counterparts. Video allows job seekers to skip a step in the hiring process, allowing hiring managers to see if a candidate is professional, articulate and passionate. Video also allows you to showcase your quirky side without mangling your message.
Pick Up The Phone
If you simply can’t resist incorporating your sarcastic personality into your job application, make a point to call the person you’re subjecting to your literary banter. Meaning and tone are much more understandable when spoken.
Do you have tips for incorporating your personality without jeopardizing your professional reputation? Share them below!
