What Does Your Favorite Summer Movie Say About Your Job Search Style?

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three friends in exterior cinemaIs there anything better than spending a hot summer afternoon inside a movie theater? Unfortunately, as prices for tickets, popcorn, and soda continue to rise, it can be tough on your wallet—especially if you’re looking for a job opportunity.

What does your movie genre preference say about your job search style? Read on for some insight!

Action

Those who love action movies may be drawn to a functional resume, an action-oriented document that puts the emphasis on your accomplishments. According to Roberta Chinsky Matuson, a contributing writer for Monster, “Functional resumes highlight your abilities, such as hiring, managing or coaching, rather than your chronological work history. You’ll still need to summarize your work history, but this is usually done at the bottom of your resume.”

Instead of taking a passive role in the job hunt, patiently waiting for employers to respond to your application, you may have more success being proactive. Actively network with potential employers and mentors, schedule informational interviews with managers you admire, and seek out unposted vacancies at companies where you’d like to work.

Romance

Ah, romance. If you’re a sucker for a sappy movie, you probably get very invested in the stories and characters on the screen. Your empathy for these fictional lovebirds can be an asset in your job search. Make an effort to connect with employers on a personal level and go the extra mile to woo your dream company. I’m not saying to send flowers and chocolates—that could be a little creepy—but don’t be afraid to be persistent.

Romance lovers also shine when it comes to the cover letter and interview. They can tell their life story in such a compelling way that it makes every interviewer swoon. “Stories satisfy the basic human need to be known,” writes Katharine Hansen. “Clearly, being known among employers is a major goal of job-seekers, and it is in large part through resumes, cover letters, portfolios, and employment interviews that employers get to know candidates. Job-seekers can gain the employer’s recognition by integrating story into these career-marketing communications.”

Comedy

If you love to laugh, then you’ve already got a leg up on the competition. Humor is a great trait for the job seeker, both in making a good impression on prospective employers and keeping your sanity during a long, frustrating search. We’ve written about using humor as a coping strategy before, and our advice still stands. Laughter improves your outlook—and a positive attitude is much more appealing to an employer.

According to Business News Daily, “Job seekers may want to highlight their sense of humor as they try to find a new position, as candidates with a sense of humor are more likely to be hired, new research has found.” There’s a fine line between having a sense of humor and cracking inappropriate jokes, so always feel out the corporate culture before breaking out your favorite amusing anecdote.

Indie

Fans of indie films tend to march to the beat of a different drummer, often in a completely different time signature from the rest of the world. A traditional job search strategy—looking for openings, submitting applications, and waiting for an interview—is probably not the best match for indie film watchers. Instead, try a creative, unorthodox approach.

The internet is a treasure trove of unconventional job search success stories, but one of our favorites is Graeme Anthony’s story, who created an interactive video resume. “Anthony sent the video directly to individual companies and had a job lined up before it even became public. But after the video was posted on YouTube, he received so many offers that he eventually decided it made more sense to freelance.”

No matter which movie-inspired style appeals to you, the most important thing is to be persistent in your job search. Don’t give up—and don’t forget to proofread !

By Allison VanNest