As a job seeker, I think we would all agree that it’s important to stand out among the field of applicants.  Obviously companies are interested in knowing what you’ve done and what you do.  More and more, companies want to know who you are. The resume should cover your job experience, accomplishments and work history but does it really say who you are? What makes you unique? Why should I talk to you? What you include and how you include it can make or break our impression of you.

On our Purple Ink application, we ask candidates to fill out WMYU? I love reading what applicants put in this space and have to admit that it has swung the door open for some people and slammed the door shut on others. Here’s a sampling of some of my favorites. You guess which ones begged me to talk to the person or put them in the “File for later” or worse yet, “Reject” category.

• I am a highly organized, detail-oriented, project management pro who makes fantastic cupcakes, if I do say so myself.

• I am unique because I have been an old soul for the majority of my life. Organization is my name, crossing off items on my to-do list is my game

• My appendix burst on a flight back from Japan and I still managed to finish my book before landing. I haven’t been able to read Asimov since.

• I have been told numerous times that I should have been a stand-up comic. I make people feel at ease by bringing appropriate humor to the job.

• I am looking for something close to home.

• I am a communicative and agile personality who greets everyday with optimism as challenges and opportunities come my direction.

• I was on bed rest for 6 months with my child. I can take anything.

• In my most recent work experience, I spearheaded a project to reduce unnecessary expenses and saved my company $35,000 annually.

• After raising and sending six children to college single handedly while completing my BS degree, I may not walk on water, but I can administrate well.

• My passion for excellence combined with the desire to succeed. Winning is not a sometime thing, it’s an all the time thing!

• I am an accountant with personality & sense of humor; that is like witnessing Big Foot wrestling the Loch Ness monster. Top That!

• E2E NAV Valuation; Advent Geneva; Bloomberg, Client focus, accountable, meet deadlines, transcend cultures, accept change, seek improvements.

• Experienced and licensed in Tax, Investment, and Insurance. High IQ looking for a good challenge.

• Look no further, I am the one. I’m a hard worker with accountability, drive, willingness to learn, honesty, integrity, and pride. I bake too!!!!

Some of these responses wouldn’t impress anyone but others depend on the personality of the hiring manager, their style and company culture.  While I love some of the very creative examples and a careful use of humor but other people may not.  Be prepared to answer WMYU and communicate that image to the prospective employer; being who you are and finding a good cultural fit makes for the best match for everyone.

If you are building a team and seeking the right employee, are you looking for what makes them unique? Think about adding “WMYU?” to your application and see if it helps narrow your field of applicants.