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This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Julissa Machado, a 27-year-old sales development representative, based in Tampa, Florida. It's been edited for length and clarity.
Then I remembered a hack I learned while working in hiring. While working for a difficult manager who didn't want to read through résumés, I came up with the idea of pitching him quality clients by making visual decks showcasing career highlights — and he liked it.
So, I decided to swap out my own cover letters for a deck.
I personalized every slide using each company's colors, fonts, and logo, which I found on company websites under "branding guidelines." I figured that if a recruiter saw my headshot next to their company's logo and branding, it would psychologically signal that I aligned with them.
I got hired for a sales development role for a software company a month later. This is what I put on each slide.
Slide 1: Starts with my name.
Machado's first slide has her name in the company's font.Julissa Machado
On the first slide, I put my name at the center, with the company I was applying to as the subhead.
Slide 2: Has a favorite quote.
Machado used an Arnold Glasow quote for her second slide.Julissa Machado
Machado added her picture to her qualification slide.Julissa Machado
On the third slide, I spoke directly about how I matched the role's responsibilities, requirements, and skills. For others, this might look like highlighting their experience using a certain technology or showcasing a certain skill using metrics.
Slide 4: Highlights some facts about myself.
Machado listed six things about herself.Julissa Machado
Here, I highlighted the unique qualities that made me stand out in previous roles, such as being "client-focused" or an "eager learner."
Slide 5: Showcases my big wins from previous jobs.
Machado's big wins spanned four years.Julissa Machado
This is where I highlighted my biggest achievements.I like to think about it as a space to write about any time you saved time or earned money for a company.
Slide 6: Shares how I align with the company's values.
Machado used Canva to design her decks.Julissa Machado
This is where I spoke to my alignment with the company's core values, which I typically found on the company's career page or LinkedIn. I would also include a photo that was niche to the company, like its headquarters or a nice setup it had at a convention.
For this, I removed the background, wrapped the text around it, and made it look as integrated into the deck as possible. It's a bit extra, but I've gotten some great feedback on that last slide.
Slide 7: Ends with a "thank you."
Machado's last slide thanked the recruiter.Julissa Machado
The final slide is a simple "thank you."
The only downside to making decks is that they will take more time to make than a traditional cover letter, but I still think it's worth it. The job market is competitive, so what someone else won't do is what others should capitalize on.
If you took a unique approach to your job search and would like to share your story, email the editor, Manseen Logan, at mlogan@bjinnox.com.
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