Dare to be 1% more creative in a vanilla world.

Instead of sending a boring resume, try recording an engaging video.

People might tell you:

"The odds are against you, buddy. Only 1% of people land that job you're chasing."

"Don't even try. 99% of businesses fail. The market is too saturated and you wouldn't stand out."

"Don't bother expressing interest to her; she has too many options."

What many overlook is that the majority of people who attempt to get what they desire often fall short, not due to a lack of desire, but because they've been taught to conform and fit in with everyone else from a young age.

Here's a brief story to illustrate my point:

Years ago, when I was looking for a decent job as a designer with growth potential, I discovered that an entrepreneur I admired had a marketing agency with an opening for a designer.

Upon reading the fine print, it became apparent they wanted senior designers with substantial project experience—something I, as a junior designer, lacked.

However, rather than giving up, I leveraged my most valuable skill—creativity.

After discovering they were getting hundreds of applications I brainstormed an idea.

Instead of submitting a conventional CV/Resume/Portfolio like others, I went the extra mile, creating a custom portfolio with redesigns of their website and client work.

To stand out more, I printed the portfolio on premium paper and sent it by certified mail, in addition to emailing it.

Even if I had been short on time I could've made a video of myself sharing my ideas with excitement.

They replied a few days later, practically hiring me on the spot! After all, the “Show, don’t tell” mantra works when put into practice!

The interview felt more like a friendly chat because of the upfront work I had already done. They trusted me.

This experience taught me a pivotal lesson: being just 1% more creative than the rest can propel you 99% further.

If you're hesitant to put in so much effort upfront it might be because you don't want it bad enough, so aim higher until you find something that feels so exciting to you you would be willing to take the risk.

Also, don't let your lack of experience stop you from trying.

Some seniors haven't got that much experience either, they've just had the same 2 years of experience repeated for many years.

When companies write long lists of requirements it's often a tactic to filter out insecure candidates rather than a strict necessity.

With much love and respect,

Ash Lamb

visualgrowth.com