A simple and resounding NO!
Before many of you debate one’s response, stop for a minute or two and think about the word creativity and the word create.
What does this conjure up for you?
From a Human Resource perspective, shivers run up and down one’s spine every time one hears the word create or creative concerning employment documentation. From one’s experience, one has learnt that creativity in this sense of the word, more often than not, equals untruths, lies, and intentional misrepresentation. That in itself can cause a lot of trouble for applicants.
So when (or employing someone to do it on your behalf), keep the document truthful in content and expression. That is, do not say you have a particular qualification or a certain amount of experience if you do not. Whilst you need to elevate your English to a professional rather than a conversational context, do not use words or phrases you do not understand or regularly use.
So rather than having the preconceived idea that you must be creative in your employment documentation, perhaps a more appropriate cognition (thought) is that your employment documentation is factual, logical, sequential and, most importantly, presented in a highly professional manner.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (2010 Version)
Katherine is the Founder of Blu Ripples, a Counselling practice in Sydney, NSW.
Initially commencing in 2003 as HR Aspects (Career Consulting Practice), Katherine rebranded her business to Blu Ripples in 2009 to incorporate Personal, Career and Workplace Counselling Services into her practice.
Katherine is a nationally registered Counsellor and a current Member of the Australian Counselling Association.
Before commencing her private practice in 2003, Katherine predominantly worked in Human Resources and Administration.
© 2019 - Katherine Foster T/as Blu Ripples
Updated Version 9 Jan 2024; Originally Post 3 Feb 2011.
Katherine's Photograph: 2023