Cute Don’t Sell – In Business, In the Job Search AND In The College Search

“Just because you get people’s attention, doesn’t mean it’s for the right reason… Cute Don’t Sell” — Suzanne Evans

The tell-it-like-it-is, no fluff boss of business building.

This is sound advice, for those with a business, those looking to get hired and those who are looking to get into college. Cute Doesn’t Sell.

But I’ve seen it tried.

There was the student who tried to grab the attention of the admissions officer at his top-choice college by sending him a case of Snicker’s candy bars. The student thought it a good idea because the admissions officer had commented in passing how he hadn’t had a Snickers in a long time and kind of missed them. Turned out the admissions officer was a diabetic.

Gimmicky. But not effective.

How about the student that talked about her “free hug” campaign? Turns out that wasn’t such an original idea because there were about 45 other essays on a similar topic. One of her comments was that she was struck about how many people didn’t want to be hugged by her (she actually took offense that they didn’t want a hug from a stranger).

Kind of creepy. Not effective.

These very real attempts to make themselves memorable were ineffective (they didn’t get in) and actually made the student the subject of stories told to other college admissions professionals for years to come (as in “remember the wacky..”.

Cute Doesn’t Sell.

Your message, your achievements, your goals – in essence, your content – “sells” the admissions office on you. Much better than the fact that you’re known for wearing funny hats or sending diabetic admissions officers candy bars or are known to hugging people for no real reason and in spite of their protests.

Yes, you really do need to grab the attention of the admissions officer – but it needs to be in the right way and for the right reason.

Your Assignment:

Re-evaluate what you’re telling the colleges about yourself and your plan to stand out from the THOUSANDS OF OTHERS

Your message needs to be in alignment with who you really are and what you’re actually doing.

You want to be remembered for what you can make happen, the contribution you can bring to campus. Your goals and plans to make them happen can be more powerful than a “zany” persona, or, frankly, just odd behavior.