Other creative ways to stand out

Landing your dream Customer Success Manager role can require more than a polished resume and interview practice. In today's competitive market, you must demonstrate the same creativity and strategic thinking you'll bring to your customers.

Here are a few ideas you can use to showcase your capabilities in unique ways.

Create a Pitch Deck

This proven approach helped candidates land roles at companies like 1Password and Salesforce, standing out among hundreds of applicants. It works because it shows initiative and confidence while demonstrating the skills employers actually care about.

When to Use This

Save this strategy for your hiring manager interview, after you've passed the initial recruiter screen. It's most effective when you've had a chance to research the company thoroughly and understand their needs.

Creating Your Pitch Deck

Before the Interview

1. Build 3-5 slides showing why you're the ideal candidate

2. Download their exact brand colors using a color picker tool

3. Keep text minimal - focus on key achievements and metrics

4. Include specific examples of how your experience matches their needs

5. End with a clear slide on why you're the perfect fit

During the Interview

1. Start naturally and build rapport for 2-3 minutes

2. Transition with: "I've prepared something I think will help show why I'm the best candidate for this role. Would you mind if I share my screen?"

3. Present each slide confidently but conversationally

4. After each key point, ask: "What stands out to you about my past performance?" or "How does this align with what you're looking for?"

5. Send the deck with your thank you note afterward

Pro Tips

• Practice your delivery until it feels natural

• Have a backup PDF ready in case of technical issues

• Time yourself - keep it under 5 minutes

• Read the room - be ready to adapt if needed

• Test your screen sharing before the interview

Send a Video Introduction

This approach puts your communication and presentation skills front and center, helping you stand out before the first interview. It's particularly effective for customer-facing roles where personality and presence matter.

When to Use This

Send your video introduction after applying but before your first interview. It's also effective as a follow-up to showcase your enthusiasm after an initial application or networking connection.

Creating Your Video

1. Record a 60-90 second video introducing yourself and explaining why you're excited about the role

2. Keep it professional but authentic - film in a well-lit space with a clean background

3. Share one specific achievement that's relevant to their needs

4. End with a clear call to action about next steps

5. Include captions for accessibility

Sending Your Video

1. Upload it as an unlisted YouTube link or use a professional platform like Loom

2. Send it in a brief follow-up email after applying

3. Write: "I wanted to personally introduce myself and share why I'm excited about this opportunity. I've included a quick video that highlights my relevant experience."

4. Include your resume and LinkedIn profile again for easy reference

5. Keep the email short - let the video do the talking

Pro Tips

• Script your key points but don't read them verbatim

• Record several takes until it feels natural

• Test the link before sending

• Consider your background and lighting

• Dress as you would for an interview

Remember, video allows you to showcase your personality and communication style in a way that resumes can't. It demonstrates initiative while giving hiring managers a preview of how you'd represent their company.

Create a Professional Portfolio Site

This strategy sets you apart by giving hiring managers a comprehensive view of your customer success expertise and achievements. A well-crafted portfolio site demonstrates both your professional accomplishments and your ability to tell compelling success stories.

When to Use This

Best created before starting your job search and referenced throughout the application process. It's particularly effective when networking, after initial applications, or as a follow-up resource after interviews. Unlike other application materials, your portfolio site can evolve and grow throughout your job search.

Creating Your Portfolio

• Structure your site thoughtfully: Create a clean, professional homepage that quickly conveys your CS expertise.

• Include a curated selection of customer success stories

• Add a testimonial section from past clients and colleagues

• Share your approach to customer success through case studies

• Feature metrics and achievements that demonstrate impact

• Document your CS philosophy and methodology

Key sections to include:

• About section highlighting your CS journey and philosophy

• Success stories with specific metrics (anonymized as needed)

• Testimonials from clients and colleagues

• Your approach to customer success (frameworks, methodologies)

• Professional achievements and certifications

• Blog posts or articles showcasing CS expertise

• Contact information and professional social links

Presenting Your Work

Share your portfolio strategically: Include the link in your application materials and LinkedIn profile. Reference specific portions during interviews: "I documented a similar success story on my portfolio site." Use it to supplement answers about your experience. Mention it in follow-up emails: "For more examples of my work, I've included a link to my portfolio." Reference it when discussing specific achievements.

Pro Tips

• Keep design simple and professional - focus on content over flashy elements

• Update regularly with new achievements and success stories

• Password-protect sensitive information if needed Include clear calls to action for hiring managers

• Make it mobile-friendly for easy viewing

• Ensure fast loading times and clean navigation

• Add downloadable resources like case studies or white papers

• Consider using platforms like Notion or Webflow for easy updates

Remember: Your portfolio site should focus on demonstrating real impact and expertise rather than just listing experiences. Show hiring managers exactly how you approach customer success and the results you've achieved.

Examples of Strong Portfolio Elements:

• Before/after metrics from customer success stories

• Visual representations of your CS methodology

• Video introductions or presentations

• Detailed case studies of challenging situations

• Testimonials that highlight specific strengths

• Blog posts showing thought leadership

• Documentation of your CS tech stack expertise

Create a Customer Journey Map

This strategy demonstrates deep product understanding and strategic thinking by showing how you'd approach the actual role. It's especially powerful for customer success and product-focused positions.

When to Use This

Prepare this for the final rounds of interviews when you're meeting with hiring managers or team leads. It shows initiative and gives you concrete examples to discuss during technical questions.

Creating Your Journey Map

1. Research their product thoroughly through their website, documentation, and customer reviews

2. Map out key customer touchpoints and potential pain points

3. Identify 2-3 specific opportunities for improving the customer experience

4. Create a simple but professional one-page visual representation

5. Include metrics you'd track at each stage

Presenting Your Work

1. Bring it up naturally when discussing your approach to customer success

2. Frame it as: "I took some time to analyze your customer journey and identified some interesting opportunities. Would you like to see my thoughts?"

3. Walk through your thinking process

4. Ask for their perspective on your observations

5. Use it to showcase your problem-solving approach

Pro Tips

• Focus on being insightful rather than right

• Acknowledge that you're working with limited information

• Be ready to defend your thinking

• Show curiosity about their actual process

• Prepare specific questions about areas where you made assumptions

Create a 30-60-90 Day Implementation Plan

This strategy demonstrates proactive thinking and shows hiring managers exactly how you'll approach the role. Several hiring managers have noted this approach helped candidates stand out by showing they'd already thought deeply about delivering value.

When to Use This

Best for final interview rounds with hiring managers or team leads. It's particularly effective when discussing how you'd approach starting in the role or during leadership-focused interviews.

Creating Your Plan

1. Research recent company announcements, quarterly goals, and LinkedIn posts from team leaders

2. Create a single-page document with three clear sections (30, 60, and 90 days)

3. Include specific metrics and goals for each period

4. Add key stakeholders you'll build relationships with

5. Focus on learning objectives and quick wins

Presenting Your Work

1. Wait for questions about how you'd approach starting the role

2. Say: "I've thought carefully about this and created an initial 90-day plan. Would you like me to walk you through my thinking?"

3. Present key points conversationally, not as a lecture

4. Ask for their input throughout: "How does this align with your priorities?"

5. Position it as a starting point for discussion

Pro Tips

• Keep it realistic - don't promise to revolutionize everything

• Include both learning goals and action items

• Show awareness of the onboarding process

• Be ready to adapt based on their feedback

• Print copies if it's an in-person interview

Create a Visual Testimonial Wall

This approach showcases real voices validating your impact and skills. By presenting recommendations visually, you create a powerful "social proof" document that's more engaging than traditional reference lists.

When to Use This

Perfect as a follow-up piece after your first interview or when submitting case studies of your work. It's particularly effective for customer-facing roles where relationship-building is crucial.

Creating Your Wall

1. Collect testimonials from multiple sources:

   1. LinkedIn recommendations

   2. Client feedback

   3. Notes from performance reviews

   4. Team member feedback

   5. Project completion feedback

2. Make it anonymous and professional:

   1. Remove names and identifying details

   2. Replace with descriptors like "Senior Product Manager at Fortune 500 Tech Company"

   3. Keep company names general unless you have permission

   4. Include role and industry context for credibility

3. Design it like a modern product testimonial wall:

   1. Use Canva to design your wall of love

   2. Group by category (clients, managers, peers)

   3. Highlight key phrases in each testimonial

   4. Use consistent, clean formatting

   5. Keep it to one page

   6. Add a footer with logos of companies you've worked with

Presenting Your Work

1. Send it as a PDF attachment in your follow-up email

2. Write: "I've included a collection of feedback that highlights my impact in previous roles. Each testimonial represents a relationship and outcome I'm proud of."

3. Reference specific testimonials during behavioral interviews

4. Use it to support your claims about soft skills

5. Include it in your "interview presentation package"

Pro Tips

• Choose testimonials that highlight different skills

• If you get permission, add their name above their testimonial.

• Get permission to use quotes and names

• Keep design clean and professional

• Include dates and context where relevant

• Consider making it interactive with clickable links to full LinkedIn recommendations

• Add a footer with the relevant company logos at the bottom to show your experience scope