Resume Rantings
Posted on 11. September 2008 by Maren HoganMost resumes suck. I know, I’ve seen them. I hate to be hard on people and I’ve (impatiently) listened to all the blabbity bloo about how come resumes suck. They are (in descending order of suckiness):
5) My work speaks for itself: This is stupid. No it doesn’t. Work, unless you are a ventriloquist, does not, in fact, speak. So please do not say this. If you are a very high level employee/exec, this may be true but in this changing economy and with cutbacks, you may not be so high level tomorrow. So have some humble pie. Your work needs a platform and so far the resume is the best venue for that, so USE it.
4) I’m not in sales and I don’t know how to sell myself. OM. Whatever. I have worked in enough offices with enough braggarts to know that everyone has a story. Yes, there is always the sweet lady in the corner but even she knows how to brag about her grandbabies. Take that equation (timeline+goals+accomplishments) and write it out.
3) I have only been at one company/job/hot dog stand. Spin it baby. Here’s a post that tells it better than I do. But seriously, if you have to drag volunteer work, unpaid projects, church stuff out of the hole then do it. BTW, you do know you should be volunteering and freelancing right? No? Well the blog is new. YOU SHOULD.
2) I don’t need a fancy resume to be a great waitress, assitant, hot dog stand guy: Yeah you do. Because even if that is your role for life, there will be a time when you need to prove why you are the best for the job. Whether it’s negotiating a raise (careful bosses get torqued about this one), justifying why a company should keep you on when budgets are getting slashed or when you find yourself flat out of a job, that resume better be up to DATE. I recommend refreshing every six months as you learn new skills.
1) I usually stop listening at this point. Don’t read the blog if you don’t want job advice. The truth is, 98% of the people in this world are AWESOME! I can meet anyone and have a truly fun and exciting conversation. People are great and guess what? You’re a person. So it stands to reason, you are great. So take all those great skills and out them down on an 8.5×11 sell sheet. Pretend you are a product. Would YOU buy you?
2 Comments on “ Resume Rantings ”
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All I can say is, AMEN TO THAT! I will share your words with those I meet as I continue to carry the torch for improving the resume writing of those who want to be improved. I absolutely agree that it does not matter what level you are at — there will almost always be competition for the job. You might know how to do the job but if that’s all you express, you will be just like all your qualified competitors — skilled but not special. Each and every person is special but employers do not know that unless you can spell out the value, return on investment, and unique selling propositions that make up who you are!
As President of a professional association of resume writers, career coaches, and other career professionals (Career Directors International) it is my constant mantra to demand excellence In resume writing — from students, from professional resume writers, and from those who teach people to write their resumes.
In fact, we are currently trying to stir up recognition of the importance of your resume with two initiatives: First, September represents the 5th annual International Update Your Resume Month (a Chase registered event) where CDI members promote awareness about the importance of an up-to-date resume. Secondly, we’re currently hosting a competition called the World’s Best Resume Writer where we invite any English writing individual to take their chance at crafting the best resume from our client note file. Everyone who registers gets a copy of our 66-page resume writing guide. Judging is performed by a panel of 16 sr. corporate recruiters, national and regional HR directors, job board founders, certified resume writers, and other career/employment specialists. We’re also hosting a public vote on Facebook of the top three to see what non-career professionals think is the best. IIt will be interesting to see the diversity of what comes in and how such a diverse panel of judges approach what makes the world’s best resume!
Here’s to making your resume the best it can be to sell you and help you stand out from the competition!
Thanks again for a great blog post! Take heed, sell You, Inc. when you write your resume! Nothing less will do!
Posted on 11. September 2008 at 21:09
For many years, I have coached and managed job searches for six-figure executives. The first thing I notice about them is their really, really poor resumes. In fact, it astounds me that they have gone as far as they have in their careers and are as smart as they are and still cannot put who they are and why someone should hire them down on paper properly.
Let’s face it, we hire people to do a job. Hundreds apply, one is chosen. Why? Many reasons as we all know. However, the interview will not happen if someone isn’t compelled to pick up the phone and call them. So, they sit there day after day wondering why someone doesn’t recognize those great skills they have and why the world isn’t beating a path to their door. Why should anyone want to go there if there is nothing there to excite the reader.
I have had clients come to me and to our company and say “I really don’t have any stories to tell”. When we finish with them, they are getting multiple offers and better salary offers too. Why? Because they have learned to tell their story in a compelling way and, in so doing, eliminate the competition and wind up the last person standing. No one else compares.
I encourage all who read this great article to develop YOUR stories and learn to tell them as they apply to the needs as defined in the job description and as defined in the various interview processes. If the recruiters are not calling you for positions that are better than where you are now, there is a reason. Figure that part of that reason is the economy. The other part just might be that your resume stinks and you haven’t communicated your value propositions, core competencies, your quantifiable and measurable accomplishments nor have you expressed or described your behavioral competencies. But those are for another discussion.
Fred E. Coon
Chairman, CEO
Stewart, Cooper & Coon
Posted on 12. September 2008 at 06:28