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

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!