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Depending on whom you
ask, a resume may be viewed as the single most important vehicle to securing
your next job, or it may be viewed as an unnecessary nuisance.
In both cases,
this is incorrect. A resume is a professional introduction meant to
encourage a one-on-one
interview situation - the opportunity for communication that can lead to a
job offer.
It is a rare candidate who is hired by his or her resume alone. It is
just as rare to be offered an interview without one.
A resume is often the
first line of contact. It establishes a first impression of a potential job candidate's skills, background
and hiring value. If written well, this impression can be a positive one,
offering the reader a sense of the candidate's "fit" for the position and company
being targeted. If written really well, it may convince the reader that the job candidate
is ideally suited for the job. When coupled with an effective
cover letter, the resume can be a very strong marketing tool.
Preparing a resume
may be seen as a nuisance, but having a well-constructed, well-designed resume
is an important part of your job search. Consider that for each available job
opening there may be as many as 100 to 1000 resumes submitted. If your resume
fails to adequately and accurately convey your hiring value (for the specific
position), fails to establish your hiring value over competing
candidates, or is difficult to follow, your ability to compete against those 100
to 1000 professionals vying for the same position your are will be greatly diminished.
If your resume
secures an interview, it has done its job. If it sets you ahead of the
competition in the mind of your interviewer, then it has given you a distinct advantage, and has gone beyond its job.
A great resume does what all good marketing pieces do: it sells the "consumer" (the
potential employer or hiring manager) on the "product" (you).
Like it or not, the
job of looking for employment is a job in sales and marketing. The product you
are "selling" is you, and the "customer," who has unique needs and interests,
needs to be sold on the fact that you have what it takes to get the
job done and to meet the needs of the position. He or she is going to want to know how you are going to solve his
or her problems, and he or she is going to give your resume about 15
seconds, or less, to sell this. 15 seconds is the average time a hiring
manager will allot to a new resume - before giving it a potential "yes" or "no"
response.
Will your current resume succeed under these conditions?
Preparation
is Key
In preparing your
resume, the more you know about the position you are targeting, the
better. If you know the company's missions and goals, if you understand the
needs of the position, if you recognize the company’s “concerns,” and if you
know who comprises the company's competition... AND you (and your unique skills
and experience) can meet the needs of all the above (you have accurately
assessed your own value to those who have employed you in the past), you will
have the material necessary to create an effective marketing piece.
As in any type of
marketing material, it is important to present the information so that it
captures your customer’s interest quickly. Your goal is to encourage the reader
to stay with your document as long as possible. Your chance for a more detailed
reading increases when you give the reader that information which he or she most
wants to secure, early in the document.
One of the best ways
to accomplish this is to create a Summary Section at the beginning of your
resume. A Summary Section highlights for your reader those personal and
professional skills you possess that allow you to excel in your chosen field and
position. Items and skills of greatest importance (from your readers' viewpoint)
should be listed in priority, supporting an impression of both “fit” and
potential success. In addition, these should be aspects of your background
that set you apart from your competing candidates, particularly candidates
with skill sets similar to your own. You are, in effect, showing your reader how
you will solve their problems - better than the competition - and why
interviewing you will be a worthwhile expenditure of their time.
For Whom Are
You Writing?
You are not writing
your resume in order to put your career autobiography out there for posterity.
This is not about you. Seriously. It is about how you can meet the needs of your
reader - in this particular position at this particular company. It is all about
them. During the interview is when your first opportunity for negotiation takes
place and you get to discuss what you get out of the deal. But right now, the
only person who matters is your reader. They hold all the marbles.
When writing your resume, keep in mind your specific reader. Listing information
that will be of no value to the position or company being targeted is just a
waste of time.
Check for redundancy
in your statements. If the positions you have held are similar, then repeating
the same functions in detail throughout your document is unnecessary (heard it,
got it). However, do not short-change yourself on your accomplishments.
Your potential
employer is most interested in seeing how hiring you will benefit him/her and
the company. If you are dealing with a hiring manager or human resource
director, you can bet he or she has a lot resting on the fact that, if you are
hired, they found the right person for the job. It is expensive to hire, train,
and let someone go - and it is their job to make sure this does not happen. All
parties involved want to know they are making the right decision, and it is your
job to assure them that they are.
The most effective
way to do this is by identifying how you have benefited employers in the past.
Take credit for your participation and accomplishments. While aspects of your
background may seem minor or of little value to you, they may be seen as a
valuable asset to those looking to fill a need.
Presentation,
Presentation, Presentation
The layout of your
resume is extremely important. Your resume needs to maintain a “clean” and
professional appearance (remember, it is representing you!). It should allow the
reader to access the information quickly. Neat margins, adequate "white space"
between groupings, and indenting to highlight text, aid the ease of reference
and retention of the material. Use "bolding" and italics sparingly. Overuse of
these features actually diminish their effectiveness of promoting the material
they are intended highlight.
Your contact
information (how the reader can reach you) is essentially the most important
information in the entire document. Make certain your name, address, phone
number, and e-mail address (if included) are clearly visible and at the top of
your document (from habit, this is where your reader will look for this
information - do not make them search for it). If you are including additional
pages, be certain that your name is on these secondary pages (consider including
your phone number here, too) in case your sheets become separated.
The standards for
resume length have changed. It used to be typical for resumes to be one-page in
length, and no longer. For candidates with years of experience, having held
multiple positions, or with outstanding achievements, this one-page constraint
often results in a document that is unreadable, looks “squashed,” or utilizes a
font size so small that the reader is required to squint (no, they won’t
actually bother). The one-page standard no longer holds true.
Use as much space as
you need to concisely, accurately, and effectively communicate your skills,
history, achievements, and accomplishments - as these relate to the position and
company being targeted. A two-page document, if presented well, will not
diminish the effectiveness of your marketing strategy - as long as the
information you provide is relevant and valuable to your reader’s goals and
interests.
A three-page resume
is requiring much of your reader's time (and patience), and may not be as
effective as a more concise presentation. In academic fields and European
markets, it may be necessary to go over two pages in length, but only provide
this much information if you absolutely can not present your history and
achievements in less (and if you are certain your reader will agree with you).
An overly long presentation may leave your reader wondering if you can be
concise in anything you do.
Document, in detail,
your most recent 10-15 years of employment and/or experience. Longer if the most
recent position extended 10 years or more. Be certain to document growth in a
company where multiple positions have been held, including identification of
promotions and increased responsibilities. List positions held prior to this in
decreasing detail, unless a previous position more effectively documents
relevant skills for the position you are currently targeting.
You want to entice
you reader into wanting to meet you (the interview) to learn more. Current
history and recently utilized skills will hold the most value.
Remember, you will
have an opportunity to expand on the information in your resume during the
interview. So, entice your reader to want to learn more, but don't forget to
leave something to tell.
Photocopy,
Fax, and Scan
Since you can not
know what will happen to your document once it has been submitted, be certain
that it can hold up to scanning, faxing or photocopying procedures. For this
reason, it is also smart to bring along fresh copies of your resume to each
interview. Many interview sessions are held by multiple interviewers, and each
interviewer should have a clean copy of your presentation (not a photo-copied
version).
The resume will not
get you the job (well, it has happened, but it is extremely rare), but it can
certainly secure your chances of being seen and interviewed, just as it can
cause you to be passed over in favor of a candidate who offers a better
presentation.
As with any type of
marketing campaign, use your resume as one tool in your search. Continue to
network, improve your interviewing skills, and use every avenue available to you
to better your chances and opportunities.
And, after you have
secured that next position, do this all over again. Always be prepared for the
next opportunity. Keep your resume up-to-date and stay career fit.
If you would like information on how to structure your resume document
(section-by-section) take a look at the article "Resume Basics."
Should I Hire a Professional Resume
Writer? / 1st-Writer.com Services
See more articles on
job hunting
Good luck in your job search!
Sue Campbell,
1st-Writer.com - over 15 years
experience helping clients achieve their career and business goals. Feel free to
e-mail me or complete a
feedback
with any questions you may have. I'll be glad to help!
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