What Does Your Résumé Say About You?

Does your résumé show you off to best advantage? You need to have a variety of résumés available in your toolbox. (See last week’s article for the three types of résumés.) You have to submit the "perfect" résumé to get the job. But what is perfect? Perfection is like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. What is perfect for one hiring manager, is not another’s style. That is why you need to be ready with a variety. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to answer these questions confidently.

• What should you include?
• What shouldn’t you include?
• What must you always include?
• What type should it be?
• What color should you buy of kid-finish cotton fiber stationary (with a watermark)?

What is the point of a résumé? This is YOU in your absence. This is a representation of you and who you are and what you can do for the hiring manager. It is one of your best marketing tools. The point is to pique the hiring manager’s interest, to have them want to meet you. The function of a résumé is to get your foot in the door and get you an interview. Keep this point in mind as we answer the following questions. What should you include? You want to include all relevant information for the job you are applying for. Don’t tell your entire work history. You want to go back about ten years. Only list your best skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the job you are applying for, right now. You want to pique interest, not bore with too much information that is not pertinent to the job opening. Remember, human resources or the hiring manager will only have about 30 to 60 seconds with your résumé before they move on to the next one. You have to grab them quickly. So include the duties, responsibilities, skills and education that pertain to the job for which are you are applying. Remember to include awards you may have received. What shouldn’t you include? You leave out accomplishments and responsibilities that are important to you, but not to your next employer. It may hurt to not be able to include these things. It is ok to grieve the loss. But think of all the things you don’t use on the job anymore. Employers only really care about how you will benefit them. Can you do the job they want or need done and get along with existing staff? So draw them a picture of the many ways you are the answer they are looking for! What must you always include? You always include you name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Don’t laugh. I’ve seen résumés that don’t have (some or all of) this information. Always put your name and telephone number on every page of your résumé. You always want to include your accomplishments in a PAR type format. State the Problem. State the Action you (or the team you belonged to) took to resolve the problem. State the Result in quantifiable terms. (Example: Instituted a Customer Log of customer service issues. Was able to see repeat problems and came up with "best practices" for most events and to quickly return mechanical problems to the manufacturer. This resulted in a 25% reduction in repair service time and $50,000 savings from the manufacturer.) If your job is not "quantifiable" then tell a passionate story. For example, a social worker can tell you how they helped turn someone’s life around. What was their issue, what tools did you teach or show them and how did this turn their life around? Go for the heart. You always want to include the words and phrases found on the company’s website and in the want ad. You may emphasize team-work to one company, and collaboration with another. If you don’t change your résumé with these word changes, you risk being overlooked by the scanner. Using their words also shows that you "get" them. What color should you buy of kid-finish cotton fiber stationary (with a watermark)? Yes, this is only a semi-serious question. You will probably be completing online applications and attaching your résumé and cover letter. No paper involved. However, when you go in for the interview, it is always good to have a couple copies of your résumé with you. Go for white, ivory, or gray in a 25 pound weight. These colors photocopy the best. They also look professional. The slightly heavier weight than copy paper, makes them feel substantial. The watermark is old school and necessary. It is from a time when paper was king. By ensuring your paper has one, you show you know the formal details. And that will speak volumes about you. The main point of course, is attention to detail. You also want to keep your résumé down to two pages. Brief is good. In the 30 – 60 seconds they have to look over your résumé, more than two pages won’t even get looked at. If you are close to two pages, try using Ariel Narrow font at 12 point. It is compact and still very easy to read. Never go smaller than 11 point. Start your computer, get set and start writing! If you aren’t getting any calls for an interview, it may be that your résumé is not selling you to the hiring manager. Need help? Call me and we can put together a relevant résumé for you that will get you into an interview. I can help you sort through your skills, experiences and your dreams to get the right job for you. I can assist you in creating a skills inventory, creating a polished Brand You Sound-bite, and getting you on the path to your dream job. Don’t wait, contact me now. A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream. Warmly, Elisabeth Elisabeth Adler-Lund Executive And Life Coaching Telephone: 916 • 803•1494 E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com