Is Your Résumé Current?

Is your résumé reflecting current trends? Even though we have covered résumés previously, since this is one of your main job search tools, another look is in order. THE RÉSUMÉ – REVISITED There have been a number of articles lately about résumés. The résumé is being updated for the 21st century. Are you current? There is no such thing as the perfect résumé. Sad but true. If there were, it would make life so much easier. You could just use that format; plug in your information, and voilá! You’d be done. Instead, you are faced with having to create the perfect résumé for the particular job you are applying for, for the particular person who will be reading it. You often can do research on the job and company to target your information for that particular job. You can use the company’s buzzwords; you can highlight your experience and accomplishments so that you will be the perfect fit. You will very rarely know who will be reading your résumé and what their preferred style is however. What to do? Keeping current on the styles and society’s lingo will get you far. What do I mean? Glad you asked. Remember back in the 1990’s and the TQM craze? Everything was about tying your accomplishments to Total Quality Management. If not directly, then you referred to how TQM informed your work, policies, etc. It was nauseating to read. The human resources professional will read a lot of … creative writing. They become cynical about accomplishments, they tire of reading the same trite words and clichés, they tire of the same old, same old on every résumé. THE OBJECTIVE Unless you are the seeking only one job, delete this tired old dinosaur from your résumé. What is the point of a résumé? The point is to tell the hiring manager what is in it for them (WIIFM) to hire you. This is YOU in your absence. This is a representation of you, who you are, and what you can do for the hiring manager. 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. An objective is all about what you want. The hiring manager doesn’t care about you at this point. They want an answer to their vacancy. Be the answer with your targeted résumé. Instead of The Objective, put in a Summary or Profile. This will summarize your key attributes, accomplishments and skills. Think of this as your written elevator speech or Brand You Sound bite. Résumé real estate is too valuable to waste with what you want. Everyone knows you want the job. That’s why you applied. Don’t waste space with the obvious, or as Homer Simpson would say, “Doh!” CLICHÉS Résumés that have clichés may prevent you from being hired. You know the ones:

• Results-oriented professional
• Team player
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong work ethic

These are trite phrases that won’t get you a second look from a hiring If you’re looking for a job as a communicator (sales, writer, HR, manager, etc.) saying you have “excellent communication skills,” won’t get you noticed. Demonstrating excellent communication skills will. Be clear and specific. Describe how you are a team player. Use a thesaurus for better word choices that are dynamic and action-oriented. Results will make you stand out. That’s how to move your résumé to the top of the pile. When everyone uses the same words and sound alike, employers can’t get a good read on who you are. It sounds cookie cutter or as if you all used the same résumé writing service. That is deadly. Provide specific terms and concrete examples to show you are a “goal-oriented” person. We are now living in a fast-paced, dynamic world. Demonstrate that in your résumé. Provide a bulleted list of your import skills (important to the specific job you are applying for). Make it easy to see who you are and what you can do for the employer. A résumé should be a branding document. It should be the best version of YOU that it can be. FIRST IMPRESSIONS Have your most cynical friend or family member read your résumé. If it won’t convince them, it won’t convince an employer. Employers look for skills, knowledge, abilities and experience. Make your results stand out. Ask yourself the following questions as you critique your résumé.

• Is it clear? Is it concise? Does it make you look good?
• Is it inviting to read, with clear sections and ample white space?
• Is the design professional? Does it contain bullets, boldface and lines to help the reader?
• Are your sections clearly labeled and placed to highlight your strongest credentials?
• Is the work history in reverse chronological order (most recent job first)?
• Are your accomplishments quantified with numbers, percentages, dollar amounts or other concrete measures of success?
• Do your accomplishment statements begin with strong, varied “action” verbs?
• Are your grammatical tenses consistent?
• Is it free of typos, spelling, grammar and syntax errors?

Start your computer, get set and start writing! Is your résumé is selling you to the hiring manager? Need help? I can help you sort through your skills, experiences and your dreams to get the right job for you. 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