Before you write your résumé…

Posted by Steve

December 31, 2008

A couple of months ago, a friend of a friend asked for help with his résumé. It was pretty typical in that it listed the jobs he had held in chronological order and described his responsibilities in fairly generic, task-oriented terms. For example, "Formulate, recommend and implement policies, procedures and programs...", and "Responsible for the following...functions...".

He also had a "profile" sentence at the top stating that he was seeking "a career with a progressive organization" so that he could utilize his "skills, knowledge and diverse experience..."

I started asking him some questions, trying to dig a little deeper into his background - to get a sense of what kind of job he was looking for and what it was in his background that might qualify him for that position.

He asked (rather testily I might add), "Why are you asking me all these questions? Do you want to work on my résumé or not?!" I never got the answers to my questions and I have yet to hear from him again.

This got me to thinking about what people think their résumé is about and what it does. I think my friend just wanted me to swizzle some words around and make it sound prettier, which isn't going to work in today's economy.

Your résumé says "Hire me because I can do the job better than anyone else (and here's proof)"
Your résumé is the main, and quite possibly only, method to get yourself in front of hiring managers. The other way is networking, but that's the subject of another discussion. Therefore, your résumé has to present you in the best light - telling the truth, but not stretching it either.

Most people just list their duties and responsibilities, which might have worked in the past, but that works less and less well these days. To get the attention of employers, you need to think about things like what you might have accomplished, improved, saved money, saved time, sold more, brought in more revenue, did better than anyone else. Provide numbers if at all possible. What was the situation before you got there and what did you do to make it better?

Now, you may think that you are not in a position to change or improve anything at your current job, or that you haven't done anything worth mentioning. Maybe you're right - but that doesn't mean you can't start. I'll bet there's something you can change, even if it's a little thing. You current employer might even appreciate it as well.

Your résumé will not get you a job
I'm not sure if this is widespread, but I think there's a perception out there that a well-written résumé will get you a job. Sorry, but it doesn't. It only gets you an interview. More on that in a later post.

But I stray from my subject...

Before you (Re)Write that Résumé...

What is your goal and what in you background will help you get there?
Think about your accomplishments - what have you improved, changed, what money/time have you saved, how much more did you sell, did you make it easier/faster to do things?
Can you back up your claims with numbers? If not, with qualitative statements?
What was the situation before you got there and how did you improve/change it?
I know you need a job, but is this what you really want to do?

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