(Resume Preparedness, cont'd)
They don’t have a résumé, have an outdated résumé, or have a résumé targeted to another field. They are hopeful that I will be available to schedule a consultation, conduct an interview, analyze their information, develop a draft, refine the document, and deliver a polished product by the end of the day. I regretfully have to explain why that cannot be done. Desperate callers often beg me to “just throw something together” to meet the deadline. All that I can do in these circumstances is to wish them the best of luck.
While I empathize with their situation, I usually decline such rush projects because in the long run I would not be acting in their best interests. Simply submitting a résumé by the application deadline will not automatically make anyone a serious candidate. In fact, marketing yourself with weak résumé could create a negative impression that cannot be overcome. All components of your application package must advocate for you with clarity, showcase your professional value, and distinguish you from the competition. Your résumé should make a compelling connection with the employer that generates an interview. Depending on the specific field and the position sought, you may be using a résumé, curriculum vita, executive biography, or application, as well as a cover letter and other materials. If done correctly the process of developing these documents is laborious.
You must have the expertise to conduct a meaningful self–assessment, separate pertinent from irrelevant information, quantify achievements, identify transferable skills, target content to employer needs, adhere to current résumé standards, know when to bend the rules, and apply talent as a wordsmith to compose a visually appealing, readable résumé. This is a part of the job search over which you have control. You cannot rewrite your career history, but you can present yourself in the best light possible by following some basic guidelines.
1. Conduct a realistic assessment of your skills and determine what types of positions you plan to seek. If you want to keep your options flexible leaving your goal open is perfectly acceptable.
2. Develop a theme, prioritize the content, quantify your achievements, and use key words and active language to communicate not only what your job responsibilities were but how well you performed.
3. You may be writing for multiple audiences. Depending on the employer, your résumé could be scrutinized by scanning software, an HR department, hiring authorities, and other key personnel.
4. Do not exaggerate skills, misrepresent credentials, or include information irrelevant to the opportunity.
5. As a rule, keep your résumé to a maximum of two pages giving emphasis to more recent experience. There are instances where this rule can be broken.
6. Review the draft several times for accuracy, grammar, spelling, style, and readability.
7. Have a trusted colleague, relative, or friend review your draft résumé before you send it out. Other people who know you well may notice critical information that you have overlooked.
8. Your résumé is never truly finished. It may need to be refocused for specific job announcements.
9. Consider the job search methods you plan to use. In addition to the nicely–formatted Word file, at a minimum you will need to have a PDF file and a text only file (to paste into online forms).
10. Know the content of your résumé and be prepared to support it at an interview with concrete examples.
Your résumé is one link in a complex career search process. The message it communicates has the power to change your future. While the résumé is your professional story, it should focus on the needs of the prospective employer and convey how you can fill those needs. The hard truth is that it is not always the most qualified applicant who lands the job, but the applicant who has planned and is prepared to present themselves well.
Caroline M. Jagot, CPRW
A Better RÉSUMÉ
www.GetABetterResume.com
(850) 425-1175