Message in a Bottle...
You most likely have been asked by candidates or potentially outplaced employees for advice and suggestions on their resumes.
This can be a very long topic, but I wanted to write about one particular aspect of preparing resumes that often goes overlooked. We oftentimes get caught up with formatting: should we italicize the job title? Should we keep it to one page or cut it off at ten?
We don't talk much about the primary goal of a resume: aligning your experience with an employer's exact expectations.
People commonly tell job seekers that they should convey the value they bring to potential employers: show your proven results and then concretely demonstrate how that experience will apply to your work in the future. Candidates are told to quantify their achievements, write assertively, use action oriented verbs, etc...
We often miss the most effective message (and it's always the same): I easily fit into an open role at your company! There is nothing cutesy about this advice - it's basic KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
However, there is really nothing simple about this strategy. The most important idea is that you must understand the role you are applying for - not just the company and job description, but what the company is really looking for. If it's a claims rep position that you want, one of the "real" skills might be extremely strong phone negotiation and friendly relationship skills. You have to understand the true dynamic of what the company is looking for and then play up those attributes on the resume. This "job homework" is also a great way to figure out if you really want the job.
So next time you are dusting off your resume or advising a candidate on theirs, don't spend too much time on the message itself - instead think about who is on the other side reading it. If you do this well, that employer will understand that they would be lucky to have you!
This can be a very long topic, but I wanted to write about one particular aspect of preparing resumes that often goes overlooked. We oftentimes get caught up with formatting: should we italicize the job title? Should we keep it to one page or cut it off at ten?
We don't talk much about the primary goal of a resume: aligning your experience with an employer's exact expectations.
People commonly tell job seekers that they should convey the value they bring to potential employers: show your proven results and then concretely demonstrate how that experience will apply to your work in the future. Candidates are told to quantify their achievements, write assertively, use action oriented verbs, etc...
We often miss the most effective message (and it's always the same): I easily fit into an open role at your company! There is nothing cutesy about this advice - it's basic KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
However, there is really nothing simple about this strategy. The most important idea is that you must understand the role you are applying for - not just the company and job description, but what the company is really looking for. If it's a claims rep position that you want, one of the "real" skills might be extremely strong phone negotiation and friendly relationship skills. You have to understand the true dynamic of what the company is looking for and then play up those attributes on the resume. This "job homework" is also a great way to figure out if you really want the job.
So next time you are dusting off your resume or advising a candidate on theirs, don't spend too much time on the message itself - instead think about who is on the other side reading it. If you do this well, that employer will understand that they would be lucky to have you!
Tags: cv, employer, formatting resume, recruiting, resume
Comment
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Comment by Annemarie Cross on September 29, 2008 at 5:19am -
Miles, I could write a thesis on this topic (as resume development is an area I specialise in), however one of the things you mention when it comes to developing a resume, I believe, is absolutely critical. And that is identifying and understanding exactly who is going to be reading your document.
When developing a resume, it is important to understand that this is a marketing document and therefore should demonstrate a fit with the organisation and job requirements, by identifying relevant achievements and successes that would continue to add value to the organisation's success. I find so often that candidates just present their job functions and accountabilities, which reads like a job description. In order to elevate your resume from the pile, it is imperative to not only demonstrate you can perform these functions, but how well you performed them, which can be achieved through portraying challenges overcome, initiatives implemented with the workplace that generated impressive results, as well as other successes delivered. Candidates can present powerful success statements using the CAR acronym, which really allows the reader to fully appreciate the successes the candidate has been responsible for.
We have numerous articles on resume development and samples if anyone is interested in learning more: www.aresumewriter.com.au
To your success!
Annemarie Cross
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