I speak to so many professionals who have read every article and every book on resume writing, spent spending hours developing their resume, only to get zero responses.
It is easy to get frustrated and discouraged with your career background and even question your talents. Ever consider that the problem may not be you, but your "do-it-yourself" resume?
If you have not looked for a job in a really long time and have not kept abreast of resume writing trends, you are in for a big surprise. Your career has to be summarized into branded, targeted marketing messages that have to appeal to several audiences including hiring manager, executive recruiter, and human resources department.
Conduct your own resume evaluation and see if you are making any of these critical mistakes:
Your resume tells your work history, but does not sell your strengths: Is it weighed down with outdated industry jargon, irrelevant job content and pages and pages of task-driven statements?
-- It is critical to carefully de-emphasize (not lie or embellish) non-related job tasks and responsibilities; this strategy can make a big difference between a vague and a target-focused resume.
-- Your professional resume is a strategic marketing document, more importantly, it is a living document. All this simply means is that you write for the future and keep your target audience's (employers) needs in mind.
-- Make sure that every word, sentence, phrase, and statement on your resume should support and promote your candidacy for your ideal positions.
-- Tailor your resume content to match your career goals and guide your content inclusion decisions on who you want to be (director of marketing, senior accountant, public relations manager) and how you want to be perceived (rainmaker, technology guru, finance wizard).
-- Once you have advanced in your career, there are certain basic skills and areas of expertise that you will be expected to have. For example, if you have been a CPA for the past ten years, it is no longer necessary to indicate that you have “strong analytical skills” or that you are “very knowledgeable of the GAAP rules”
-- Release yourself from any degree of emotional attachment when launching a job search for first time in a long time. You have to write your resume with hiring manager/employers’ needs at the forefront of your mind. Don’t be swayed or influenced by the fact that it was your best job ever or your really had a great time at the company.
Your resume is not making a connection with your audience: Are the skills, qualifications, and expertise listed on your resume inconsistent with what the employers and recruiters are looking for?
Your resume has content based on emotions not employer needs: Can you provide a reliable reference that can support your career achievements and/or performance from a job you held 20 years ago?
Your resume has missed the technology boat: Have you listed any technology tools and software programs that are no longer in existence today?
Your resume is confusing employers: Did you include a lot of detail and content related to previous positions that are the opposite of your career target? Is there a long list of certifications and licenses that are outdated or expired?
Your resume is not positioning you for the right level jobs: Do you have your high school diploma, college-related activities, honors and awards even though you are NOT an entry-level professional?
If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, you have found the source of your job search frustration. Remember to always keep the employers' needs in mind when deciding what content goes onto your professional resume. Review online advertisements to glean keywords, industry jargon and relevant language that would strategically position you are the right candidate for your target jobs.
By: Abby Locke
Abby M. Locke (premierwriting.com) is a career marketing strategist and leadership brand coach who partners with 6-figure executives and professional MBA women to help them achieve true career mastery and success through cutting-edge, career branded communications, innovative job search campaigns, and proactive career management tools.
It is easy to get frustrated and discouraged with your career background and even question your talents. Ever consider that the problem may not be you, but your "do-it-yourself" resume?
If you have not looked for a job in a really long time and have not kept abreast of resume writing trends, you are in for a big surprise. Your career has to be summarized into branded, targeted marketing messages that have to appeal to several audiences including hiring manager, executive recruiter, and human resources department.
Conduct your own resume evaluation and see if you are making any of these critical mistakes:
Your resume tells your work history, but does not sell your strengths: Is it weighed down with outdated industry jargon, irrelevant job content and pages and pages of task-driven statements?
-- It is critical to carefully de-emphasize (not lie or embellish) non-related job tasks and responsibilities; this strategy can make a big difference between a vague and a target-focused resume.
-- Your professional resume is a strategic marketing document, more importantly, it is a living document. All this simply means is that you write for the future and keep your target audience's (employers) needs in mind.
-- Make sure that every word, sentence, phrase, and statement on your resume should support and promote your candidacy for your ideal positions.
-- Tailor your resume content to match your career goals and guide your content inclusion decisions on who you want to be (director of marketing, senior accountant, public relations manager) and how you want to be perceived (rainmaker, technology guru, finance wizard).
-- Once you have advanced in your career, there are certain basic skills and areas of expertise that you will be expected to have. For example, if you have been a CPA for the past ten years, it is no longer necessary to indicate that you have “strong analytical skills” or that you are “very knowledgeable of the GAAP rules”
-- Release yourself from any degree of emotional attachment when launching a job search for first time in a long time. You have to write your resume with hiring manager/employers’ needs at the forefront of your mind. Don’t be swayed or influenced by the fact that it was your best job ever or your really had a great time at the company.
Your resume is not making a connection with your audience: Are the skills, qualifications, and expertise listed on your resume inconsistent with what the employers and recruiters are looking for?
Your resume has content based on emotions not employer needs: Can you provide a reliable reference that can support your career achievements and/or performance from a job you held 20 years ago?
Your resume has missed the technology boat: Have you listed any technology tools and software programs that are no longer in existence today?
Your resume is confusing employers: Did you include a lot of detail and content related to previous positions that are the opposite of your career target? Is there a long list of certifications and licenses that are outdated or expired?
Your resume is not positioning you for the right level jobs: Do you have your high school diploma, college-related activities, honors and awards even though you are NOT an entry-level professional?
If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, you have found the source of your job search frustration. Remember to always keep the employers' needs in mind when deciding what content goes onto your professional resume. Review online advertisements to glean keywords, industry jargon and relevant language that would strategically position you are the right candidate for your target jobs.
By: Abby Locke
Abby M. Locke (premierwriting.com) is a career marketing strategist and leadership brand coach who partners with 6-figure executives and professional MBA women to help them achieve true career mastery and success through cutting-edge, career branded communications, innovative job search campaigns, and proactive career management tools.
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