Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing It

Do you have trouble talking about yourself and your achievements in a resume? You're not alone!

• "It's not in my character to tell the whole story of my achievements very well."
• "I'm just a humble Midwesterner -- I have a hard time tooting my own horn."

No matter where you live or what your career, it can be difficult to describe your achievements without feeling as if you're bragging. It can be especially uncomfortable if you haven't written a resume before.

But if you don't toot your horn, who's going to hear you, much less hire you?

As countless deodorant and mouthwash commercials have drilled into our heads, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. So, fire all of your guns in every resume and cover letter you send out.

Good news -- even the tasks and skills you take for granted have potential value to employers.

To illustrate, here's a bullet point I wrote today for a client who wants to move from nursing to pharmaceutical sales.

* Proven communication skills. Expert at building trust and consulting with physicians.

This woman spends all day assisting doctors in a busy hospital. To her, it's a given that she won't waste a doctor's time. She has to be concise and serve as a resource when talking to physicians. Surprise! These qualities are exactly what companies are looking for in a pharmaceutical sales rep. So I emphasized them in her resume.

What do you do and what have you done that's attractive to employers?

Take a few minutes during lunch today to list every skill you use and every bit of value you create. Assume nothing -- write it all down.

Then take a look at some want ads that appeal to you. Do you see a match between what employers want and what you can offer? I'm sure you can.

So, toot your horn and get ready for the phone to ring.

Best of luck to you!

-- Kevin Donlin is the author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit http://www.CollegeRecruiter.com/1dayresumes.html