Write your Resume for "The Reader"

Write your Resume for “The Reader” !

Can I have your attention? Yes, you.

I understand you’re currently out of work. You are spending at least 10 to 15 hours per week in search of your next opportunity. You spend your time on Internet job boards and working to arrange contacts with your ‘networking’ group. On those days when you feel depression setting in, you try and do something different to pick yourself up (movies, sporting activity, inexpensive dinner out). But, lately, you’ve been finding it harder to shake off the down spells. The job market is bad and anyone out there that thinks things are turning around should spend some time with you to get a taste of the real issues.

Like everyone else, you have a well-polished resume and you’ve got the latest version on file with the major job boards. Because you have the document loaded up with statistics and buzzwords, you receive a decent number of contacts or at least enough to make you feel the document is working for you. No matter how many resumes you’ve written, and I assume you have no grammar or spelling errors on the documents (PLEASE!), the completed resume is something you’re proud of and you believe it is an accurate reflection of your work history and talents. Congratulations.

Now, put it aside. Yes, over on the side of the table. Get it out of your sight and give me your undivided attention for just a couple of minutes. This is important. I want you to get a job!

No I am not a recruiter or anyone who has a financial interest in finding work for you. I’m not selling you anything and, I promise, at the conclusion of this article you won’t find any opportunity to sign up for yet another advice letter you don’t need. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am experienced in what you’re going through. I spent eleven out of the last sixteen months as an unemployed executive in the Financial industry of New England. I’ve been where you’re at and want to help.

I want you to picture the executive who is advertising for the position you’re interested in. Close your eyes and see the large office; the big desk and credenza with the visitor chairs. On the desk is the little desk toys and the family photo and a stack of resumes that just arrived. Picture about 40 of them to be reviewed. The review process starts slowly and the ones on the top of the pile are read word for word. By the fifth or sixth one the process starts to get a little boring; the words are not read as thoroughly and everyone starts to look the same. By the fifteenth one, we’re down to a lot of skimming and looking for key words. Resumes in the pile beyond number thirty are barely glanced at. After all, this is an executive we’re picturing. There is more work to be done today than going through resumes.

Your resume was number 37. Unfortunately, you didn’t have a chance. Open your eyes.

The resume review process described above is very typical. If you’re lucky, the original stack of 100 resumes was reviewed and you were part of the forty presented to the executive. You at least made the cut but, due to the sheer volume of paper presented and the boring process of resume review, the above describes why you didn’t get the call.

Ok enough depressing talk. I’m writing this to tell you how to change the process and stop this from happening any further. Your resume was written following all the normal resume writing rules. It’s properly formatted and shows your most recent position before moving on to positions you’ve held in the past. It shows good detail and highlights your key accomplishments. What’s wrong with that?

Those books and seminars on resume writing all follow the same rules which make them all look the same. Here’s the problem.

EVERY RESUME WRITING BOOK/COURSE HAS YOU WRITING THE RESUME TO PLEASE THE WRITER.

No matter how many versions of your resume you wrote, you had it reviewed by friends and family and people whose opinion you respect. In the end, you learned the only person that needs to be comfortable with your resume is you! I am suggesting you should

WRITE YOUR RESUME TO PLEASE THE READER.

That’s who you’re trying to impress. That’s who needs to see your document and say “Ya, THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT”.

Let’s try something just a little different. Start your resume off with a brief “introduction” section. Have the first sentence state the type of candidate you are. Example:

“A Sales Executive with a proven track record who will;”

“An energetic Administrative Assistant capable of;”

“An experienced Automotive Mechanic who will;”

Use this very quick one-line note to state the position you’re after. Then, beneath this quick introductory sentence, write three to five or maybe even ten quick one line examples of things you believe you can do that the executive reading your resume is likely looking for. Example:

“A Senior Sales Executive with a proven track record who will;

Increase sales in target areas by at least 10% within one year.

Motivate a sales staff through proven incentive based programs.

Trim expenses while increasing profits through proper management.

Lead your sales organization to increased profits and improved morale.”

After each of these lines, the Executive reviewing your resume is saying “Ya, I need that”. You’ve caught the attention of the reader because you are presenting your skills in a manner that shows you know what you’re talking about and what the hiring Manager really “needs”.

After this brief introductory section, you move into your normal resume section where your work history shows more detail that can back up the statements you made above. (Don’t worry. You’ve already written this part. It’s on the resumes we put over on the other side of the table. Go get them.)

See the difference? The real kicker is that, through your slightly different format, you are grabbing the attention of the Executive. Whether you realize it or not, you are your own little one-person corporation. You’re in the business of finding “you” a job. Like it or not, yours is a sales position and you’ve got to sell to the reader of your resume. Think of the reader as the buyer of your services. You’ve telling the reader “Hey ! Here’s what I can do for you. If you’re interested, read on.” You’re no longer going to be part of the pile. You’re going to separate yourself and SELL not only what you know how to do but, most importantly, what the reader needs you to do!

This works regardless of the position you’re after. When you get that call for the telephone interview, you will find the discussion turns more toward what you said you will be able to do for the company instead of the usual “tell me about your work at XYZ company”. You know what you wrote on the resume and what you said you’re capable of doing. You’re now in the position of proving it with your attitude and verbal enthusiasm in the telephone call. The interview becomes almost guaranteed.

Get your mind right when adding that introductory section to your resume. Think “Sales”. You’ve got one helluva product – YOU -- and, for purposes of getting out of the pile, you want the decision maker to pay attention. Then, once again, get your mind right before taking the interview call. Think “Sales”. Talk yourself up and make sure your voice demonstrates your confidence. (Hint: When in doubt, practice!)

Do this and all that will be left for you to do will be to get that special interview outfit ready.

The real difference is you are going to get your document out of the pile. You’ve changed your approach. You’re “Selling” the best “product” on the market today. Most importantly, you learned to write your resume “for the reader”.

Good Luck!