Job Search Advice, Resume Writing Tips from a Career Consultant

Millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of job offers will be lost in 2005 because candidates have prepared and submitted weak, cloudy resumes. Because too many of us were unaware that we were in the midst of a major competition we made bigger investments in our Franklin Covey planners than in certified professional resume services. We bought beautiful suits, high-end briefcases, and top of the line shoes. And all of our adornments stayed in our closets because we paid little attention to our resumes.

Why does this happen? Perhaps the job search community is unaware of the competitive nature of job search. Perhaps we believe that simple lists of our schools, employers and light descriptions will suffice. Perhaps we believe that if employers want details each will extend an interview invitation and ask. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Long gone are the days when one merely had to qualify to get the job or out-rank all others as the best candidate. To succeed today a candidate must outperform.

Job search is comprised of three components, search tools (resumes and cover letters,) distribution methods ("where do I send?") and presentation strategies ("just get me in the door and I'll get the offer!")

Search tools include e-resumes, portfolios, and all other filings that serve to make a lasting impression. While the successful candidate learns to maximize all aspects of the job search, no distribution method will prove successful with an inferior resume and no power interviewing will ever occur. Here are some remedies for a weak resume.

• Do not "buy" into old wives tales such as resumes can only be one or two pages. There is no bible for how to create a resume. Do not leave out wonderful achievements because your information begins to spill over into another page. Include everything important and then prioritize. Finally revise the font and format to accommodate your information. Too many candidates lose because they revise the information to fit the format.
• State an objective not a fantasy. Employers don't care if you want opportunity for advancement and everyone says they want to make a contribution. "Senior-Level Financial Executive" says it all. It provides an identity for the candidate and also leads the reader to the next step in the review process, substantiating whether the remainder of the resume can support that headline.
• Explain the nature of your employer's business, within which market segment your employer operates, which division/department you have been assigned. Only then will a reader understand what you do. Don't start a job description with a chorus of "does this...does that" and be sure to include achievements. Remember achievements don't have to include numbers. They can be project-oriented occasions for improvement in which you participated. You need not have been at the helm.
• Make sure you include your achievements. Mere job descriptions do not distinguish you from others who have the same level and nature of experience. Don't simply state that you increased sales 50%. Tell me specifically what you did so I know how your personal victories were accomplished. Your story could very well impress me with qualities and experience that simply stating the results cannot transmit.
• Be very aware of visual resume presentation. You wouldn't wear an old pair of jeans to the interview. Your print resume should be symmetrical, have continuity and be easy to absorb. Remember the human eye glances before committing to read. The advertising community knows just how to attract and keep our eyes on their ads. A study of print advertising reveals attractive, easy to understand messages. If your resume does not send your message you will be outperformed.