July 1st, 2016

Your Résumé. Is It Working For You?

‘Résumé” – French for ‘summary’…SUMMARY! “CV” – Curriculum Vitae – Latin for ‘history of (my) life.’ Although in Canada, Europe, and a few other countries, they historically call their resume (we don’t use the accents aigu above the ‘e’) a ‘CV,’ it is not such by definition for most people.

​I write a few CVs each year, but these are typically for M.D.s and Ph.D. s that are international speakers, published people where the readers want to see all of those things. That is NOT what the typical, American reader wants to see from you – a history of your professional life? A summary, or resume is appropriate! Some people might believe that ‘CV’ is the new term for ‘resume.’ It is not!

Since most people need to write a resume only a relatively few times in a career, it is something a bit troubling and therefore a document for which they are lacking in expertise. The common wisdom is to type name, contact information, employers, city/state, and job duties going back to one’s first job and college education and dates, if you have it. That may be fine if you’re under 30-years old, but NOT fine if you’re much older. The skills acquired back then are seldom relevant today because of technological improvements and shifts within your market. Skills that virtually everyone has will not separate you as a ‘specialist’ with unique value denoting MS Word, Excel, as examples. My 14-year olds can operate those programs rather well as true with countless millions of other people. What separates you from your competition? What shows value to the reader of the hiring company? What do you bring that others may not? “Responsible for this?” “Responsible for that?” Uh, no.
 
As a result, the typical resume is a chronological obituary, isn’t it? What is required and what will make an executive spend more than the average 2 to 7 seconds skimming it is that your resume is a MARKETING MASTERPIECE highlighting skills and achievements that are portable and meaningful to the reader! Do THAT, and they will continue reading and IF your ‘distinctive competencies’ are visible, you may get ‘the call’ for an interview! The sole purpose of a great resume.
 
The key to rapid success is identifying and communicating your distinctive competency. In other words, you must know and tout your inimitable competency that you bring to the workplace that is highly valuable to potential employers; a quality that sets you apart from your competition. And THIS must be clearly communicated on your resume and in interviews.
 
Sure, having professional assistance with one that has helped hundreds, or thousands of others successfully down this path may be necessary, but the cost of such assistance is probably much less than one day's, or one week’s pay for most people. Without it, how long will it take by yourself? A rather quick ROI (Return on Investment)!
 
Having been a certified professional for more than 12 years and a VP/GM for 30 years prior, I’ve seen the pitfalls and know how most hiring decision-makers think. No two resumes are identical since no two people are identical. It takes work up-front to create that marketing masterpiece highlighting your distinctive competencies, but how long can you afford to “Apply Now,” complete lengthy, online applications, and seldom hear anything in return? At least, you now you may know what you are missing and know there is an alternative to expedite your career and professional success!
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