Write a Resume From the Employer's Point of View

Take a good long look at your resume. You've followed all the latest rules for resume construction. You've polished your communication skills. The latest styles hang in your closet. You have updated your skills instead of sitting at home hoping the phone will ring.

Unfortunately, you may have made one of the biggest mistakes - your whole campaign is self focused.

Put the Employer or Recruiter First

When writing a resume the average Candidate writes something that sounds professional. Unfortunately, what we learned in college or while reading the internet, is often out of date. The average business owner is not interested in a dry list of skills. They are accustomed to networking and marketing. Their success depends on sales and advertising. Their success was built on marketing. So they are looking for a Candidate who can market themselves.

When marketing yourself presentation matters. From the Resume to the way you walk through the front door of the restaurant, every second the employer focuses their attention on you is part of the interview.

Old Resume Focus: professional, efficient, loyal, dedicated.

New Resume Focus: Entice, Enthrall, Compel, Aggressive.

The difference in a verb or modifier can make the difference between landing a job.

Sample: Old Description

Restaurant Manager, Company Name, Dates

Responsible for managing all aspects of restaurant operations and customer relations. Provided training, solved employee problems, improved revenue 10% in 9 months.

Sample: New Description

Restaurant Manager - Company Name, Dates

Uncovered several problems between restaurant floor and kitchen, created a user-friendly system that satisfied the needs of both areas. Uncovered two opportunities, and then implemented projects that improved marketing. Tested, promoted and launched two projects to better target the local market.

Both samples say the same thing, but the second tells a story. This Candidate spoke a language that solved a problem the employer was probably facing. They used words that the employer could respond to 'growth' and 'opportunities.' More important they successfully executed two projects. Employers know that the best plans often fail in the execution stage because no one knows how to make the 'staff' come onboard with management's programs.

Presentation

Employers are used to visuals. Your Recruiter may not suggest adding a graph to your resume. But arriving at the interview with a portfolio, or having a website with supporting reports, graphs, and visuals can make the difference between landing a job interview, and losing your resume at the bottom of the pile.

Robert Krzak is author and CEO of http://www.geckohospitality.com/ a respected hotel and restaurant recruitment and recruiting firm. Google G+ geckohospitality@gmail.com