Focus on Results for Resume Success

A jobseeker came to me recently with a resume printed on Day-Glo green paper. "Why on earth would you do such a thing?" I asked him.

"I wanted to make sure they noticed my resume," he said. "I know there's a lot of competition out there, and I didn't want my resume to get lost."

He knew the numbers: Unemployment is at 10%. On average, some 400 jobseekers apply for every open position. Employers and recruiters are so swamped with resumes they can afford each resume no more than 10 to 20 seconds. Against these odds, he wanted the best possible chance to reach a hiring manager.

While wanting to stand out from the rest is laudable, the reality is that such resume gimmicks only poison the well. A resume printed on odd paper, or in fancy fonts, with all manner of borders, colors and gewgaws will end up in the "No" pile faster than you can say, "I'm looking for --"

Employers and recruiters frequently see things like these, and the overwhelming reaction is that gimmicks indicate fluff instead of substance. They're not looking for fluff. They want genuine evidence that you've achieved results wherever you've worked. Employers know that, as Dr. Phil likes to say, "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

That means not only getting rid of the gimmicks, but also going beyond a simple job description. It means more than describing yourself as an "Accomplished professional with excellent communication and team-building skills." Such a statement says nothing. It's exactly the same as what's on 99% of the other resumes they see. You need to find another way to stand out from the crowd.

Here's an example:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Investigate workman compensation claims; perform undercover investigations; conduct background checks; witness in legal depositions; training of new hires; operation of video and surveillance equipment; report writing.

What we have here is a job description. Nowhere does the jobseeker state how well she did the job, what results she gained for the company. Once the recruiter wakes up from sleep, he's going to shunt that resume directly into the black hole called the "No" pile, where it will never be seen again.

You deserve better than this! Your resume needs to go beyond a mere job description and become a true statement of value.

Compare the previous example with this one:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Recruited for worldwide investigating firm We Track 'Em by colleague from Dick Tracy Investigations. Joined firm to develop new team focused on workers' compensation cases.

* Utilized ruses, surveillance and phone calls to expose fraudulent workers' compensation claims, and reduced claim expenses an average of 50%.

* Uncovered shoplifters in large department stores through use of audio/video equipment and by posing as an employee or shopper. Reduced shrinkage 70%

* Manager has said, "Jane's leadership style is one that makes others want to follow and improve their own contributions... She has set a standard of excellence for us all to follow."

Why is this example so much more powerful?

First, the jobseeker didn't just find a job, the job found her. Right away, she's showing us she has value. And she was hired for a purpose, specifically to build a team.

Second, she shows herself in action, using the tools at her disposal, which resulted in a reduction of claim expenses.

Third, she shows more of what she can do when she poses as a shopper and uses A/V equipment to uncover shoplifters, resulting in reduced shrinkage.

Fourth, she delivers a testimonial. She shows that her manager recognized and appreciated the value she brought We Track 'Em.

With so much competition for every job, you cannot afford a resume that looks like everyone else's. The results you achieved added value to each of your positions. Your resume is the place to show those results, and ensure that potential employers recognize what a valuable employee you will be.

Why wait?

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

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Focus on Results for Resume Success

A jobseeker came to me recently with a resume printed on Day-Glo green paper. "Why on earth would you do such a thing?" I asked him.

"I wanted to make sure they noticed my resume," he said. "I know there's a lot of competition out there, and I didn't want my resume to get lost."

He knew the numbers: Unemployment is at 10%. On average, some 400 jobseekers apply for every open position. Employers and recruiters are so swamped with resumes they can afford each resume no more than 10 to 20 seconds. Against these odds, he wanted the best possible chance to reach a hiring manager.

While wanting to stand out from the rest is laudable, the reality is that such resume gimmicks only poison the well. A resume printed on odd paper, or in fancy fonts, with all manner of borders, colors and gewgaws will end up in the "No" pile faster than you can say, "I'm looking for --"

Employers and recruiters frequently see things like these, and the overwhelming reaction is that gimmicks indicate fluff instead of substance. They're not looking for fluff. They want genuine evidence that you've achieved results wherever you've worked. Employers know that, as Dr. Phil likes to say, "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

That means not only getting rid of the gimmicks, but also going beyond a simple job description. It means more than describing yourself as an "Accomplished professional with excellent communication and team-building skills." Such a statement says nothing. It's exactly the same as what's on 99% of the other resumes they see. You need to find another way to stand out from the crowd.

Here's an example:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Investigate workman compensation claims; perform undercover investigations; conduct background checks; witness in legal depositions; training of new hires; operation of video and surveillance equipment; report writing.

What we have here is a job description. Nowhere does the jobseeker state how well she did the job, what results she gained for the company. Once the recruiter wakes up from sleep, he's going to shunt that resume directly into the black hole called the "No" pile, where it will never be seen again.

You deserve better than this! Your resume needs to go beyond a mere job description and become a true statement of value.

Compare the previous example with this one:

We Track 'Em, Inc., Somewhere, PA

Investigator

* Recruited for worldwide investigating firm We Track 'Em by colleague from Dick Tracy Investigations. Joined firm to develop new team focused on workers' compensation cases.

* Utilized ruses, surveillance and phone calls to expose fraudulent workers' compensation claims, and reduced claim expenses an average of 50%.

* Uncovered shoplifters in large department stores through use of audio/video equipment and by posing as an employee or shopper. Reduced shrinkage 70%

* Manager has said, "Jane's leadership style is one that makes others want to follow and improve their own contributions... She has set a standard of excellence for us all to follow."

Why is this example so much more powerful?

First, the jobseeker didn't just find a job, the job found her. Right away, she's showing us she has value. And she was hired for a purpose, specifically to build a team.

Second, she shows herself in action, using the tools at her disposal, which resulted in a reduction of claim expenses.

Third, she shows more of what she can do when she poses as a shopper and uses A/V equipment to uncover shoplifters, resulting in reduced shrinkage.

Fourth, she delivers a testimonial. She shows that her manager recognized and appreciated the value she brought We Track 'Em.

With so much competition for every job, you cannot afford a resume that looks like everyone else's. The results you achieved added value to each of your positions. Your resume is the place to show those results, and ensure that potential employers recognize what a valuable employee you will be.

Why wait?

Jack Mulcahy has written hundreds of resumes for people from all walks of life. Each resume he writes shows the unique selling proposition so necessary to market the job seeker. To learn more about Jack and how he can work to help your resume gain interviews, visit his website at http://www.resumesbyjack.com/.

Read more ...

How To Write a Resume That Gets Results: The 5 Essential Elements to Focus On

On the surface it seems like it should be easy. But writing a resume that actually gets you interviews and draws excellent results can be a challenge. If you are trying to write your own resume, these expert tips on five essential elements that professional resume writers consider and include in every resume may help.

1) Clearly convey the aim and focus for the resume. Within seconds of picking up your resume, the reader should have an accurate understanding of who you are, what you have to offer, and how you would fit in their company structure. While objective statements are rarely used anymore and including one may make your resume look outdated, many professional resume writers use headline statements and qualification summaries to communicate the resume focus.

2) Incorporate data that makes it obvious that you both understand and have the capacity to meet the employer's needs. Everything in your resume should be pertinent to the position (or type of position) you are applying for. Extraneous content weakens the focus and makes it appear that you don't comprehend the nature of the job you are applying for. What are the aims for the position? What challenges are the company facing that you can help with? What problems do they have that you can help solve? Include content that illustrates how you have achieved these things for past employers as proof that you have the ability to do them for future employers.

3) Use industry-and job-relevant keywords and phrases in appropriate ways throughout the resume. This is important to do so that your resume is recalled from applicant tracking systems during keyword searches. But it is also a good way to establish credibility as a qualified candidate for the profession you are going after. Are you sending your resume in response to an advertised job announcement? Try printing the announcement and circling all the most significant keywords and phrases in it. Now make certain you use these same keywords and phrases in your resume and letter.

4) Brand your resume with content that sets you apart from other applicants, distinguishing you by showing how hiring you would be a better investment than hiring another applicant. Baseline qualifications are the qualifications that are required for the position. Most of your competitors for a position will have these qualifications. Your resume should briefly mention that you have these qualifications as well. But the majority of your resume should show how you surpass these qualifications, and what it is that you bring to the table that is slightly different and better than your competitors.

5) Focus on accomplishments and the results you have produced for past employers. The entire emphasis of your resume should be on accomplishments, and more crucially on the results of your contributions expressed as numbers whenever possible. Quantified accomplishments are eye-catching and compelling, not to mention that they add credibility to your claims. Many job seekers make the mistake of focusing on job responsibilities in their resume. It isn't what you know how to do (or what you claim to know how to do) that will interest an employer enough to pick up the phone and call you for an interview. It is what you do with what you know how to do, and the value and benefits you deliver as results. When you write your accomplishment statements, it is usually a good idea to "start with the sizzle." In other words, write about the result first followed by the action that produced it.

By showcasing these elements, you can help ensure that your resume gets attention in a crowded job market and produces interviews. But, if you still struggle to actually put these elements into practice, don't hesitate to confer with a professional resume writer. While hiring help to write your resume may seem like an unusual thing to do, more and more professionals are realizing that to do so is an investment that pays off big time, helping them to get back to work far more quickly and often at a higher salary than they would have achieved on their own.

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