 |
Writing Resumes That Attract Your Perfect Job
Let me introduce you to Ben. He made it happen
Ben was a comptroller. He liked what he did and wanted to find a similar job after his position was eliminated during a re-organization. He brought to our initial meeting a resume that outlined his employment history and education. There was no professional summary and nothing that identified how his market value differed from all the other bean-counters out there with similar experience.
I sent him home with an assignment to create a professional summary. This is what he wrote:
I am an Accountant/Comptroller with expertise directing all aspects of finance and accounting functions for manufacturing and distribution industries. Core competencies include data management, financial analysis, and direction of integrated services.
This was a huge improvement and a great start. But I knew we could do better.
As we talked more, I asked Ben probing questions to find out what he really liked to do. Then something interesting happened. Ben started talking about creating change and implementing process improvements that helped to increase the productivity and profitability of a company. As he spoke, his eyes lit up, and he got more animated and energized. Clearly this was what he really enjoyed most about his job. It was apparent he was extremely effective in this role.
Too bad no one would know that. Reading his resume and professional summary a potential employer wouldn't have a clue about Ben. He hadn't communicated his unique abilities and strengths. Ben hadn't "branded" himself within the marketplace.
We wrote a new professional summary to "sell the real deal." Let me introduce you to the authentic Ben:
Results-driven Sr. Financial Executive with proven success as an effective change agent in the development and advancement of both Fortune 500 and start-up companies. A hands-on team builder able to reach objectives through a combination of entrepreneurship and "outside of the box" thinking. Expertise spans all aspects of finance and accounting functions for manufacturing and distribution industries with the proven ability to consistently impact improved productivity and profitability.
Do you see the difference?
We now know the size companies and the industries Ben wants to work for. We understand more about his personality and the kind of culture/environment where he would be most effective. We also see that he is more interested in driving end results then reporting on end results.
Can you imagine how this type of statement would help to attract the opportunity he really wants?
In the first statement, Ben could have easily attracted jobs that would have stuck him behind a desk to crank out monthly reports and balance spreadsheets - something that would have left him unfulfilled, unchallenged and under-utilized.
In changing his statement, Ben positioned himself to attract the fast-paced, change-oriented culture he craved, and the type and level of responsibilities he desired.
Here's one other point of interest. By identifying himself as a Sr. Financial Executive, Ben is also sending a compensation message. Who do you think commands a higher salary - an accountant/comptroller or a Sr. Executive?
If you want to attract what you like and want, you have to put it out there. By incorporating information about your personality, level of experience, core competencies and interests, you can effectively advertise for what you want to attract the best fit in the four critical areas......
Jeannette Kraar, president of Performance Management International is the Breakthrough Career Coach and a highly-acclaimed trainer, speaker and consultant. Hundreds of PMI clients have succeeded even in the most turbulent times. Jeannette is the author of BREAKTHROUGH, The Hate My Job, Need A Life, Can't Get No Satisfaction SOLUTION. Learn more about the book at http://www.breakthroughcareersolutions.com. Email Jeannette at pmi@manageyoursuccess.com or visit her on-line at http://www.breakthroughcareersolutions.com
|
|
|
|
CAREER TOPICS
From The WorkWise Collection: Ten Ways to Win the Job Search Mind Game
Are you one of the thousands of job seekers who question their sanity, marketability, and capacity to make smart decisions-just because you've lost your job? Are you wondering how to overcome these psychological challenges, rebuild your self-confidence, increase your marketability, and regain your sense of sanity?In today's competitive job market you need more than a killer résumé and great interviewing skills to survive. Twenty-first-century job seekers must be able to deal with ambiguity, maintain a winner's mindset, demonstrate customer focus, and have a blow-your-socks-off résumé and excellent interviewing skills.
Giving Notice: 6 Things to Do To Prepare to Leave
After days, weeks, months or longer of interviewing, you have received a job offer that meets your needs and have decided to give notice to your employer and resign your current job.1.
Ten Tips to a Job Winning Interview
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time -- and go for it!1.
Losing A Career Can Feel Like Getting A Divorce
Most of us are aware that we need to grieve the death of a close friend, relative or favorite pet. We are beginning to learn that other events -- relocation, divorce, illness -- can also be experienced as loss.
Think Twice Before You Change Jobs
You've got the itch to change jobs. This might be a good time to make the move.
5 Steps to a New Job
The economy is picking up, budgets are new, positions are open and companies are hiring. Now is the time to rev up your job search efforts.
What You Should Never Put on Your Resume
Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody does it" as they say. Face it, the job market can be a very tough place to compete.
How To Get Promoted - Take Control Of Your Destiny!
It Is Up To YouSo, you want to get promoted. The possibility really lies in your own hands.
How To Pick The Best Career For You, Part 1
In Part One we'll look at how Positioning or "Coming to a Theater Near You" simplifies and expedites your employment hunt by reinforcing employer buy-in through justification of the sale.Rapidly gain employer agreement that you're the right person for the job by proving how their organizational needs are met through your specific abilities to solve their identified problems.
Technology in the Workplace - Boon or Curse?
Like all new innovations, technology in the work environment can either work for you or against you. What is good for the employer or is not always the same for the employee.
Hair Dressing as a Career
Since the world started hair has been a very important aspect of individual personality and with the change in time hair has emerged as a big form of self expression for both men and women.In todays world everyone wants to look beautiful, everyone wants to get compliment from their friends and its a well known fact that when you look good you feel good and then you work better.
Why a Professional Resume?
As a job search tool your Resume is your main calling card. It explains who you are and what you have to offer.
Overcoming Inertia in Job Change
If you can hold on to an optimistic belief in the possibility of success, you have a very powerful motivator of change. But not everyone can, or will need help to do that as some are naturally more optimistic than others.
Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World
1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:Like it or not, no single individual has a greater impact on your career future than your direct supervisor. So, how do you get on their good side from the start? Managers want to feel that you truly care, and that you are "in it with them" as a team.
Networking Masterclass - Part 1 - Practicing Empathy
Practicing Empathy A vital part of your networking skills is your ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with others. To build rapport successfully with another individual you need to understand 'where' they are coming from and have 'empathy' with them.
Home Healthcare Careers
One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry is that of home health. There are many reasons for this growth, but most important are:The number of aging and infirm citizens in the country.
Ask For That Raise!
For nine years Jeff worked for company G as an engineer. Flying airplanes was his first love.
Taking Job Loss Seriously
Anyone reading this article and hassuffered a job loss recently IStaking the job loss seriously. Thestages often are:
1.
Networking - A Key Factor in a Successful Job Search
In today's economy, job seekers need an edge beyond their experience, education and specific industry and job-related skills, in order to find and secure a position. Regardless if you are looking for an opportunity as CEO, Vice President, IT Manager or Customer Service Representative, you need effective tools to compete within a market that is job-poor and candidate rich.
When All Is Not Well With Work
When all is not well with work, what do you do? Do you quickly get frustrated and feel discontent? Do you look at each situation as a tiresome challenge or as an opportunity to learn something new? Have you ever considered looking at work problems from a spiritual point of view?When you look at work from a spiritual perspective, you will see that there are lessons for you to learn. Let's look at a couple of situations that you or someone you know may have encountered.
|
