Health & Fitness
Great Resumes Create Interest to Keep Reading
Like it or not resumes are advertisements that promote an individual in the same way a business person promotes his/her business.
"To be or not to be the chosen one"
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I often get calls asking what the best format for a resume is – focusing on the resume instead of focusing on their “story”. I eventually tell the callers that resumes have a goal – that of getting an interview - so the focus needs to be in the content of the document not necessarily the format. It is an individual’s way to present and promote themselves.
Like it or not resumes are advertisements that promote an individual in the same way a business person promotes his/her business. Resumes remind me of business cards – they represent the individual to another entity be it an employer, an interviewer or a college recruiter with an objective to continue the relationship
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Resumes need to present documentation that will promote the individual’s ability to deliver specific, direct benefits. They need to create interest, to persuade the reader to want to know more about the writer. While it is important to know what the individual is bringing to the position the greater importance to the reader is the actual outcomes, the end results achieved by the individual.
Sure there is a need to overview the individual’s history. But let’s write with the reader in mind. The objective is to provide content that influences the reader to continue reading instead of putting the resume down while reaching for the next resume.
When reviewing a resume my interest is focused on the critical content that appears in the opening of the resume. If the content does not interest me I do not go on. There are too many resumes to review – too many people interested in what I am offering.
My parting words are “Create interest in the content of your resume so that I am willing to spend some time learning more about you, to explore what you have to offer and, to determine if there is potential for you to be the best match for our requirements.”
To read more about mentor Robin Noah, please see the Mentor Spotlight on the SCORE OC website. Then make an appointment to meet with a mentor one-on-one for personalized counseling.
