5. Focus
A resume doesn't work if readers can't quickly grasp who a candidate is
and what he or she seeks to do.
Avoid this: "Seeking a position where I can
contribute to the growth of a corporation." First, that's just a pat
statement that appeals to nobody. Second, it tells the reader that
they are going to have a hard time telling what it is that you are looking
for. They are too busy to waste time looking through silly
statements that are not relevant to the person or the job. Third, to
many recruiters, they've seen it all day long and are quite annoyed with
it. Don't even risk annoying the person that you hope will hire you.
Clearly and directly state who you are, with either of these
strategies:
Strategy 1: Write a clear, well-defined objective. For example, you
might say something like, "Seeking a challenging management position
directing sales and marketing for a high-growth consumer products
company."
Strategy 2: Omit an objective and start with a "summary"
or "career profile" instead. Unlike an objective, which states
what you want, a summary describes what you know and quickly grabs
readers' attention. For example:
SENIOR SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Building Revenues & Market Share Throughout Global Business
Markets
Dynamic 15-year career leading sales, marketing and service
organizations throughout the U. S., Europe and Pacific Rim. Delivered
strong and sustainable revenue gains in both emerging and mature
business markets. Strong sales training and team leadership skills.
Excellent qualifications in the information technology and
telecommunications industries.
A summary eliminates the need for an objective because it usually
indicates the type of position a candidate seeks. Don't assume that
stating your objective in a cover letter is sufficient. Cover letters and
resumes must be able to stand alone and cover letters are often tossed or
not passed along to the next level where you will be doing
your interview.
6. Selling
A resume should be more than a list of past jobs. It should serve as a
personal sales and marketing tool that attracts and impresses employers.
Your qualifications, words, format and presentation must all be packaged
to sell yourself.
Sell the strengths and benefits you bring to the table. Your resume is your one opportunity to get noticed.
Unless you focus on those great things you've done, an employer will never
know.
These examples illustrate the concept of selling yourself:
Poor examples:
- Managed sales regions throughout the U.S. with 82 sales
associates.
- Met all company sales goals and profit objectives.
Good examples:
- Independently planned and directed a team of 82 sales associates
marketing sophisticated technology products throughout the
northeastern U.S.
- Launched a series of customer-driven marketing programs to
expand market penetration and increase key account base. Closed
2000 at 182% of revenue goal and 143% of profit objective.
Poor examples:
- Managed all financial, accounting, budgeting, MIS and
administrative functions.
- Updated computer technology.
Good examples:
- Chief Financial Officer with full responsibility for the
strategic planning, development and leadership of the entire
corporate finance organization for this $280 million consumer
products manufacturer. Directed financial planning and analysis,
accounting, tax, treasury, budgeting, MlS and administrative
functions through a 12-person management team.
- Launched the introduction of PC-based client server technology
to expand MIS operations throughout the finance function. Resulted
in a measurable improvement in data accuracy and long-range
business planning.
