Need a job? Start with a Great Resume!

By Tony Hawk

I have coached a lot of people who are searching for employment and the one thing that has amazed me most about many of these candidates is how unprepared they are for their job search. 

It ALL begins with the resume.  Let me say it again, IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE RESUME! Generally, people are pretty good about outlining their career history, but that is just about where their expertise ends when it comes to putting together a Great Resume.  And, unfortunately, many of them are quite happy with the resume they have provided to us.  Some have put a lot of time and energy into writing it. However, I happen to agree with our professional resume writing team that says, “These folks need Resume CPR.”

In my initial career coaching session I ask the candidate to walk me through their career history.  I ask them to tell me what they did in these jobs, what they liked about them, what they didn’t like. As they talk,  I begin to take note of the stories that cause them to light up and get excited. I hear them speak of their skills and competencies that will definitely add value to their next employer. Too often I have to point out that nothing in their resume is telling the hiring manager that story of what they are capable of, what they love to do, what they are good at, where they have really added value in their past jobs, and where they can add value in their future jobs. 

By this time, I have them convinced that the first step is for them to complete our Resume Worksheet and work with our resume writers to make their story come alive, first of all for the recruiters who are screening the hundreds of resumes from the pool of applicants, and then for the hiring managers who will further screen the pool presented to them.

The resume is designed to do one thing: To get you in the door for the interview. In today’s economic environment when hundreds of applicants are competing for the same job, there is nothing more critical to the job searcher than ensuring that your resume is one that will cause you to stand out and surface to the top candidate pool. And it is not colored print and unusual fonts that make that happen.  Most recruiters will dismiss the “fru-fru” resume as an empty attempt to impress. They are interested in substance, competence, and achievement. These are the things that have to catch their eye.

One gentleman I coached had outstanding skills, experience and passion for his profession. His resume was not a good reflection of his skills and passion for his work. After working with our resume writer, he developed a professional resume that caused him to be noticed. It was clear to the recruiter and hiring manager who this gentleman was, what he wanted to do, and what he was capable of. He was immediately selected as a candidate for an interview. And after a few coaching sessions, he was prepared to interview with confidence. 

He was hired! He landed  a job that exceeded his expectations, in the location where he wanted to work.  He also negotiated a package that met his expectations. He attributes his success to the help he received through the resume service and career coaching from CSA Outplacement and Career Coaching. 

Let me encourage you not to go it alone. Call us and let us help.