Brainstorming

I can't say it enough. Brainstorm!!

I reviewed a resume with a client today. He was applying for the Director position with the same organization he has been the Assistant Director for nearly 2 years (in a high turnover field) and has even worked in the capacity of Director during the director's medical leave. That alone, he should be a logical fit. However, his resume was boring and lacked energy. Rather than summarizing why he has been such a good contributor to the company, he emphasized vague and typical duties like, "Implemented staff training;" "Supervise employees;" "Set and monitor staff goals."

As a current employee, his employer already knows what his typical day looks like. Thus, it is important to highlight and account for WHY YOU HAVE BEEN SO VALUABLE.

Instead of focusing on the typical daily tasks, brainstorm to remember all of the activities you have been involved in, the accomplishments you have made, and the results of your hard work. I like to ask the basic questions:

Who:
What:
When:
Where:
How:
Why:
What have you done better than everyone else?
What makes you stand apart?
What are you most proud of?
What would not have happened if you were never there?

After brainstorming, we were able to conclude some of the following Director appropriate skills:
*Implemented new training course, evaluating to fit specific needs of students--fast, identifiable results & positive feedback from all staff
*Problem solved retention problems with a team, presented to stakeholders
*Advocated pay raises, adapted work weeks, and vacation improvements, reducing 130% turnover rate significantly (he needs to speak to HR to define exact improvement)
*Took initiative to bring off-site training by becoming a certified teacher, saving significant time and company $
*Planned company morale building party for 150 employees and families
*Planned company party on 1/2 budget
*Worked as both Assistant Director and Director for three months
*Accounted for Program budget, meeting with stakeholders and other directors
*Liaison between organization's program directors
*Trained over 200 staff, developed and delivered own curriculum

Do not settle for the typical. Brainstorming can help you remember and define the difference you have made--for both current and new employers. Use concrete examples, numbers, and results to speak your worth!

Contact me if you need help defining your skills, accomplishments, and abilities.

Nice email

I received a nice email today from one of my clients. This is the second time he has passed on the skills we have discussed together to help one of his own colleagues find success.

Also another resume success story:

I was helping my co-worker with her resume, and she said her husband needed
help with his. I helped her with his. He has been looking for a job for
about [4 months]. He has sent out resumes, made phone calls for the last 4 months.
After I helped her with the resume, they have had three calls. One
interview, and even a job offer.

She is really excited! She also paid me $20!

Thanks for your help, I am passing on the knowledge.

Repeat Client

Bland Resumes

I spend a lot of time each week revising and editing resumes, as well as teaching clients how to write successful, eye-catching resumes. I see a common theme for most resumes I see--they are boring and only speak to the specific tasks someone performed in one position. Ex.

Burger King

• Flipped hamburgers and prepared food items
• Cleaned restrooms and tables
• Took orders for customers
• Used cash register

While these tasks can be important, unless an individual is applying for, let's say, McDonald's, these skills will do very little for the internship or career position an individual is applying for. Instead, it is important to focus on accomplishments and transferable skills.

Ex.

Burger King

• Collaborated with team of 12 individuals to efficiently prepare customer orders, ensuring customer satisfaction
• Used listening skills, problem solving, and mediation to de-escalate angry customers and resolve complaints
• Took initiative to devise new cleaning procedures, increasing efficiency by 25 minutes per night and improving overall cleanliness of restaurant
• Accountable for over $20,000 each night, counting, reconciling and depositing till at closing

With this new version, new skills and qualifications emerge (as highlighted in red), even though we are speaking about similar tasks--i.e., flipping burgers, cleaning the restaurant, and working the cash register.

Make your resume stand out more by incorporating transferable skills and focusing on what you really did to make a difference. If you are not proud of something you did at a job, leave it off your resume!

Please contact me if you have questions or would like help with improving your resume. More resume tips later.