SOS for your Resume

Some plumbing problems you can fix yourself—others require a pro. For your resume, it’s good to know when you’ve got a DIY job and when you can use some help.

Does your resume need a professional?

There are all kinds of people – those who like to work on their own cars, paint their own walls, do just about everything on their own. Others of us tend to call in help for things that don’t come naturally, whether it’s fixing a leak or setting up the new sound system.

When it comes to resumes, the same thing often occurs. There will be professionals who dive in and create one all by themselves, while others go with that instinct to hand the job over to someone else. Having worked with thousands of clients and seen tens of thousands of resumes, I can say with confidence that, just as with any potential DIY project, it’s a good idea to determine if you can (and want) to take the job on yourself or if hiring someone else makes sense.

The value of a strong resume is almost impossible to overestimate. After all, if it gets you in the door for an interview and serves as the first step in getting your dream job, it has paid for itself and then some. And while it is just a piece of your potential career success, it’s a big one, and often the first glimpse an employer will get of you. Your resume could be the one shot you’ve got—if anything deserves your attention, this is it!

Although my own career depends upon people needing my help to create their resumes, I have told clients that the resume they have is already quite strong –I give them a few tips and send them on their way. Not because I don’t want their business, but because I want to be sure I can provide the value that they expect and deserve.

Every situation is different. But there are some when the choice between going it alone and getting professional assistance needs to be carefully considered. Let’s look at 3 situations that could direct you towards taking the project on yourself:

You’ve had a fairly recent update to your resume and only have minor changes to make.
Perhaps you just earned an advanced degree, have new skills, or moved up in your company so recently that you don’t yet have accomplishments to mention. Adding details shouldn’t be too hard, and you may be able to come up with an effective job description on your own. If the information doesn’t cause any major shifts or require much formatting, you can simply put it in and make any small spacing changes are needed.

You’re a creative professional using your resume as a portfolio piece.
For the graphic artist, a resume is a direct reflection on your sense of design and vision, which can’t necessarily be communicated in a Word document developed by someone else. The last thing you want is for your resume to stand out because it looks like, well, anyone could have done it. Creating something unique that represents your style and craft is vital. (Note: even if the design is all yours, you may still want to work with someone on content to ensure that you’ve got the information employers need to see).

Your career path is very simple, or you’re looking for a “lower-level” job.
Maybe you’ve had one job for the last 15 years in a straightforward position, you’ve got some accomplishments laid out, and you’re looking for the same kind of role with a new company. Chances are, you can find a pretty good template online for a resume that will work just fine. Just be sure to include the “musts” (strong summary, keywords, skills, etc.) for the best results.

Likewise, someone whose main goal is to land a traditional sales associate or assistant position may not need a professional writer. If you just need to show that you’ve got some experience, providing a timeline of jobs you’ve held with brief descriptions and some accomplishments is usually all that’s needed.

My one big piece of advice to DIYers? PROOFREAD!! And once you’re done, go over it again. Even better, have someone else take a look at it to make sure that typos, misspellings, or inaccurate information haven’t found their way into your resume.

On the other side of the spectrum are folks with more complex careers paths or  in fields where a detailed, more stylized resume is expected.  I work with many clients whose resumes haven’t been updated for years, or who are heading down a new path. If this is your situation and you don’t consider writing (or marketing yourself) as one of your strong suits, working with a seasoned resume writer is well worth the investment. I highly recommend at last talking to someone if you are in the following situations:

You’re switching careers, or shifting your focus within an industry or profession.
Transitioning can be tricky. If you’re making the move from IT guru to sales, or just earned your law degree so will be leaving your job as an accountant, you’ll need to explain the jump. There are specific strategies to make the most of the experience you do have, while demonstrating that you meet the requirements of your target role.

Some new grads can fall into this category, as well. If you’ve got your undergraduate or graduate degree, you’re likely looking for a position in your field that will provide an opportunity to learn and grow. The jobs you held in high school can show you’ve worked, but don’t do much to convince an employer that you’d make a strong researcher, or finance associate. You need to look at your classes, projects, internships, and other degree-related experiences to indicate your focus and knowledge. A resume professional can ensure that yours is meeting the expectations of today’s hirers.

You’ve got some “issues” in your work timeline.
Maybe you’ve been out of work for quite awhile, by your own choice or due to a layoff. If there is a gap of more than 6 months or so, you’ll need to think about how to communicate that time period so that it doesn’t work against you. If you’ve had a succession of short-term contract jobs and now want to work full-time, there are strategies for that, too. An experienced writer can work with you to ensure that you present yourself in a way that attracts employers and minimizes any potential concerns.

You’re not sure if you’ve got “accomplishments” worth mentioning.
First off, you do. I’ve yet to find a client with absolutely no contributions or results to speak of, whether they were a secretary or CEO. The truth is, many of the most successful professionals spend their time getting things done, as opposed to cataloguing their successes. In fact, I often find that it’s the clients who initially tell me that “there’s not much to tell” who actually have done quite a lot. Your resume writer will go through your jobs with you, help you sort through experiences, and uncover projects you may have forgotten and achievements that will mean a lot to a prospective hirer.

These highlights are essential for a strong resume. Even if you are humble in real life and hate “bragging” about yourself, your resume needs to do it—not in a way that says “I’m the best and never make a mistake” but rather in a way that touts the value you’ve brought to each of your jobs to date. Whether you’ve solved a big problem, managed organizational change, or saved a company money, it’s likely that other employers are looking for someone who can do the same for them. And as I explain to all of my clients, “If you don’t tell them, they’ll never know.”

Creating a resume can be a pretty big time commitment. If you’re starting from scratch or in one of the situations above, the task can seem downright formidable. A good resume writer can help you make sense of all of your career details and put them together in a compelling way. They’ll work with you to smooth out any rough patches and ensure that you’re presenting everything in the clearest and most effective way.

If, after consideration, you decide to go it on your own, take advantage of the tips and suggestions you’ll find online, and consider using a template so that your presentation is professional. I said it earlier – it remains the #1 rule: make sure you proofread that document and have someone else look at it as well, before sending it out.

Your resume is the first look most people will have of you and your qualifications for a position—whether you do it yourself or engage a professional, it should be a document you’re proud to send out. With just a bit of effort (by you or someone else), it will be.

To getting the job of your dreams – cheers!

Paula

The Resume Girl

A Resume for All Seasons, Part 3: Autumn

Just as fall is a time for bold colors and harvests, careers in this stage are often at their most vibrant. It’s time to reap the rewards of your hard work!

Having looked at the requirements of a resume for new jobseekers In the first post of this series, as well as the changes needed to make the leap into more demanding, higher-level positions in the second, we turn our attention to the next chapter. For many, it is the culmination of years of hard work, when the fruit has ripened and the fields that have been lovingly planted are ready for harvesting. We’ve proven our worth and earned our place at the table; with some good fortune we’ve climbed the ladder of our chosen filed, gained experience and along with it, a certain wisdom that only comes from time itself.

But though we may now have a solid reputation and a network of people to vouch for us, our resume is still vital as a calling card and documentation of success. In fact, creating a strong, dynamic resume is often a catalyst – professionals, perhaps comfortable after years of solid work, are reminded of just how much they achieved and how much value they have to offer. Putting it all together is not always easy – how to encapsulate many years into a concise yet complete resume without losing anything vital? What needs to stay? What can probably go? How do we communicate our background without overwhelming the reader?

A senior-level or “executive” resume often doesn’t look all that different on the surface. Formatting and style guidelines are pretty much the same. Depending on industry and exact role, they may be a bit more conservative; but they should still contain elements, whether in color or other graphics, to ensure they stand out. More than ever before they should be polished and reflect the professional “stature” of the candidate.

Let’s take a look at some key areas and how they will play out on “paper”:

Starting Off Strong

A title at this stage is an immediate declaration. If you are saying, “I am a CEO. CFO”, or other top position, the information that follows must live up to it. These are not jobs for shrinking violets and come with specific expectations. And even if you’re not looking to join the executive suite, chances are you’re still seeking an opportunity that is open to the more experienced and tested among us.

Your summary may be a bit longer than most–it needs to focus on the areas that distinguish you as a leader. Often this means strategy over tactics. You are no longer the one implementing plans, you are setting the larger direction for an organization. Make sure that the opening details sell those capabilities. If you’ve orchestrated a financial turnaround, say so. Same with “big-ticket” details like mergers and acquisitions, or overseeing creation of a whole new business.

Some at this level do away with specific sections for keywords, but as long as there is available real estate, clueing hirers and recruiters to particular areas of expertise (like the above-mentioned M&A)  can help distinguish you from the rest.

But What do You DO All Day?

One of the issues I’ve run into with senior-level clients is that they think people “just know” what they do and there’s little description needed. But rather than assume that, I encourage them to really think about their days and how they are moving an organization forward. Strategy is often big here. Explaining the process–who you’re working with and how decisions are being made–helps to illustrate your pivotal role and authority.

Likewise, bullet points will tend to lean toward the “big picture” side. Overall sales or company growth, large-scale transitions, and standing among competition can almost always be linked back to those high-level decisions, and you can take credit for that. Same with overcoming major challenges or roadblocks. While experiences like the financial crisis are not fun, they can be a tremendous opportunity for an executive to show fortitude and the ability to overcoming even the harshest environments. So tell those war stories and don’t leave out the positive ending!

Length often becomes an issue for Autumn professionals. There is a lot of ground to cover and there may be aa tendency to try and get it ALL on the page, which in most cases is an urge to resist. Folks are still most interested in what you’ve done over the last 15-20 years or so, and if you go beyond that, you risk losing their interest. One advantage executives have is that no one is concerned about your starter jobs or needs to see a lot about your mid-level career. So give full attention to the top management roles and scale back on the early information. Feel free to eliminate un-related older work completely, if it doesn’t speak to your value proposition now.

Education Still Matters

Though your degrees no longer define you, don’t lose them altogether.  List them in “backwards” time order (without dates), and include any certifications or licenses that are key in your industry.

Where Do You Belong?

Although memberships and volunteer roles can feel superfluous, professionals at this level may have significant positions with groups that are worth singling out. Playing a key role in a prominent nonprofit or taking on philanthropic endeavors is a great way to show additional leadership as well as a commitment to society and the larger world. Similarly, serving a a trustee or board member shows that your thoughts and ideas are relied upon and valued.

Many top positions don’t get filled through ordinary channels. People are often recommended or scouted, and there may be a trail of experiences and accomplishments to follow. At some point, however, you’ll likely sit face-to-face with someone to discuss your background. No matter how times change, having a sharp resume that puts all that information in one place will always be an asset.

To getting the jobs of our dreams – cheers!

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas A. Edison