Reading a resume can be just like reading an internet dating profile. Everyone says the same stuff, completely unaware they are BORING! The profile typically gives the reader nothing they could fall in love with. We could delete the name at the top and it could be anyone.
“I am a fun, happy and love to travel. Family is really important to me and on the weekends I enjoy hanging out with friends going for breakfast and maybe a cheeky glass of wine (red) in the evening.”
No kidding?! Wow!!! Who would have thought you love family, friends, wine and you think you are fun?! Who would have thought!
Unfortunately for them, that is probably 97% of the population. Seriously!! It is a competitive market out there! Everyone ‘thinks’ they are an awesome catch but how can someone fall in love with you without knowing what makes you unique?
Instead the same person could write tangibles:
“Every year I travel to a new country for my four week break. My favorite places are the Maldives, Panama and Malawi. To break up the year I volunteer as a clown, entertaining sick kids in hospital. I have three siblings, all married with kids, so events like Christmas and birthdays are huge and highlights of my life.”
Now we can understand who you are! We can imagine what life might be like dating someone like this because they have given us examples, facts and evidence. This is not a dull person! This is a fun person who loves family and clearly travels! This gets attention!
Now you write your resume:
“I am proffessional, committed and hard working. My strengths include communication, relationship management and working as a team. I am passionate about marketing and looking for an opportunity to be part of a great team in a values driven company, who is a leader in their industry. ”
BORING!!! You even got bored as you read it just now didn’t you? You’re brain went “Yeah, got it.” You might even have even skipped straight to this paragraph.
A resume like that is never going to get you anywhere, because everyone ‘thinks’ they work hard and ‘wants’ a job in an awesome company. That is not enough. You must give them something they can measure you by! Give them tangibles!
Try this:
“In the past year I implemented three significant marketing initiatives that increased our customer engagement by 145%, online sales by 33%, and brand reach by 72%. We did this with a small team that was initially disgruntled, having been burnt by previous leadership. Yet over six months we were able to create a dynamic team that had each other’s back. As a spin-off result the company’s social functions also went from having 15 attendees to a regular 75. I have lead similar impact in two other organisations similar to yours and am excited to discuss whether your goals for the future might cross over with my ambitions.”
Yes! Call this person! Get them in for an interview! We need these results in our company! Let’s find out more.
If you are the real deal, then you have evidence of your work. Stop playing small and instead write facts in your damn resume! Make it tangible! Don’t presume that employers will be able to see through the jargon and recognise that you are capable. Any resume that lacks tangibles will euthanize opportunity.
I am consistently introduced to audiences as a motivator and coach, which instantly has them anticipating I am a wanker. Yet when they read my actual bio the audience is immediately curious. That is what we are going for; curiosity.
“Mark has advised athletes to medals across three Olympics, three Winter X Games, multiple world championships and to seven world records. He has guided the leadership in three companies through 300% growth phases an the project he was a founding member of in New York City was acknowledge by President Obama for its innovation.”
You have a list like this too! Unique achievements that are respected in your field. It just requires you to be brave enough to say what you ‘did’. Yes, you did it as a team. Yes, it wasn’t just you. Yes, some people will think you’re full of yourself. But you were still involved in the projects. You played your part. You can state it without discrediting others role. And if someone does think you’re a wanker, you don’t want to work for them anyway!
Master the art of measuring what your skill set delivers and you will change your life.