RESUME

Strikes fear into nearly all of us... do we have enough? Is it what we need to say.

During all the hiring I've done over the past 15 years, one thing that I see that drives me up a wall is boiler plate resumes.

Word template resumes. How boring. Are you that creatively handicapped?

I don't want to hear that "you are in a conservative profession". Different is not always better, but better is always different.

Most resume's are the same old backwards crap. Worked here from birth to puberty, duties were initially in the diaper, then the commode.

Company. Dates. Title. Duties (gag).

Puberty though senility, then social security (if it's still there).

Excuse me while I get sick.

You may choose your level of mediocrity, but not on my watch.

To make the point, I took 200 resumes that I received over the last 60 days. I printed them all (OK, a colossal waste of dead trees and graphite).

I threw them on the floor and looked. And looked. And looked. Our 10 year old daughter Leah noticed immediately.. they all looked the same.

Portrait printing, boring. Cookie cutter, all the same.  Same type size. Same type style.

This was painfully apparent to a 10 year old.. "Daddy, how do you pick the best one?".

Great question..... the answer: They either have every single one of your requirements in spades, or...... better is always different.

Preferably BOTH..... do you have BOTH?  You should.

Listen, when you go to some resume service, remember that the person helping you with your resume is doing so because THEY DON'T HAVE A PROMISING CAREER.

If they found the gig that you want, they would have taken it. They didn't, and they probably can't help you, either.

So... do exactly the opposite of what they say. Tell your reader what you ACHIEVED. Not what your duties were. WHERE WERE YOU THE BEST! What do you do that makes your boss (the guy/gal/eunuch that will hire you) look like that next promotion they want.

I know you are better than the next person. TELL ME ABOUT IT. In writing. Clearly. Concisely. Directly.

Think about it.

I've added a new twist to this as well.... SHOW THEM THE WORK. This is especially important the higher you go up the "knowledge tree".

SHOW THEM THE WORK.  What you did... how you did it. Why it's wonderful.

A little history. Never know, maybe your paths crossed (or came close) it's something to talk about, but   ... a lot about your accomplishments.

What looks better "consistently surpassed production goals as a team member at this fortune 100 company" or "grill boy at McFood". Your choice.

Every day you are blasted with nearly 3,000 marketing messages. You did learn something from them, didn't you?

Here are two resumes... used with permission. Same person. Which would YOU hire. If your resume looks anything like the "before" sample..... RUN.           

PS: Jack... thanks for letting me use your qualifications. They really are amazing.

       Shawn... you will find the right job that will take advantage of your tenacity and technical chops. Keep with it. Thanks for letting me post your resume.

PPS: If I know you (or a friend of a friend), I will spend some time to put you in the right direction. Give me a call.....

Dave Whinnem.... yours will go here next (along with two others that will surprise you)....

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