I was working with a resume client recently and she expressed her frustration with her current resume and that she just wasn’t getting calls.  We re-vamped it for her, but the original one wasn’t in bad shape…it just needed some tweaking.  I reminded her that there is a lot of competition for positions.  That if humans (not software programs) are actually reviewing her resume, that she has about 3-5 seconds to capture the reader’s attention.   Yes – that is all folks.  So, knowing this, it is all about what you can do to set yourself apart and pull the reader in to want to know more about you.

I strongly believe in a very detailed, to the point yet comprehensive profile statement that is geared to the type of job you are applying to as being that first glimpse (beyond name and contact info) that the reader sees.   This is part of the “Wow” factor!  This should be a small paragraph of maybe four or five lines max.  Look at it as a high level reference statement about you.  What is it that sets up apart from other candidates?  Why are you the right fit for the role?  If you have all the skills required for the job, ensure these are noted in this statement, then hit them hard with some of your impressive high level accomplishments next in about 5 bullet points!  Add statistics to your major accomplishments – percentages of increased sales, number of hours saved through a new process etc.  Numbers talk and substantiate your statements!

Remember, key words from the job ad are so important to your resume.  You want to ensure that these key words are added to your resume if they are not already – this will help you get screened “in”

There are all kinds of tricks, these are key.

Want to be in the “yes” pile?  SHOW you are a match for the role!  Spend the time to invest in this SO important document!

As most of you are probably aware, Stephen Covey passed away this week.  If you were not aware of Stephen’s accomplishments, I urge you to take a look at his website, read his books and learn from this remarkable man.  https://www.stephencovey.com/

I wanted to do a quick review of one of Stephen’s very popular books “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”  Stephen outlines 7 and later an 8th habit of those people that are highly successful.  Here is a quick review of those habits:

1.  Be proactive!
Control your environment, don’t let it control you!

2.  Begin with the end in mind.
Avoid distractions and concentrate on the relevant activities.

3.  Put first things first
This, Covey calls the habit of personal management.  Ensure you organize and put things in place that are all geared to meeting your goal – see habit 2.

4.  Think Win-Win
Covey believed that there was opportunity for many to win and that success often depends on cooperating with others.

5.  Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Covey used the analogy “diagnose before you prescribe”

6.  Synergize
See the good in others and the potential that their potential contribution could bring.

7.  Sharpen the saw
Covey talked about this habit being of self renewal which will surround the other habits and encourage positive growth.  He described these items as:  the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional.

And the newest Habit…the 8th Habit:

8.  From effectiveness to greatness
Reach beyond effectivness and move toward fulfilment, contribution and greatness.

If you have not read Covey’s books, I encourage you to do so….he was a great, wise man…