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The Résumé That Works
 
Having prepared hundreds of résumés over the years (and not all my own, mind you), I boldly consider myself an authority on the subject of marketing oneself on paper. One thing I've noticed over the years is that people are very reluctant to market themselves, instead preferring to keep their significant accomplishments limited to a one-page brief photocopied on bland white paper. Sure, a one-page résumé is fine for a first-time job seeker with little or no experience. But, by the time most people are looking for a serious position, they've amassed more skills and experience than they can sufficiently sell on one page.

Job seekers need to think of themselves as a "product", a viable commodity that is worth money. If you were responsible for marketing Porsches, would you send out a plain, one-page flyer to promote the product? Of course not. The fact is, marketing yourself for a job is really no different. That's not to say you need to run out and print a four-color glossy brochure. But you do need to present a creative and comprehensive overview of your background.

My personal preference (no surprise) is our own Executive Résumé FOLIO(tm), which is either an 11"x17" sheet folded in half (newsletter style), or a bound booklet. A cover page with your name centered on the page provides a clean, professional look to your marketing piece.

On the first page of the résumé, include a brief summary of your experience and a list of special qualifications that set you apart from other candidates. A word of advice regarding the "objective": Don't write a paragraph stating all the wonderful things you want, e.g. "A creative, growth-oriented position which will utilize all my talents and abilities in the areas of marketing, communications, public relations, advertising, and media and which will allow me room to grow and prosper within a dynamic, successful company." Instead, be concise: "Objective: Marketing Management" - period.

If you have an advanced degree (a Masters or higher), proceed with your education, followed by your employment history. For each position you've held, include three to five major accomplishments, highlighted by bullets. These accomplishments might include projects you've managed, improvements you've made to your department, a large client you acquired or a procedure you implemented that reduced production time.

Following your employment history, include an civic or community involvement, written works (such as articles, training manuals, scientific papers, etc.), presentations given, (such as training programs, workshops, new employee orientations or talks to professional organizations), continuing education, internships, foreign study and/or foreign languages, computer skills, honors and awards, and professional associations to which you belong. Finally, on the back page, include testimonials from former employers, co-workers, and colleagues. This leaves the reader with a strong positive impression and often eliminates requests for letters of recommendation and references.

If photocopying your résumé, have this done by a reputable copy center with high quality equipment. You want your copies clean, crisp and dark. If you decide to print, you have your choice of a wide range of ink colors to really make your résumé stand out. Grays and dark shades of teal, blue and burgundy look polished and professional. As for the paper you choose, you might try either a smooth, refined finish such as Vicksburg® or a slightly mottled finish such as Enhance®. Or, you might prefer the look of Classic Columns®, an elegant paper with a subtle ridge pattern. Most importantly, don't be afraid of color! Consider soft yellow, sage, light blue, gray, ivory, taupe or tan. Remember, you want your résumé to stand out from the competition.

Complete your own Professional Profile by enclosing it in a complementary folder and matching 9"x12" envelope. Use a white, gold, or silver mailing label to add the finishing touch.

A professionally produced résumé is much more likely to be read and taken seriously. It is also likely to get you a higher salary. If in doubt, try a test market of your Professional Profile and a one-page résumé. See which one nets you the most interviews - and the most money.

For those companies that accept only electronic résumés, you can still borrow the format of the Professional Profile. Whenever possible, follow up with the attractive hard copy to make a strong, reinforced impression.

With today's emphasis on creative thinking in the workplace, you can demonstrate your innovative talents with an original, sophisticated résumé before you're even hired.

Debra Davenport, PhD, is a Master Professional Mentor and the president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Los Angeles and Phoenix that mentors entrepreneurs and professionals. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor® designation and certification program and the author of The Ten Commitments of Highly Successful People. debra@davenportfolio.com or (866) 232-6492.

 

 
 
     
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