Top Secrets of Expert Resumes

By Steven Provenzano, CPRW / CEIP
Author, Top Secret Executive Resumes

It seems no matter how good we have it, we all want a better job.
That means keeping track of job listings, networking, tracking down leads, analyzing potential employers and scheduling interviews. But these depend on other people, word of mouth, and the quality and quantity of job postings available at any given time.
Only your resume gives you total control over how you're perceived by potential employers. It doesn't have to be a passive job listing with subjective information on why you think you're a great and wonderful person (which of course you are).
You need a high-impact career marketing piece that takes full advantage of the paltry 10-60 seconds of attention most resumes receive.
Perhaps you don't think of you're a very good writer, and just don't like "writing about yourself." You're not alone: even published authors and top-flight executives who visit my office tell me they have trouble writing a decent resume. They also tell me, "My resume isn't perfect, but I'll explain myself in the interview."
However, you may be the perfect candidate for a position and still not get the interview, for no other reason than your resume. Resumes are typically used to exclude people from positions more often then include them; whomever is left in the 'potential' stack gets called for an interview.
The bottom line? What employers want to know from each person "sitting" on their desk is: What can you do for me? How can you fill this job effectively? Why should I talk to you?

Use a Profile to Focus on Keywords
Pre-digest your information; boil it down to keywords related to essential skills and abilities. These can be as basic as sales, marketing, client relations, target marketing, project management, budget planning or forecasting.
Once you have these items, group similar words together and list your level of proficiency, for example:

> Skilled in sales, marketing and new business development, including full responsibility for account acquisition and management.
> Proficient in total project management, from technical staff training to product design, development and rollout in major national markets.
> Comprehensive experience in finance, accounting and C-level audits, including strategic planning, team training, quality control and client relations.

This gives you total control over how you're perceived by employers. Without this section, you're basically a victim of your work experience and education, and what if your most recent experience isn't related to your current career goals?

Consistently Market Your Skills and Abilities
Steer clear of fluff words such as "Self-motivated, hands-on professional with an excellent track record of..." Let's face it. The first two items in this sentence could be said about almost anyone. As for your track record, let the employer decide if it's excellent by reading about your abilities (on top) and your duties and accomplishments (under the Employment section).
This can be the most difficult task on any resume, and it has to be written just right. If it's subjective or contains ideas that can't be verified through education or experience, then don't include it, or you'll lose your credibility. Consider getting advice from a Certified Professional Resume Writer who typically won't charge for a review.

A Title or Objective?
Think of a basic Title or Objective for the top of your resume.
This is typically very brief, just one or two words: SALES / MARKETING or ACCOUNTING / FINANCE, or something as simple as EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. Give the reader some idea of where you're coming from, and generally where you want to go, without blocking yourself from consideration for other positions.

Employment and Education sections.
Now your writing must consistently verify, support and quantify what you've stated in your Profile section. Help the reader actually see you at your last position by spelling out daily duties most relevant to your career goals. Quantify how many people you supervised or trained, explain types of clients you work(ed) with, computers utilized, and most important, results.
What are/were your achievements? Give facts and figures like budget amounts, how much you've saved the company over how long, awards, recognitions, etc.
Avoid the ubiquitous "References Available upon Request" at the bottom of your resume. If employers really want references, they'll ask you. Consider "CONFIDENTIAL RESUME" at the top of your resume, and/or stating this in your cover letter. Always respect the reader's intelligence!
Research the company's brochure, annual report and job advertisement, if any, and tailor your resume as much as possible to the position.

Final Thoughts
Although personal networking is the best way to get a job, an excellent resume can open doors all by itself, and is still required in many networking situations. Of course, a brief cover letter should be targeted to the hiring authority whenever possible.
Tell employers what you know about their operation, and why you want to work specifically for his/her company. Make them feel like they're the only person getting your resume. Consider this: a resume that's only slightly more effective than the one you have now could help you get a job weeks, or even months faster than your old resume.
Resume writing is an art form in itself, and there are few hard and fast rules. You need a complete, professional job search strategy, and your resume must be a key part of that strategy. When you implement these ideas in the next update of your resume, you'll almost certainly get more interviews.

Steven Provenzano is a former corporate recruiter and author of six career books, most recently Top Secret Executive Resumes. He will analyze your resume free of charge and provide feedback. He has appeared on CNBC, CNN/fn, ABC/NBC in Chicago, on numerous radio programs and in major newspapers such as the WSJ. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/CPRW and Certified Employment Interview Professional/CEIP; his work is endorsed by Chicago Tribune Career Columnist Lindsey Novak, and top executives at such firms as Motorola. Steve is President of A Perfect Resume, div. of ECS: Executive Career Services & DTP, Inc., and has written more than 4000 resumes. Website: www.Execareers.net. For your free resume analysis, send in confidence to Careers@Execareers.net or call toll free: 877-610-6810.




Top Secrets of The Executive Career Search

By Steven Provenzano, CPRW/CEIP
Author: Top Secret Executive Resumes

Every day I talk with top professionals and executives looking for a better job. But deep down, they know they want more than a job - they want more fulfillment.
They need to see a greater value and satisfaction in the 40-50 hours of brainpower and expertise they put forth every week. They have excellent skills and experience in their industry, but now they're faced with finding a new position, or expanding their career, and have very little background in that department.
They all ask the same questions: "Where should I start? Whom should I talk to? Should I just start calling recruiters?"

Finding a job is a job in itself.
It all starts on the inside: Step back, do a gut check, take a holistic approach and ask yourself:

1. Why consider a job search in the first place?
2. What's really going to make me happy on the job, 40-60 hours a week?
3. What trajectory do I want my career to take?
4. If I start a search, what are the first steps to take?

#1: Why consider a search?
This is your key to success because it targets your motivation. In Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life (Zondervan), he says you need to get right with God. This cuts to the core of your spirit, your personal dream, and your overall satisfaction.
Is it all about money? (hint: that's almost never the case). A greater career challenge? Are you stressed out or just tired of your boss and the working conditions...or are YOU the boss and just bored with the industry, the company or the people around you?
Write down a few keywords or sentences about your real motivation and level of commitment. How much time are you willing to spend creating a resume, learning & conducting internet research on target companies, calling them personally and doing personal networking? Will you keep track of your calls? How long can you be unemployed?

#2: Can You Get Some Satisfaction?
At this very moment, what do you want to DO with your life? What are you lacking in your current position, and what's going to really satisfy you on the job, regardless of job title, industry, location or money? We hear "Life Is Short" all the time. Yet most of us are content to remain in our comfort zones.
Only when that becomes unbearable do we reach out for advice and support.
Don't let your pride or ego prevent you from working with a certified career coach.
Coaches can prove invaluable in helping you come to terms with where you are and where you really want to be. They can assess your current value in today's marketplace, and help create a plan to get you a position that will maximize your talents.
For many, it's a chance to stand up and help others; you discover whole new challenges. You meet new people, create new relationships, and find greater value and substance to your days, and that's priceless.

#3: The Big Picture
Take the long view; don't be afraid to dream and imagine greater possibilities, meet new challenges, and make a positive difference in the lives of others. This is your trajectory.
Talk it over with your spouse, good friends you trust, your Pastor, or co-workers who can keep a secret. Don't rush this; take some time and sleep on it. Think out of the box. I built a career helping others with their careers, yet certainly never thought I'd do it for 20 years and write six books on resumes and career marketing.

#4: Strategy and Execution
OK: So you've done some dreaming and pictured yourself in the ideal opportunity; how do you get there? Get online and search for job descriptions; talk to anyone even remotely related to the position or industry.
When you're sure about the skills you want to use, sidestep the fear and market your abilities. Track down the names and numbers of key players to contact and line up informational interviews to learn about the job market, their company direction, their challenges and how you can help them. Such interviews can lead to job offers, it happens all the time.
Studies show only 5%-10% of jobs are filled through internet job sites and bulletin boards. Many executives at our Career Workshop spend hours online seeking the perfect job. But Personal Networking is the single most effective approach to finding - even creating - the ideal opportunity.
In fact, 60-70% of all positions are filled through Personal Networking: people who know people.
Real networks are created one call at a time, one person at a time. It can be slow and frustrating, but it does work. A good career coach can help you perfect the skill of calling companies and creating a 30-second elevator speech of your best value and benefit.

Some Final Thoughts:
A job search is your chance to assess where you are right now. We all know life is short, and no one else can make it meaningful for us. It's up to us to get right with God and move forward with greater confidence and determination. It's up to us to use our gifts to add greater impact and meaning to our lives, and the lives of those around us.

Seize the day.


Steven Provenzano is a former corporate recruiter and author of six career books, most recently Top Secret Executive Resumes. He will analyze your resume free of charge and provide feedback. He has appeared on CNBC, CNN/fn, ABC/NBC in Chicago, on numerous radio programs and in major newspapers such as the WSJ. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/CPRW and Certified Employment Interview Professional/CEIP; his work is endorsed by Chicago Tribune Career Columnist Lindsey Novak, and top executives at such firms as Motorola. Steve is President of A Perfect Resume, div. of ECS: Executive Career Services & DTP, Inc., and has written more than 4000 resumes. Website: www.Execareers.net. For your free resume analysis, send in confidence to Careers@Execareers.net or call toll free: 877-610-6810.

Best way to start is to send along your resume; I'll call you with personal feedback at no charge or obligation, and go over how we can help!

 

Send to Careers@Execareers.net

 

Steve