Your Resume Isn’t About You!

By On December 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment

As I’ve looked through a few friends’ resumes lately, I keep thinking back to an article that was sent to me this past spring.

The article talked about Leonardo da Vinci, and shared a letter he wrote in 1482 at the age of 30 to a potential “employer.”  You can read the full article here.

 The bottom line is that da Vinci didn’t share a laundry list of past achievements or list any prior employers.  He focused on the needs of the employer he was addressing.  He focused his letter around the benefits that he would provide to his potential employer, specifically thinking about that individual’s needs.  This concept still holds true, although we may still include some historical information, since that’s generally expected.

Your resume should be customized for each each potential employer.

It should talk about how your qualifications are well-suited for the specific position, and how you will be successful in that role.  It should also have a bit of your personality in it.

When creating bullet points under past employers, instead of thinking about the job you did and what you accomplished, think of it in terms of the person reading it – how does each bullet point apply to the candidate they’re looking for?  If customer service isn’t applicable, don’t include it.  Likewise, with each job in general – list those that are relevant and add additional points around those that are most applicable.  List each employer if you don’t want to leave holes, but don’t add bullet points just to add them; only include those that are applicable to the potential employer.

If you haven’t worked many places that are applicable, then make your resume more “skill based.”  List the main attributes you have that will add the most value to the employer, then list under each of the overarching skills the ways that you have demonstrated these, and if you’re hired, what you will do within each of those skill sets.

With your resume and especially your cover letter make it “solutions focused.”  What need does the company have with this position?  What are they trying to accomplish (based on what you can read/see)?  How can you help them accomplish those goals?  Talk about your unique ability and skill set and how it directly equates to your success and value add within each position you apply for.

Employers have a minimal amount of time and you need to print only what is relevant to them, not what YOU want to talk about.

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