Resume Writing Tips

Today I spent time with four people who have been told that due to restructuring they no longer have a job. One of these people has worked for the company for 17 years. These are tough times that force us to think in very different ways in order to survive.

When last did you review your resume? Do you have one? I've recently been very surprised at the number of people I've met who have never needed a CV. It proves the power of 'who you know' or, at least, word of mouth marketing.

These are a few thoughts about your resume that I've recently posted on my website.

Marketing Tool...or Autobiography?

One problem with writing a resume is that it's really hard to write about yourself. When we do we either don't sell ourselves enough (usually the case) or we lay it on too thick.

I really do hope you will get to write your autobiography, but I'm sorry to tell you that this is not that time! To write your resume you have to think about yourself as a product.

Think carefully about your 'special features' and who you want to notice and buy the product. Your resume needs to tell prospective employers what the product can do for them and why they should have it.

This means you should focus on the employers needs, not yours.

I recently talked to someone in car sales about this and he really helped me 'get it'. He told me that a car he sells will have a basic set of key features.

Just telling people what these are gives him, let's say, a 1 in 20 chance of selling a car.

These odds are hugely improved when he takes a little more time to assess and listen to the person on the sales floor. Then he tells them about those same features in ways that matter to them.

So, for example, an electric window is a key feature. To a mom wanting a car that will also transport children an electric window is not going to be the reason she buys the car.

Telling her about the "anti-pinch" safety mechanism that stops the window if fingers get in the way when it closes is more likely to make the sale. Same feature, different emphasis.

So, what are your key features? One of the best resume writing tips is to make sure you turn your key features into something valuable for the company you are selling yourself to.

This means you must do your homework on the company and the position advertised. And don't market the same key features to every company you apply to!

You can read my Top Ten Resume writing Tips here.