Why is a resume so important? They can see how good I am when they interview me!
Resumes aren’t like real life. Say we meet at a party or a business conference. We smile, we shake hands. For any reason, logical or illogical, we either instinctively like each other—or we don’t! We have had the advantage though of meeting, being seen, communicating and deciding where to go from there. Good manners stops us sneering and walking past if we’re not interested. The same doesn’t apply in the world of job seeking.
Your character, skills, experience and ability to do the job comes down to words on paper.
Words stand between you and the interview for the job of your dreams. If that document doesn’t gel, if that document is poorly presented or repetitious, then you can’t win over anyone. Your application and your dreams have been rejected, and you haven’t even met the employer!
Your resume needs to provide a powerful, attention-grabbing message; quickly and with great strength, your personal brand needs to be established. You need to convey your skills, achievements, background and qualifications to a word-weary recruiter, who has seen it all a thousand times before.
What won’t this book do for me?
Creating a resume using this book will not open doors for you by itself. Your resume, broadcast letter, or networking contact is the door opener with recruiters and hiring authorities. A good resume can help you solidify a recruiter’s initial interest, but your credentials themselves must ignite the initial curiosity, and you must ensure you have an integrated job search campaign which includes newspaper advertisements, internet searches, cold calling, and creating your own opportunities by networking among friends, associates, and industry contacts.
A good resume is not a substitute for interviewing skills or the quality of your professional network. You will focus your telephone and personal interviews primarily on your prospect and their business needs. When the conversation comes around to you and your abilities, you need to quickly and impressively illustrate your talents and accomplishments. The primary determining factors for your success will still be how well your skills match the company’s needs and how well you interview. If you are running a close race with another candidate, a good resume, cover letter and thank you letter can put you a nose ahead, but you still have to run the overall race like a winner.
In what formats can I view your book?
PS…You Need a Resume can be downloaded as an ebook or purchased as a soft cover paperback. The ebook includes digital rights management (DRM) which means you can’t buy it once and give it away to 500 of your closest friends. Both paperback and ebook versions can be purchased from Lulu.com. Visitors from Australia can also acquire the paperback version from our website here
Can I get my money back if I don’t get an interview?
Job-seeking is a complex activity based on so many variables that it is impossible to guarantee a successful outcome. Having a great resume won’t necessarily get you in the door if your experience isn’t a fit, if you have worked for a company recruiters or competing employer’s don’t like, if you’re the 250th application received that day or your application is three weeks late. However, if you find you’re not getting any interviews after applying all you’ve read, send your revamped resume to Gayle and she will review your work personally to give you some extra pointers free of charge.
These guys know me, it’s just a formality (isn’t it?)
The people who recommend you are your greatest allies into getting your foot in the door. Imagine the shock on the face of the decision-makers if you walked into interview wearing a gorilla suit. Or you jogged in wearing sweats and a head band. Still have the job “in the bag” now? No, a recommendation and a call in for interview gives you a leg up, but you have to seal the deal by being and acting like a true professional. Arrive at interview with the best resume, business clothes, shoes shined and a confident attitude. Make the people who recommended you proud.