Is your professional resume telling employers the wrong story - part 2

August 10, 6:37 PMDC Resumes ExaminerAbby Locke

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Ever received an email or a letter in the mail and after reading it, you were left scratching your head because it was not clear what the writer was trying to convey? Well, if your professional resume is not carefully written with the right audience in mind, you could be getting that same reaction from potential employers and recruiters.

In last week’s column, I reminded you that getting your professional resume in the hands of everyone you meet is less important than having the “right” resume in the hands of key decision makers. When someone reads your resume, he/she should be getting the full scope of your background, experience, career achievements and value proposition in a powerful storytelling format. However, your resume story can get significantly diluted when it is communicating the wrong story and confusing the reader.

Always remember that your professional resume is a strategic marketing document and the product you are selling is YOU. At first glance (generally within 30 seconds) the reader should be introduced to who and be informed on the value you bring to the table; if this information is carefully communicated in the professional profile or executive summary section, you are off to a great start with your resume.

If you are unsure of your job target or immediate career goals, a generic resume is not going to help you – only a focused, targeted resume will convince hiring managers that you are the right person for the job.

Which one of these candidates would you trust as your next CFO?

Candidate A: By training and professional experience, highly qualified in financial and strategic management of business in many industries.

Candidate B: Performance-driven finance executive with deep expertise in spearheading initiatives that strengthen internal infrastructure, expand revenue-generating capabilities, and maximize ROI for startup and high-growth companies.

Clearly, the second candidate stands out more – take a close look at the professional summary on your resume, does it help you to create a strong first impression?