Where is your value proposition?

October 8, 6:02 PMResumes ExaminerLaura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC

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Applying to multiple jobs, but it seems that your resume is tossed aside without a second glance? It's possible that no one (except you) can see your value proposition.

I've seen countless resumes that are missing or covering up key information, leading me to believe that many job hunters just don't realize how WELL they're hiding key skills.

To avoid missing your chance to convey your strongest points, run your resume through a test (I promise it won't hurt your brain!). Get started by jotting down answers to these questions:

• What are my strongest skills - the ones that peers and competitors lack?
• What did my last performance review say about my professional reputation?
• How does my work make a difference in quality? Timeliness? Results?
• How much revenue have my employers gained as a result of my work?
• By what percentage have I improved costs? Client satisfaction? Delivery times?

Now, pull out your resume and highlight all of the information on it that corresponds to your answers. Chances are that you'll notice something missing... and you know that it needs to be put on the resume.

Next, take it a step further. Selectively rate your answers, giving the highest rankings to those that represent your top, ace-in-the-hole qualifications--the ones you want to be SURE employers don't miss.

Put these ratings next to your resume, looking at your top 3 items. Are these strengths shown in the FIRST LINE or FIRST PARAGRAPH of your resume?

If not, you now know WHY your resume isn't producing results! Get these competencies front and center where they'll be noticed.

Give your idea of the perfect resume a twist to get better results! Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC is an executive resume writer with a 98% success rate landing interviews. A columnist for Jobing.com, ExecutiveAgent, BusinessExchange, The Denver Post, LocalJobNetwork, Secrets of the Job Hunt, and others, she is the Executive Director of An Expert Resume, as well as a former recruiter whose tips on powerful, effective resume writing have helped thousands of job hunters.