You Got Screened
Kent R.
Q. I received an unscheduled call from a recruiter that lasted only about 15 minutes. He asked very targeted questions. I have not heard a peep since? What’s going on? Did I just fail the interview?
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Our blog and podcast dive into the real stories and everyday strategies behind building a No Vacation Required life. We challenge outdated norms, share fresh perspectives, and explore what it means to find fulfillment right now—in a world that rarely makes it easy.
Save Some For The Interview
Kent R.
Your resume needs to be accomplishment focused, but it should not be a comprehensive listing of everything you have achieved. Instead, your resume should more of a “highlights reel.” Think of it this way... If movie previews showed every key moment – if every plot turn were clearly laid out – you would have no reason to go see that movie. And most of us have experienced the disappointment that comes when you see a movie and leave thinking, “bummer, everything worth seeing was in the preview.”
Your resume is no different. If you dump everything into the resume, you loose the ability to surprise your interviewer. Worse, you may not even get the interview because you have not created any curiosity gaps – those strategic questions that make readers want to learn more.
Is your resume not only highlighting the best of your accomplishments but also compelling the interviewer to learn more?
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Desperation Is Not Attractive
Kent R.
Many people seek help with a job search only when they become desperate. For these people, networking and following up on resumes only becomes important when the situation is dire.
Read MoreHow Do I Communicate My Creativity
Kent R.
In today's employment environment, a straight-forward, accomplishment-rich resume is king. It should be modern and professional without veering into an overly designed showpiece. I always suggest that candidates in creative fields have a second resume or, perhaps, a "leave behind" that shows their creative skill set.
Read MoreDon’t Tell Me Who You Are, Show Me Who You Are
Kent R.
Here’s the thing, many resumes include terms like "hard worker" and "fast learner." The problem is not that these things are not true, it’s that they are so boilerplate and overused that they can actually work against you. Readers will likely see them as “fluff” so limit using them – especially if you are beyond an Entry Level candidate.
Read MoreThe Problem With Listing References On A Resume
Kent R.
I have shared before that it is not a good idea to list references – or even the phrase “references available upon request” – on your resume.Since this question comes up quite a bit, I thought I would share why .
Read MorePersonal Branding
Kent R.
“Companies don’t care about your personal brand.” When I read this on a popular job forum the other day, my initial reaction surprised me. I thought to myself, “that is absolutely right, companies don’t care about your personal brand.” Certainly not what you would expect to hear from someone who – in this very blog – strongly promotes having a personal brand.
Read MoreBe Thankful, Not Aggressive
Kent R.
A recent client, who has been receiving quite a bit of positive response from his new resume, had a great question about sending post-interview thank you letters. He wanted to know if he should thank everyone with whom he interviewed (including members of the sales team). He also wanted to know if it was appropriate to send both an email thank you and a physical thank you note.
Read MoreCuriosity Gaps and the Power of Discovery
Kent R.
I read a fascinating article last week that took the discussion about personal marketing to a whole new level. The article – The Surprising Secret to Selling Yourself – asserted some ideas that I have been promoting on this site for some time. A truly effective resume strikes just the right balance between presenting a solid track record of success and communicating potential. If you read my blog, you know that your resume needs to include specific, quantifiable achievements. For most readers, that concept is disruptive enough. So the idea that your resume needs to also create some strategic curiosity gaps can be too much. In fact, you may be thinking that those two ideas are mutually exclusive. However, a resume that achieves both is going to be incredibly compelling. Here’s why:
Discovery is exciting: When it comes to hiring, the thought that you may have found someone with untapped potential and someone who is going to be a rock star in her / his new role is a pretty exciting idea. By creating some strategic curiosity gaps on your resume – those questions in readers’ minds that make them want to learn more via an interview – you allow for that feeling of discovery.
Quantifiable accomplishments reduce risk: Potential is a powerful selling point, but without some track record of success, the risk can simply seem too high. A bad hire is a costly error. If you can show – by sharing clear achievements – that you have made a positive impact in the past, you reduce the perceived risk and allow the reader to take a more calculated gamble.
Your best is yet to come: No one wants to bring in someone whose best days are behind him or her. No matter how successful you’ve been, you need to leave space for something even greater in the future. Take the iPhone for example. The product was an initial hit because it united Apple’s track record of quality and design excellence with potential. That same powerful combination continues to make the iPhone an incredible success.
Have a look at your resume. Are you balancing clear accomplishments with some compelling curiosity gaps? Are you communicating that – despite your success – your best work is yet to come? I’ll be honest, that balance is not easy to achieve. On the plus side, those that do achieve it will stand out in an increasingly competitive job market.
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Stop Wasting Valuable Resume Space On Company Bios
Kent R.
Remember, the resume is your personal marketing document. While it is important that readers are familiar with the organizations with which you have worked, it is far more important that they be focused on the value that you bring.
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