by Michael Fischer

President, Group Fisher

www.groupfischer.com

The Resume: a document so revered it is spoken of in almost hushed tones. Yet, with all the devotion and careful attention poured into the creation of the resume, it truly is not worthy of the level of importance that we so often imbue it with. Don’t misunderstand me, a potential employer does need some summary information concerning who you are and what you can offer them; it is just that absolutely no one is hired based upon a nifty looking resume. A resume does not get a candidate a job, but a good one can get a job seeker an interview. Therein lies the problem for so many who toil for ponderous stretches of time over their resumes – just what is a good resume?

The greatest problem I see with the resumes that come across my desk is that typically they focus all their attention on the past experience of the candidate. "Of course," you say, but try to position yourself as an employer. As an employer, what are you interested in when attempting to hire that candidate that is going to enhance your company? Well, an employer would certainly be concentrating on the needs of their company, and how well that candidate will address those needs. You may have performed tasks a, b and c, but what can you do for the prospective employer. In other words, approach your resume discussing not so much your experience; instead, concentrate on your qualifications.

Just what is the difference between experience and qualification? Whereas experience details what you have done in the past, qualification will disclose your accomplishments, your abilities, and your transferable skills as well as your experience. A resume that details experience will discuss responsibilities, but a resume that reveals qualifications will disclose how well you do your job. In other words, a resume focusing on experience will not address the needs of an employer as effectively as one that presents a candidate’s qualifications. Taking on the point of view of the employer will enable you to see how you might be able to fill his or her needs. Broaden your personal perspective and you will broaden your horizons as well.

This brings us to the title of this article, "Awakening the Chameleon Within". A chameleon adapts to his environment by changing his color to better suit and blend into his surroundings. When changing jobs, you essentially remain who you are, but your environment is likely to change. Like this little lizard who adapts to his environment in order to survive, so must you adapt to the needs of a potential working environment. What does this mean for you, the candidate? Well, it means a bit more work, but work that will be well worth the effort.

Unless you want to limit your possibilities, chances are you will need to develop an adaptable resume, or perhaps create more than one that will address the needs of a given employer. True, this is a large undertaking, but it is preferable to sending out 100 versions of the same ineffectual resume that will fail to grab the attention of any employer. Besides, with computers today it is fairly simple to cut and paste information, in order to customize your resume when you need.

In order to write a resume to suit the needs of the employer, you will of course need to do some research to determine what the employer is seeking, and while all this seems foreboding, isn’t it the task of your resume to get the attention of that employer? Let your resume do its job, so that you may do yours.

Ernest Hemmingway once said: "The art of writing is brevity." The most common question concerning the structure of a resume is "How long should it be?" In this case, less is definitely more. Those resumes you send out by mail to a potential employer should be brief. If you can communicate your qualifications in one page, by all means do so. If, on the other hand, your background is so extensive that you would be best served with a two-page resume, continue onto another page without fear. However, do not submit epic novel-like resumes to employers. I have received resumes that are bound, and go on for more than 20 pages. If you secure an interview, and you feel it would benefit the employer to read a detailed account of your history, then you may at that time supply that employer with a more fully fleshed-out resume; but a resume professionally bound that reads like a screenplay will last only long enough to generate a good laugh as it makes its rounds around the office before being permanently filed away in the trash bin.

Each resume should begin with an objective statement. Many resumes received here either lack an objective statement, or they merely reveal a job classification – which is not the same thing as an objective. "Objective: Contracts Administrator." This communicates nothing to the reader that he will not see within the text of your resume. Worse still is that an employer cannot discern from the statement anything specific about what you are looking for and what you can provide on the job. An objective statement should address the needs of the employer right at the top of your resume. This is the first impression you will make, so take time with the wording.

I want to emphasize here, do not make the mistake of saying that you are an "Energetic Team Player, detail oriented individual seeking a promising career…" Avoid those cliches that make every employer’s eyes glaze over. These statements are trite and over used, and they are actually non-descriptive.

Let’s look closely at an example of a "Contracts Administrator." Ask yourself first what are you seeking? "To secure a position where I can utilize my 20 years…." Alright, that is good. It tells the employer where you are headed, but it doesn’t really grab the reader’s attention. Perhaps you want them to know that you are a team player, without using the team player cliche. You can circumnavigate this problem by saying that you "Seek to be a member of a team that needs…." This not only tells the employer what you are looking for, but it conveys that you are a team player without having to say it. Great, we’re building a stronger objective statement, but we still have a way to go.

A foundational element of your objective will be those skills you posses that you can use to address the needs of a potential employer. These skills are called transferable skills, because they are adaptable to various working environments. Your potential as a successful candidate is built upon these very skills. Returning to our example, you may work these skills into the objective statement this way: "Objective: To be a member of a team that needs my 10+ years of experience of meticulously supervising and negotiating cost effective contracts." This will tell the employer that you are ready and able to address their needs, in a meticulous and money saving way. Notice that the skills are stated in the active present tense, giving them a stronger sound. Also note that we used the adjective "meticulous" in the statement, lending the skills even more power. Now put this resume up against another that merely lists "Contracts Administrator" under the Objective statement and decide whose resume would get your primary attention.

Back to the structure of a resume. There is an old rule of thumb in law. If, in a case you are weak on the facts, the rule is to concentrate on the law. Conversely, if you are weak in the law, concentrate on the facts. In terms of what follows your Objective statement, apply the same rule of thumb. If you are strong on education, but not quite as strong in your employment history, start off with your educational background. On the other hand, if you are very strong in your employment history, but weaker in your educational background, then lead with your employment. Now notice something else – I did not use the word "experience". "Employment" is a less passive heading to use than is "Experience".

Within the employment section be careful not to speak in technical language that a human resources representative may not understand. Many recruiters and human resources representatives are not well versed in technical backgrounds. After all, their expertise lies in employment. Expecting someone unfamiliar with a candidate of your background to understand the technical jargon associated with it would be like expecting you to comprehend Latin had you never studied the language.

You may want to follow your Employment history with a "Qualifications" or "Skills Summary" section in your resume. It would be in this section that you would be most easily able to "change your colors" from employer to employer. If you have a computer, it would be very easy to cut and paste your skills in such a way that they expressly address the needs of the company you are sending your resume to (as seen in a job posting or newspaper ad). Again, be adaptable – market your skills to your audience.

Another suggestion is to speak the language most commonly spoken by companies. All companies speak the language of money. Attempt to find in your history a way that you had a positive affect on cash flow at the work place. Did you generate revenues? Did you meet deadlines or bring projects in under deadline dates? Did you save time or manpower? All these options equate to positive cash flow, and will speak to a company in the language that they speak best.

There are a number of "DO’s" and "DON’Ts" that one should be aware of in creating his or her resume. DO create a resume that is adaptable to change or create more than one resume to send out. DON’T get too caught up in flash design fonts, DON’T distract the employer from the content of your resume. DO strive for an organized, conservative and highly functional resume that is easy to read. DON’T be sloppy. We receive a surprising number of highly sloppy resumes, and it is not the best way to make a good first impression. DO use a type font that will be legible if scanned or faxed. Also, if you have your resume on a personal computer, DO save it in an ASCII text file – ASCII is compatible with on-line formats. DO allow for margins 1 and ½ inches wide at the sides, top and bottom of your resume. (This makes for a cleaner looking resume, and allows space for an employer to make notations.) DO use headlines and highlighting to bring attention to accomplishments, and all information deemed especially pertinent to the need of the employer. DON’T use cliches, such as "team player", and do stay away from using pre-released company job descriptions. DON’T include salary history, reasons for leaving, date of availability, names of references and detailed accounts of positions you held in the 1940’s & ‘50’s – in fact, do not give undue focus to any position you held beyond ten years ago. In regard to letters of recommendation, typically they are sent directly from the source to the employer. If this is not an option, because the individual is no longer available to you, present them at an interview. Finally, use a high quality paper – 24 pound stock, no larger than 8 ½ by 11.

Yes, it is true that a job search is a time consuming and often times complicated task, but it can be made easier. Always address the needs and concerns of the employer; after all, your primary need is to secure employment with the company you contact, and the best way to do that is to fill their needs. Remember, if that chameleon can pull off the miracle of changing the color of his skin to adapt to his environment, changing your resume to suit the needs of an employer should be a snap!