Resume

You have to have a resume. That's not news but what you need may be. Of course you need a printed resume you can mail or leave behind at job fairs or take with you to an interview. You also need an electronic version you can attach to emails or post on job boards. And, you probably want two versions: a functional version and a chronological version. If you do it right, that's only two versions because your electronic and printed version of the functional version and chronological version can be essentially the same. You may also need a Web version but we will cover that in another post.

A legacy resume is an historic document. It describes what you did in the past. What you really need is a document that tells employers what you can do in the future. But employers, particularly the gatekeepers, want to start with a resume. You have to start there.

That doesn't mean you have to start from the past. Start from the future. What do you want to do? What value does that bring to a prospective employer. This is the point where it gets even crazier. Look at most job descriptions and they will talk about skills -- what tools do you know how to use -- and personality -- outgoing, effective communicator, good negotiator, mentor, etc. What they really want to know is can you get the job done which is probably more a matter of how you approach a consulting assignment that either of these other metrics.

The bit about describing the tools you know is a matter of buzzword bingo. I'll come back to that in a minute. Have a section in your resume that says something like: competent in the use of (whatever the tools of your trade are.) The gatekeepers who are the first to review you resume will look for these.

As you begin your job search, pay attention to the personality skills employers mention. In my area communication is important. In my resume I list projects where communication is a key element in the project and I point that out. I also offer examples of written material. Find roles, projects, tasks, etc., that demonstrate that you have the personality skill. You can't just say, "I am a terrific communicator, negotiator, cold caller, whatever."

The meat of your resume is what you have done that is relevant to what the employer needs to have done. What do you want to do in the future. Your job is to describe yourself so that someone who has a need for somebody like you will recognize it immediately. I have two functional resumes. One continues my historic track. The second takes what I have done and rephrases it to show its value for my new track. Describe your experience so that the reader can say: the people I know what have done what I need have had similar experience. This person can get the job done.

If you submit your resume to a job board or recruiter it will probably be put in a computer where it will be searched for the buzzwords the hiring manager has used. About 80% of the time these are no-brainers. As an example: must be familiar with Microsoft Word or whatever the basic tools of your trade are. But there may be multiple ways to describe essentially the same thing: vendor, outsourcer, third party, contractor. And it gets even more complex when you add short phrases. I have have a three page resume -- the generally accepted maximum length. I have added a fourth page that has buzzwords that are variations on the terms in my resume including re-phrasing of phrases: vendor selection, selection of vendors. I then highlight that page and set the type to white. In a hard copy it now looks like an accidental blank page at the end of the resume. But, to the computer it just looks like a fourth page. The number of reviews of my resume jumped almost three time when I added that page. In an age of machines and people you have to do what people want and what machines want. This is not about what you want; it is about doing what you need to do (ethical and legal) that will get you a job.

If your resumes are in Microsoft Word you can print them, attache it to email, and submit it job boards. In the functional version play your long suits or special skills.

In your chronological version go back ten plus years to a good stopping point (change of employers or title.) Nobody cares much about what you did before then. If you have been in the same general area for more than 20 years, say "more than 20 years experience in ..." If you say you have been there for 50 years you immediately raise the question of just how old it this guy? Don't put dates on anything other than your dates of employment for the last 10 to 15 years. If you participate in any sport that can demonstrate fitness, figure out a way to mention it. Employers are not supposed to discriminate but avoid the issue. They are really hiring you for what you can do. Don't lie. If you have been in a line of business for 30 years it is true that you have more than 20 years experience.

Be prepare to re-write your resume as your learn what employers are looking for.