First impressions can be powerful - powerfully good or equally devastating! No doubt you know this. When planning to meet someone new, you likely shine your shoes, press your shirt or blouse, and maybe even send your trousers or skirt to the cleaners. Whether a blind date, first day on the job, or heading to an interview, you aim to make a good, no, great first impression.
Did you stop to think that, when applying to new jobs, it is actually your resume that creates your first impression? Do clothes make the man? Famous humorist Mark Twain coined that phrase. The humor is in the rest of the quote, and it is usually left off these days: "Naked people have little or no influence on society." You can see why it's best left unsaid! Humor often contains truth, and I can say with resolve (and with a knowing smile), that a resume that seems naked, does not generate a favorable first impression, and has little or no influence!
In fact, I recently met with a recruiter who shared her technique for evaluating resumes. "Stephanie," she said, "when faced with a huge stack of resumes, and two hours in which to choose maybe 20 for a closer read, I often toss resumes out with a cursory glance." Yikes, that's pretty radical, but also very standard in busy Human Resource departments. As a resume writer I too see a lot of resumes, and most of the resumes I see are bare bones, and have no power to influence.
Many use that popular two column template: Lots of white space in the left hand column, lots of nothing in the right hand column. I think it's popular because with so little space for content, people think they can at least somewhat fill one column. Some create documents from scratch, but again, the content is sadly bare of influential reasons to call for an interview.
What can you do to create a well-dressed, polished "look"? Here are a few ideas.
- Ditch the template. 95% of job-hunters use templates. Distinguish yourself from the masses by creating your own document. Find ideas on-line and in books. Yes, it takes time, but it's your career that benefits.
- Learn to use Word software to some degree of proficiency. Again, the internet and library or bookstore are your best resources. And again, it is your career, your future earnings and your family's welfare that will benefit from this extra effort.
- Give yourself a headline. It can be as simple as the position title that you are applying to. This headline serves two purposes: it confirms which position you are applying for, that you are not in the wrong stack of resumes; and it sets up a subliminal expectation in the mind of the recruiter. Of course the expectation must be backed up with facts in order to have impact. But it is a good beginning. The headline is like the tie with a suit, or that special piece of jewellery that you save for the interviews; I feel it gives the resume a touch of class.
- Pay close attention to the details. Spacing, font sizes, indents-all of these make an immediate impact on the eye. Your resume can look elegantly formatted, or haphazardly thrown together. You can't claim to be "detail oriented" if your resume shows that you don't know what detail is!
- Change up the headings to fit who you are and what you offer. Get creative. Instead of the overused "Work History" here are a few others: Sales Experience, Engineering Know-how at Work, Tool and Die Details, Filming Production Experience, Improv Initiatives, Teaching Kids.
- Make sure your resume is true-to you, real, authentic; therein lies the power of a resume.
Don't "cut and paste." Don't use titles that do not suit your character. Do delve into the contributions you've made, the initiatives you undertook, and the recognition you gained. Share your achievements, your unique value and offer a glimpse into your personality.
Don't doubt for a second that a truly outstanding resume can impact the details of a job offer, including starting salary. A resume undoubtedly makes an impression. Remember those sage words from Mark Twain, naked people and naked resumes have little or no influence.
Stephanie Clark, a respected leader on the resume scene, is owner of New Leaf Resumes. Recipient of four awards for outstanding resumes in the Career Professionals of Canada 2008 and 2010 Awards of Excellence. Cover letters in print in Joyce Lain Kennedy's latest book on cover letters (2009).
New Leaf's clients, serious about managing their careers, appreciate working with a leading professional. Stephanie invites you to visit her website at http://www.newleafresumes.com for more information. Or call toll-free at 855-550-5627, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm ET.
Stephanie Clark, BA, CRS, CIS, CCS
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