Resume 303 (or CV 303 if You Like)

The "So What" Test

So you've got this resume.  Who has to be happy with it?

Sometimes good people suddenly find themselves on the outside looking in. If this is you, take a step back and look in the mirror to see who you have to please.  There is no right or wrong and you do not have to keep it to two pages!   If it tells your story, the way you want it told, you are good to go.  If you're not sure and want some reasonable advice; read on.

Most CV readers initially want to know what you've done, where you've done it (and when), and what you accomplished while you were there.  On the second pass they will want to know scale and scope; both of these are likely discovery items on the initial call.  The third pass, or in the interview they will likely want to know the challenges you faced and how you handled them.  They will want to know what "you" did and how "you" did it; specifically.

So how do you this?

Make a chronological CV. Put your name, mailing address, home, mobile, and email address at the top.  List company, title, your physical location, and the from - to dates. Make sure you have indicated your responsibilities and your accomplishments for each of your roles. Double check for date overlap and use months and years to list "from - to" periods. It's helpful to know the size of your business unit, not just the size of the entire company. List the year you earned your degrees or certifications.  Once you have your CV the way YOU want it put it down and get some exercise.  When you're back, look it over again and pay particular attention to the bulleted accomplishments and ask, "So what?"  If you don't like your answer then rewrite or change until you do.  Repeat...

Trust me on this. In a separate document take four or five of your most prized career accomplishments and go a step further so you are ready to talk about them during an interview.  Think:

• Situation - describe the challenges you faced when you started the role. Put them in context of the company within the industry, you within the company, and you within the role.
• Actions - describe what YOU did, and more importantly, how YOU did it. Do not use "we;" use "I" and be specific.
• Results - list your specific accomplishments and tie them back to the business situation so the significance is highlighted.

Take another break and get some more exercise.

As you look at these "SARs" your "competencies" should be apparent. Did you use best practices in each case? Did you really drive results? Did you display superb team leadership in every case? Were you focused on serving your customers in the best possible way? Focus on these because they can be a real discriminator.  Prepare mentally to go into further detail; know the numbers (or approximate so you don't give away secrets).

Now on to the interview.

Your goal is to have the interviewer fall in love; be yourself, but make sure they fall in love. The first meeting is for the interviewer; get comfortable with that. When you do have a chance for questions, stick to role and responsibility; make sure it's right. If you have comfort there, and are invited back, the next meeting is for you. During the second meeting look very closely at people and resources. If you like the role, it has the appropriate level of responsibility, you like the people, and think you will have the resources to be successful, then there is probably a good fit.

Which will be our next topic...

In all cases, trust your gut because your heart and your head will lie to you...