| Are you bragging about yourself enough on your | | | | that saved the company money. Readers LOVE to |
| resume? I don't mean bragging in an obnoxious or | | | | hear how you saved the company money or drove |
| fictitious sort of way, but in a "look what I can do" sort | | | | revenue by 43%, etc. For example: "Currently |
| of way. | | | | implementing a new sales method that will eliminate 6 |
| One of the main things I notice with my clients and their | | | | trucks from the road and save company $45,000 |
| existing resumes is that they don't BRAG enough | | | | year". |
| about their accomplishments. They don't talk enough | | | | 3) Add the accomplishment, even if it has a negative |
| about what they've done above and beyond their daily | | | | undertone or you were fighting challenging conditions. |
| responsibilities. | | | | For example: "Despite negative sales growth in |
| My worksheets are very C.A.R.-oriented. The C.A.R. | | | | Michigan's harsh economic climate, met the challenge |
| methodology is this: Challenge, Action, Results. What | | | | of producing positive topline growth successfully while |
| Challenge did you face? What Action did you take to | | | | managing net revenue and contributing to margin |
| rectify it? And lastly, what were the Results? It is a | | | | gains". |
| very accomplishment-focused method and works | | | | See how this one sounded? Even though my client |
| wonderfully every time I have a client who doesn't talk | | | | struggled the last 2 years and saw a -2.2% sales |
| enough. When I send these out to clients, I am amazed | | | | decrease, to her company this was a good thing |
| at the achievements that come pouring out. Why did it | | | | because of Michigan's dismal economic climate. |
| take sending a worksheet to get this VITAL | | | | 4) Your resume is the place to SELL YOURSELF. |
| information out of them? I ask each client this. The | | | | You are the product. What would you buy? The new |
| response is generally the same-- either, "I didn't know | | | | 'OKAY' car model that has all the basics and does it's |
| how to word it" or "I didn't want to sound like a | | | | job but has nothing super special about it? Or would |
| bragger". Many of us were raised to be humble about | | | | you buy the 'WOW, THIS CAR IS AWESOME' car |
| our accomplishments, not to be boastful. Remember, | | | | that is fully loaded, has a mini fridge in the dash, and |
| though, if you don't let the reader know of your what | | | | wings to automatically make you airborne if traffic |
| you've done, then why would they hire you? How do | | | | looks too heavy? The 'WOW' car may cost you a bit |
| you stand out from the pile of candidates? | | | | more, but isn't it worth it? You have to sell yourself and |
| Here are a few tips about bragging in a non-bragging | | | | turn yourself into the 'WOW' car. You have what it |
| way to get yourself noticed: | | | | takes, you just need to put it on paper. |
| 1) List your daily responsibilities clearly in your narrative | | | | I hope this helps you rethink that bland little 'OK' |
| under the job title. Even the ones you think aren't worth | | | | statement, "streamlined processes and increased |
| being mentioned. If there are too many for more than | | | | productivity" with something more 'WOW!'. Let's face it, |
| a 5 or 6 line paragraph, then summarize. | | | | we all want the WOW! car. |
| 2) Think of each task you did in that made a | | | | So does the employer. |
| difference, something you were praised for, something | | | | |