What Do You Recommend When It Comes To Resumes?

Question:
 
Dear Cher:
I’ve been looking at various materials and websites trying to decide what format I should use for my resume. There are tons of different opinions: long or short, pictures or no pictures or even video, personalize it like a story or just outline the facts. Resume writing services offer to do it for you, but they are usually in the hundreds of dollars when you get to cost. I know you probably recommend the type you teach on your site, but when I saw “Ask Cher”, I thought I’d do it and see what you have to say. So, Cher, what do you recommend when it comes to resumes?
Bill R, Los Gatos, CA

Answer:

Dear Bill:
You are so right.  There are hundreds of choices to make when it comes time to build a new resume.  When our team gathered to assemble a resume training we could provide on the website, we each had ideas of what was critical.    The question was, could we agree on a single, straightforward method: -

• People could use easily
• Would not cost a fortune
• Could be the backbone for any other future resume development
• Would clearly present the past work successes the applicant had achieved as they relate to their desired position
• Would not sound boastful or arrogant?

It turns out we could.  We used the criteria above, and a few others. The training had to: -

• Be written in easy to understand terms
• Contain several examples of each piece of material
• Be particularly geared toward experienced job seekers
• Tell people the easy ins and outs of using a computer to your best advantage
• Remind the author what he or she is really good at

Three part resume workshop

As we researched, debated, tweaked, and finally, agreed upon the content of the three part Resume workshop, each person on the team had fully internalized, agreed upon, and was excited about the key elements of a successful resume for an experienced job seeker.  We used them religiously to write the script and develop the materials.  Following the method we have outlined, everyone who uses our training can put together a winning, success based, resume that can be easily   flexed, changed, and modified to specifically target the position they really desire.   It’s a formula for making gold, in a purposefully written format, to ensure every reader can follow it successfully. - If I sound enthusiastic about the OurExperienceCounts.com resume training, you’re right.  It’s the best I’ve ever seen, and having spent nearly 40 years in HR, I have seen alot. It’s been written, edited and narrated by a top team of Human Resources and Training professionals.  And I’m proud we can offer it.  All you need to know is in one place, with no jargon, no secrets and no pretenses. - The best news today, though, is this training will be available FREE on our website for a limited time. - For the supporters and contributors to the OurExperienceCounts.com website, the most important part of our launch is getting this resume training information out to our fellow experienced workers who need it the most, right now.  That’s why we’re giving it away for a time. The entire series "Write your Winning Resume", and the three individual workshops in the series are: -

• It's the STaRs That Get You Hired
• Creating That Winning Resume
• Targeting Your Resume - Your Personal Marketing Collateral

- Some of my friends, neighbors and colleagues have become discouraged about their job search and are seeking job search help. They aren’t motivated to continue the process.  I am challenging each of them to try one more thing as the economy seems to be gathering some strength. - Try this method of collateral (resume and related information) creation.  Look back on your years of successful work and pick out the best parts that will tell your story of accomplishments.  Build a library of STaRs, as explained in the training, and when you’re done, you’ll be ready to focus on what you really want, and have the tools to confidently communicate in resume or interview, just what makes you so certain you’re the best applicant.  You’ll be surprised and newly energized. - So, Bill, you asked for my opinion.  There it is.  Stop comparing resume styles and advice, and start with our training today.  It won’t be free forever, use it while you can and let me know about your results!

Best, Cher

Categories: Ask Cher (HR Executive), Resumes & Cover Letters, Job Search Help