Recently I read an interesting blog titled Resumes Are Out! Although I agree that a well written resume does focus on “what” a candidate’s work experience, achievements and education are, I have to disagree that the “how” of the candidate is totally absent in a resume. Or should I say in my resumes?
All of my resumes include details of my client’s hard skills, (the “what) but also included is their soft skills (the “how”). “How” they interact with others, perform in a team environment, deal with customers and solve problems. Excerpts from two of my client’s resumes are as follows:
“Highly-successful, results-driven, well-respected senior business driver who establishes the foundations for operational excellence and outperforms the competition. Customer focused, devises and delivers solutions, change agent, visionary, capable of critically analyzing the market and responding to diverse issues. Thrives on challenges and working in a fast-paced environment. Articulate, tactful and diplomatic communicator, fearless net worker, who builds productive rapport with persons of all levels and cultures. Hands-on team leader, mentor and motivator. Identifies team’s dynamics for operational excellence and instils confidence in all stakeholders to succeed and deliver.
“Dedicated, empathic and challenge driven leader with an outstanding record of providing exemplary work within a structured and fiscally responsible environment. Exudes energy and confidence to excel and motivate, builds profitable rapport with senior management, peers, staff, clientele and other stakeholders. Project and goal oriented; recognized for providing the tools for staff to deliver and succeed. Patient and methodical; reviews projects and issues with respect to viability, theoretically and academically. Articulate and effective communicator in three languages: English, Italian and Spanish.”
The “who” is not as easy to “write” but that is what an interview is for, not a resume! A professionally written resume has one purpose and that is to entice the reader to call you for a job interview. At that time the hiring professional has received a detailed “what” and “how” background of the potential candidate and is impressed with the candidate’s achievements and qualifications and has the opportunity to discover “who” (attitude, values, beliefs) the candidate is.
Most professional hiring processes involve a series of interviews and, although my resumes are exceptional, I have not had a client hired without any further due dilengence other than the perusal of their resume. No one is expecting, regardless of how well written it is, that words alone could possibly be enough information to hire an employee.
As a Professional Certified Resume Writer, many of my closest colleagues are Executive Recruiters and I can assure you that an enticing resume is a key factor in sourcing any potential candidate for a position.