Better Than You Need to Be

Author: The Career Passion® Coach |

Blog by The Career Passion® Coach

I’ve been writing a lot of resumes lately. It seems everyone wants to step out and up a level to a better position this year.

I collaborate with my clients, polishing every word and statement in a resume. As we write together, I find myself asking, “How were you different and better than others in the same job?” It’s a tough question that gives most people pause.

You were better than you needed to be.

Seth Godin, in his weekly blog, reminds us that every element of an organization has a spec, a minimum required performance. Accounting has standards, and so does the department that measures quality.

Everything beyond that is marketing.

Your resume is your primary marketing document. Rather than a boring listing of your responsibilities, it should come alive with the ways you are different and better. These are also the 5 elements that companies are seeking the most:

Contribution

Innovation

initiative

Talent

Passion

If you want to grow, it is the extra effort that will take you there. Finding that EXTRA in yourself is finding the essence of your brand. When you write a great resume, you are recounting what is extra.

For each of your positions, you should ask these 5 questions:

  1. How did you do the job differently than the others in the same job? [Contribution]
  2. Did you create or bring innovations to your job, the process, your work duties, or your business tools in some lasting way? [Innovation]
  3. What assignment(s) did you volunteer for beyond your job responsibilities? [Initiative]
  4. Did your coworkers look to you for some special knowledge, talent or ability? [Talent]
  5. What did you enjoy about the work? [Passion]

Then, write those things on your resume. I promise it makes for better reading, more interviews, and ultimately job offers.

On your side,

Catherine Jewell
The Career Passion® Coach

PS: If you’re stuck on your resume, take the process into the dialog. Let a professional mine your experience for the achievements that define you. If you’d like to explore the possibility of a new Brand – expressed in your Resume and LinkedIn Profile—set up a time to talk with me using this link.

PPS: Seth Godin is an amazing thought leader. I think you would enjoy following him.


Categories: Career Coach , Career Coaching , Career Counseling , Career Strategy , Career Testing , Electric Kitchen Composter , Food Waste Composting Machine , Home Essentials , Interview Preparation , Job Search Help , Resume Branding Statement , Resume Writing , Salary Negotiations

READ MORE BLOG ARTICLES

Top