How to Avoid the Chronological Obituary
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| Title: | How to Avoid the Chronological Obituary | |
| Author: | Jay Block | |
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The Job Transition Process
The job transition process is composed of five distinct components. First you must have a clear and concise job objective. Second, you must have the right tools to land the right job – and that includes a compelling resume. The third component is developing an effective job campaign strategy, the fourth is honing your job search skills including networking and interviewing, and the fifth component is maintaining a positive and confident attitude throughout the entire process. This essay will address the only part of the job transition process that you have 100% control over – the resume.
The Resume
Can you imagine Coca Cola trying to package its products to look like and blend in with Pepsi? Can you imagine Toyota trying to package its line of automobiles and trucks to look like and blend in with its competition? In any competitive market, the winners stand out and the losers blend in. And here’s the real irony. It doesn’t much matter which product is best. What matters most is which product is most recognized and accepted by the consumer. When it comes to the US and global labor market, where competition for good jobs is fierce, most people are competing with resumes that simply don’t stand out.
Chronological Obituaries
Most resumes are assembly line, look-alike documents often referred to as chronological obituaries. These traditionally accepted, but seldom effective, resumes assume that prospective employers are interested in a candidate’s work biography. They are not. Traditional look-alike resumes are dull, unexciting, and communicate the same mundane information as most other resumes. They say to the prospective employer, “I don’t know my value and I don’t know how I can best benefit your company. So, please read my assembly line biography, that I quickly threw together, and see where I might fit into your future plans.”
You Have Trained and Invested Too Much to Fall Short
You are a highly educated professional who has invested years training your mind and honing your skills. If you are like many in your profession, you have spent more than 20 years in academia and countless hours studying, researching, and working on your vocation outside the formal classroom. Indeed, the sad reality is that unless you master the art of self promotion, who will know about you? How will you attract the best jobs that are worthy of your abilities? How will you stand out from the thousands of other candidates vying for the same job you want? You have trained and invested too much to fall short of your career goals.
Resume Development – The Power of the Written Word
A resume is a document that communicates clearly and precisely what results you can produce. You must begin writing the resume with the ‘reader’ in mind. What MUST prospective employers see on your resume that will get them enthused about your candidacy? What MUST prospective employers see on your document that will inspire them to want to interview you?
In today’s hectic society, you have about 10-15 seconds, at most, to make a powerful first impression. An effective resume needs to address the following 4 questions quickly and effectively:
The 5 Benefits to Investing in Your Resume
No doubt, you did not approach your studies or your profession casually. Don’t treat your resume casually either. By working hard on your resume, you will achieve 5 major benefits:
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Jay Block is a best selling author and career advisor. Among other titles, he has written 202 Great Resumes, 101 Best Cover Letters, Great Answers for the Interview, and 2500 Keywords to Get You Hired. He is a co-founder of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. www.jayblock.com |
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Copyright, 2006, Jay Block Published with permission |
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