If someone who did not know you read your resume, what information would she take away? Would she be able to articulate any of the following?
- What skills you have
- What you have accomplished in your career
- What your experiences demonstrate
- What kind of job you would be ideal for
What’s the Story Your Resume is Telling?
A good resume tells your story. It demonstrates where you have been, what you have accomplished, the skills you have developed and the achievements you have made. Would a person reading your resume hear your story? Better yet, would that person be able to articulate it back to you… or to someone else, like a hiring manager?
Many of us feel our resumes are extremely clear and accurately demonstrate our skills. Often times, we are too close to the information to objectively look at our resume and see the story (or lack of a story) it portrays.
Solicit an Objective Opinion
Having an objective viewpoint is essential in knowing how someone will interpret your resume. Follow these steps for soliciting that viewpoint:
- Give your resume to a friend or relative who hasn’t seen it before.
- Ask your friend to read it over thoroughly.
- Once she is done, ask her to tell you what skills, achievements, and experiences are highlighted.
Additionally, you could ask your friend/relative to look at the job description you are applying for and if you are a good fit for the job. Warning: the answers might surprise you! If so, ask for some feedback, make some changes to your resume and repeat the process with someone else.
Want to share your tips for resume reviews? Leave it in our comments section below!
Amy Wolfgang
Amy Wolfgang is a career coach who founded Wolfgang Career Coaching and co-founded Coaching 4 Good. She brings over 15 years of corporate and coaching experience to help organizations boost employee engagement while simultaneously helping her clients excel in their careers. She is a certified PCM (Professional Career Manager) and has a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin.
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