Clients, friends, peers, and relatives always ask me what my beliefs are when it comes to resumes. After having been downsized twice in six months and out of a job for 10 and half months, I know a good amount about both the good and the bad.

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	A resume will not get you a job; it gets you an interview.

You have to remember that a resume is no different than a player card is to a professional athlete -- both depict the positive attributes of their subject. Your mission when writing your resume is simply this: to get your foot in the door.

A resume will not get you a job; it gets you an interview. And for each job application, you must rewrite your resume. No two jobs are the same, so why would you use the same resume for two different jobs?

In my previous articles, I have explained some ways that you can improve your image and your psychology so that you can feel better during these trying times. This week, I want to put some nuggets in your bag and dispel resume rumors while also giving you some information to help you rewrite your resume and get a better job.

Myth Number One

A good resume and cover letter will get me the job I want.

Resumes and cover letters do not get jobs -- they advertise for interviews. As I mentioned above, the resume is nothing more than a campaign towards an interview.

Myth Number Two

The candidate with the best schooling, skills, and experience will always get the position.

There are many factors that are considered during the hiring process. Yes, skills and schooling are among them, but there are other factors such as personality, analytical skills, and desire. During the interview, your job is to illustrate all of the strengths that you bring to the table.

Myth Number Three

You should always close a cover letter with, "I look forward to hearing from you."

Never! Even in times of low unemployment, expecting the recipient to take the initiative is unrealistic. It is imperative that you take the initiative. If you want the job, then you must go after it.

In a manner of speaking, you are the sales person that is trying to sell your services. One trick here is to send the letter to the hiring manager and get the assistant’s name. In the letter to the manager, include the following: "I will call you on [insert day] morning to discuss my background with you. If this is not an appropriate time, can you have [insert the assistant’s name] tell me a more suitable day?”

This is aggressive, but if you want the job, then you must go for it!

Myth Number Four

The more resumes you send out, the more you increase your chances of getting a job.

Do not believe all the advertisements that you see in the paper saying that 1,000 resumes got someone 25 interviews and 7 offers. This does not work. Research, perseverance, calling, and following up will get you the desired job. The job campaign is work, too.

Drew Stevens works with organizations and individuals that want to increase productivity and revenue.

Myth Number Five

Once you send your resume, all you can do is wait.

You must take the initiative and follow up with the decision maker. Refer to myth three above for tips on following up.

Nuts and Bolts

Your resume is your sales tool for where you want to go. Don't let it be just a snapshot of where you have been. Many people believe that the resume is meant to be a chronological history of your life, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

You want to list several items in your resume so that they immediately stand out to the hiring manager. First, you want to place a summary of your strengths under your contact information. This paragraph should consist of two to four very short sentences that depict your personality, your management style, and your work ethic. For example, my own statement read, “A proven and polished business professional possessing 17 years of experience in both the domestic and international markets. Multitasked with the ability to establish instant and meaningful client rapport and noted for attention to detail and for consistently exceeding sales and management objectives. Many of my achievements over the years involve the need for an entrepreneurial spirit to begin several start-up projects that have resulted in significant revenue increases, joint ventures, and increases in shareholder value.” Such an opening enables a hirer to look at you as a person and determine what sets you apart from other candidates.

Second, using one-word replies, include a section that depicts areas of expertise. This will illustrate effective areas of achievement and work ethic.

Third, list your last three to four positions. I do not want you to list everything that you did; your statement of tasks must include a benefit statement. Remember, this is a sales brochure. As an example, if you were an office manager, you want to state that you were tasked with ordering office supplies while effectively negotiating with numerous supply chain vendors and ensuring the safety and comfort of all staff personnel. This sounds much better than simply saying that you managed a staff of six people and ordered supplies.

Lastly, I suggest that you list not only your education, but also any specific commendations, certificates, or awards. This is the last chance (if the interviewer gets this far) to illustrate to the company why you should be interviewed, so make this your best effort.

I mentioned earlier that you must rewrite your resume for each and every company that you want an interview for. Coke and Pepsi come up with new campaigns for each demographic they want to sell to, and you should, too.

Until next week, rewrite that resume and get the job of your dreams.

About the Author

Drew Stevens works with organizations and individuals that want to increase productivity and revenue. Drew is a contributing editor to Sales and Marketing Excellence and North County News and assists businesses and individuals with business and career issues. To contact Drew, call 877-391-6821 or email him at drew@drewstevensinc.com.

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