Are you bragging about yourself enough on your resume? I don't mean bragging in an obnoxious or fictitious sort of way, but in a "look what I can do" sort of way.
One of the main things I notice with my clients and their existing resumes is that they don't BRAG enough about their accomplishments. They don't talk enough about what they've done above and beyond their daily responsibilities.
My data mining process is very C.A.R.- oriented. The C.A.R. methodology is this: Challenge, Action, Results. What Challenge did you face? What Action did you take to rectify it? And lastly, what were the Results? It is a very accomplishment-focused method and works wonderfully every time I have a client who can’t verbalize his/her achievements enough. When I ask clients to write these down, I am amazed at the achievements that come pouring out. Why was it so hard to get this VITAL information out of them? I ask each client this. The response is generally the same -- either, "I didn't know how to word it" or "I didn't want to sound like a braggart.” Many of us were raised to be humble about our accomplishments, not to be boastful. Remember, though, if you don’t let the reader know of your successes, then why would they hire you? How do you stand out in the pile of candidates?
Here are a few tips about bragging in a non-bragging way to get yourself noticed:
1) List your daily responsibilities clearly in your narrative under the job title. Even the ones you think aren't worth mentioning. If there are too many for more than a 5 or 6 line paragraph, then summarize.
2) Think of each task you did that made a difference. Potential employers LOVE to hear how you saved your last company money or drove revenue by 43%, etc. For example: “Currently implementing a new sales method that will eliminate 6 trucks from the road and save company $45,000/year.”
3) Add the accomplishment, even if it has a negative undertone or you were fighting challenging conditions. For example: “Despite negative sales growth in Michigan's harsh economic climate, met the challenge of producing positive topline growth successfully while managing net revenue and contributing to margin gains.”
See how this one sounded? Even though my client struggled the last 2 years and saw a -2.2% sales decrease, to her company this was still a good result due to Michigan's dismal economic climate.
4) Your resume is the place to SELL YOURSELF. You are the product. What would you buy? The new 'OKAY' car model that has all the basics and does its job but has nothing super special about it? Or would you buy the 'WOW, THIS CAR IS AWESOME' car that is fully loaded, has a mini fridge in the dash, and wings to automatically make you airborne if traffic looks too heavy? The 'WOW' car may cost you a bit more, but isn't it worth it? You have to sell yourself and turn yourself into the 'WOW' car. You have what it takes, you just need to put it on paper.
I hope this helps you rethink that bland little 'Just OK' statement, "streamlined processes and increased productivity" with something more 'WOW!'. Let's face it, we all want the WOW! car.
So does the employer.
~ Erin Kennedy
Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 8 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for professionals in every industry and every career level. As a proud member of PARW, CDI, AORCP, Erin also sits on CDI’s Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates.
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