The Power of Words

Mark Twain taught us..."The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter -- 'tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."

When it comes to resume writing and interviewing, you will want to give serious consideration to each and every word you choose to speak about you and your brand. Intentionally select words that will align yourself (you the product) with the employer's needs.

Before you put together your resume, or before you hit the streets to interview, do your word homework. This activity is vitally important because the very words that you use on paper and in person telegraph to the employer that you "get it" or that you don't. And hopefully, you "get" what their needs are and have crafted a document that proves without question why you can do the job you say you're interested in doing. The same holds true for interviewing; when you go to an interview, speak with words that best relate to the job you're after.

For years, when I have asked clients to tell me three words that best describe them, I repeatedly hear this trio: 1. loyal  2. honest  3. hardworking. Imagine for a moment that you're the hiring manager...how many hundreds (or thousands) of times do you think you have heard these very words? These words, while good words, are not the best words to describe the unique, distinct, one and only you. To be sure, you will not distinguish yourself from your competition by echoing what others have already said.

If you are describing your brand with the same ole, same ole words, now is the time to find some new and improved descriptors. Deliberately choose words for your resume and interview that prove to the reader, or listener, that you can do the job. When you are responding to a job posting, carefully scrutinize and analyze the opportunity for its keywords. The employer is giving you a few hints; take heed of the words they're offering. Have you included any of their words in your resume, or in your interview with them?

Here are three resources that you may find helpful in finding alternative word choices to describe you and your brand, if you are struggling to figure it out:

1. Occupational Outlook Handbook

2. O*net Online

3. Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus: Updated & Expanded 2nd Edition

Fired. Mired. Tired. Hired. Words are but the vague shadows of the volumes we mean. Little audible links, they are, chaining together great inaudible feelings and purposes ~ Theodore Dreiser, 1900.

posted by: billiesucher