It's Not All About You

Job seekers frequently ask how to shorten their three/four-page résumé: “I’ve done so much and have so many skills; I just hate to leave anything off.” A good place to start is by recognizing that when it comes to advertising what you are “selling” (your knowledge, skills and experience) it’s not about you.

One of my clients was faced with this dilemma when we first began working together. He was trying to secure a position in the federal government and was frustrated with his lack of success in securing a “best qualified rating.”  He was proud of all he knew and all he had accomplished and wanted to share this information each time he applied, no matter what the position required.

I too am proud of all I know and all I have accomplished, but I also learned to accept the reality that it’s not about me. Jack hired me to help him apply for federal jobs. He couldn’t care less that I was also very knowledgeable and experienced in writing grants for non-profits or helping laid-off blue collar factory workers transition their skills and experience to medical office positions. He wanted to know what I knew about federal applications and what experience I had helping clients land positions with the government. 

Do I change my marketing message every time I am approached by a prospective client? You’re darned right I do!  Until I know what they want and what they need, I can’t possibly know which of my skills and experience are of particular interest to them.

Most job seekers seem to miss the mark because they mistakenly believe it is all about them – what they know, what they can do, and what they need. Don’t get me wrong; to be effective you want to proudly share what you know and what you do well, but the key is to be selective and keep the employer’s wants and needs in mind. Tailor your marketing message (this even includes “tweaking” your résumé) for each and every job. You’ll outshine (and out smart) your competitors and net better results.

Think of it this way: If you want seafood, you aren’t the least bit interested in how well I can grill a steak!

Comments

[Simon Clay Michael]

Norine,
Since most job seekers want to "do" their resume first, and then look for jobs, no wonder they have trouble writing it, since they're not aiming at (writing in response to) something.

Great Advice, start with the job then write the resume to fit

Simon at VirtualJobCoach

[Charlie]

After being in the job market for thirty years, having to re-train five times too include completing a bachelor degree, and now being told by HR managers that I am over qualified. I find that in actuality employers could care less what skills a person truly offers. Its always about what the hiring manager wants, and the prospective employee has little clue what that is. So we will often just send the blanket resume with a little tweaking. Myself, I find that the old school method of meeting and speaking to people in person holds the highest rate of success. If we are now limiting to uploading a resume blindly to god knows who then we tend to try cover all bases possible relating to the job offered. Thus, it does pay to do research on a company and actually meet the people in person.

[McGreenGal]

Very helpful information. Thanks!

[Rodney Cooley]

You are right. Companies are looking for what you can do for them. Even though I have been in my industry for 20 years, I have a one-page resume that has just enough on it for the HR managers to see how my skills can help them achieve their goals.

[Kamagra]

very well, in our days the companies has become more specific and demanding with the requirements to hiring personal, you have to get excellent presentation skills, remember always be polite, don't show a fake face be youself all the time, don't say lies, and finally if you are hired take care that job in our days is too hard to find a good job, the economic crisis it's only rest, each day mean more expensive life and more difficult to find job.

[air jordan]

Her advice to me was to work harder!!

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