Re: Having a killer resume

["Jo Francis Byrd" <jbyrd -at- byrdwrites -dot- com>]

While on the search for the elusive contract, I decided to get on with a
resume writing outfit. Took me all of two seconds to realize it was a resume
mill (aside: did you know there is an association of professional resume
writers/preparers?), but the color of money is green, it's not illegal or
unethical, and I'm not THAT proud. One of the requirements was passing a
test. I didn't - even though I'm a "talented writer." Curious, I asked what
I'd done wrong, or rather, hadn't done right. Somewhat to my surprise, the
person responded with a critique (for which I thanked her, never mind I
didn't agree with her).

It was interesting, to say the least. It's fueled by what HR types want to
see, and there is a very specific format. Starting with that BS objective.
Mine, BTW does not follow that format, and I've been told by numerous
recruiters/HR types/hiring managers that I have a "very impressive" resume.

Wasn't a wasted experience, though. Gained some insight, and I was able to
help a friend. She'd been laid off, and part of the package was career
assistance with an outsourcing group who wanted her to redo her VERY nice
resume in guess what format! Fortunately, I was able to persuade her to
ignore their cookie-cutter format and use the one she already had, just
refined it a little.

Jo Byrd

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Willebeek-LeMair" <jlemair -at- cisco -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Having a killer resume


 Bruce astutely noted:

The reason that this objective doesn't work isn't that it's a lie. It's not,
all sarcasm aside; the need for money is obviously assumed by both sides.But
the objective fails for several other reasons:

--and he lists several great reasons

 Jason replies:

Exactly.  Unfortunately, most of the "resume books" that I have seen push
this sort of claptrap.  Most resumes I have seen when I was in a hiring
position have this sort of objective statement (which I politely ignore,
giving the applicant the benefit of the doubt).

Which is why I advocate leaving any section called "Objective" off the
resume.  I have seen some excellent resumes with a "Summary of Skills" or
"Summary of Qualifications" section, which is more like what Bruce
described.  And it worked well.  Probably the change in heading was enough
to break out of the marketing euphoria that "Objective" tends to generate.




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