Weekly Updates and News Weekly (12/30/13)
This week’s contents:
Topic of the Week TYPO, Writing a Great Resume
- Thirty seconds.
- Your voice.
- Performance-based.
- Out-work.
The Write Stuff: Writing a Great Resume
With a still mostly jobless recovery, resumes are an important way to distinguish yourself from the crowd. But before your race off to hire someone to re-write your resume, remember the lesson of Milli Vanilli. They were a very popular band from the 1980’s that was busted for not using their own voices after they won a Grammy. Less well known was the concert a year earlier in Bristol, CT when the record started skipping while Milli Vanilli was performing on stage. They pretended to sing and dance along with the skip until they finally ran off stage. Oops.
We can all learn an important lesson from Milli Vanilli, to not over-rely on someone else’s voice, your resume should be all about you. I’ve listed four tips for an effective resume below. The tips are built around the word “TYPO.” Why typo? Because that always is one of the top reasons in surveys of HR people that resumes get tossed. For more check out, “Resumes for Dummies,” by career advice pioneer Joyce Lain Kennedy (Wiley, 2003).
Thirty seconds. A resume is more of a billboard than a biography, literally. Why, because a manager or Human Resources professional, on average, spends only thirty seconds reading it. A resume shouldn’t be a puzzle or a riddle. You need to make it easy for someone to figure out who you are and what you can do, immediately. Far too many resumes fail this test.
Your voice. My sister hired a resume writer for her resume. After he was done with it, it sounded computer-generated. Whether you use a resume writer or a resume book; be sure that you don’t just steal their language. Your objective statement is something that you should actually say during a job interview, or at least sound like you would.
Performance-based. Most resumes that I’ve seen are like a laundry list of tasks. “I facilitated this committee,” “I reported to this person,” or “I have this skill.” Most resumes don’t spend enough time discussing achievements. Things like: “I increased sales 11%”, “I cut department costs 6%” or “I managed the relationship with a customer who provided the company with 17% of our revenue and 22% of our profits.” Don’t have this kind of data? Then start collecting it.
Out-work. One-size-fits-all may work for the Snuggie, but it is a disaster for a resume. You’ve got to tailor each resume for the job. Sure this is a lot of work, but remember there are a lot of people out there looking to be hired. How can you stay ahead of this herd? Simple, turn your resume into a document that isn’t just a look in a rear view mirror about your career, but shows a potential employer what you can do for them.
Milli Vanilli’s career crashed and burned because they didn’t use their own voices. Hopefully you can follow these tips so that you don’t experience the same fate.
Bob Rosner is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. For free job and work advice, check out the award-winning workplace911.com. Check the revised edition of his Wall Street Journal best seller, “The Boss’s Survival Guide.” If you have a question for Bob, contact him via bob@workplace911.com.
Thought of the Week
“A resume is one way to get yourself invited in for an interview. There are other ways, even preferred ways, if your resume fails. Know what they are.”
–Dick Bolles, author of “What Color Is Your Parachute” (10 Speed, 2009).
Weekly Comic by Jerry King
Blog of the Week
Top Five News Headlines
List of the Week
from CareerBuilder.com
Color Me Successful: Hiring Managers Tell Us What Colors Tell Them
• Black – Leadership
• Blue – Team Player
• Gray – Logical/Analytical
• White – Organized
• Brown – Dependable
• Red – Power
• Green, Yellow, Orange or Purple – all four colors were associated with Creative
Weekly Updates and News Weekly: Archive
Select a date from the list below.
- April 5, 2021
- March 22, 2021
- March 15, 2021
- March 1, 2021
- February 22, 2021
- February 15, 2021
- February 8, 2021
- February 1, 2021
- January 25, 2021
- January 18, 2021
- January 11, 2021
- January 4, 2021
- December 28, 2020
- December 14, 2020
- December 7, 2020
- November 23, 2020
- November 16, 2020
- November 9, 2020
- November 2, 2020
- October 26, 2020
- October 12, 2020
- October 5, 2020
- September 28, 2020
- September 21, 2020
- September 14, 2020
- September 7, 2020
- August 31, 2020
- August 24, 2020
- August 17, 2020
- August 10, 2020
- July 27, 2020
- July 20, 2020
- July 13, 2020
- July 6, 2020
- June 22, 2020
- June 15, 2020
- June 1, 2020
- May 25, 2020
- May 18, 2020
- May 11, 2020
- May 4, 2020
- April 27, 2020
- April 20, 2020
- April 13, 2020
- April 6, 2020
- March 30, 2020
- March 23, 2020
- March 16, 2020
- March 9, 2020
- March 2, 2020
- February 24, 2020
- February 17, 2020
- February 10, 2020
- February 3, 2020
- January 27, 2020
- January 20, 2020
- January 13, 2020
- December 23, 2019
- December 16, 2019
- December 9, 2019
- December 2, 2019
- November 25, 2019
- November 18, 2019
- November 11, 2019
- November 4, 2019
- October 28, 2019
- October 7, 2019
- September 30, 2019
- September 16, 2019
- September 2, 2019
- August 26, 2019
- July 29, 2019
- July 15, 2019
- June 17, 2019
- June 10, 2019
- May 6, 2019
- April 29, 2019
- April 22, 2019
- April 15, 2019
- April 8, 2019
- March 25, 2019
- March 11, 2019
- March 4, 2019
- February 25, 2019
- February 18, 2019
- February 11, 2019
- January 28, 2019
- January 21, 2019
- January 14, 2019
- December 17, 2018
- December 3, 2018
- November 26, 2018
- November 5, 2018
- October 29, 2018
- October 15, 2018
- October 8, 2018
- October 1, 2018
- September 24, 2018
- September 10, 2018
- September 3, 2018
- August 29, 2018
- August 6, 2018
- July 23, 2018
- June 25, 2018
- June 18, 2018
- June 11, 2018
- June 4, 2018
- May 28, 2018
- May 21, 2018
- May 7, 2018
- April 30, 2018
- April 23, 2018
- April 16, 2018
- April 9, 2018
- April 2, 2018
- March 26, 2018
- March 19, 2018
- March 12, 2018
- February 26, 2018
- February 5, 2018
- January 29, 2018
- January 22, 2018
- January 8, 2018
- January 1, 2018
- December 18, 2017
- December 11, 2017
- December 4, 2017
- November 27, 2017
- November 13, 2017
- November 6, 2017
- October 30, 2017
- October 23, 2017
- October 16, 2017
- October 9, 2017
- October 2, 2017
- September 25, 2017
- September 18, 2017
- September 11, 2017
- September 4, 2017
- August 28, 2017
- August 21, 2017
- August 14, 2017
- August 7, 2017
- July 31, 2017
- July 24, 2017
- July 17, 2017
- July 3, 2017
- June 26, 2017
- June 12, 2017
- June 5, 2017
- May 29, 2017
- May 22, 2017
- May 15, 2017
- May 8, 2017
- May 1, 2017
- April 24, 2017
- April 19, 2017
- April 10, 2017
- April 3, 2017
- March 20, 2017
- March 13, 2017
- March 6, 2017
- February 27, 2017
- February 20, 2017
- February 13, 2017
- February 6, 2017
- January 30, 2017
- January 23, 2017
- January 16, 2017
- January 9, 2017
- January 2, 2017
- December 19, 2016
- December 12, 2016
- December 5, 2016
- November 21, 2016
- November 14, 2016
- November 7, 2016
- October 31, 2016
- October 24, 2016
- October 17, 2016
- October 10, 2016
- October 3, 2016
- September 26, 2016
- September 19, 2016
- September 12, 2016
- September 5, 2016
- August 29, 2016
- August 22, 2016
- August 15, 2016
- August 8, 2016
- August 1, 2016
- July 25, 2016
- July 18, 2016
- July 11, 2016
- July 4, 2016
- June 27, 2016
- June 20, 2016
- June 13, 2016
- June 6, 2016
- May 30, 2016
- May 23, 2016
- May 16, 2016
- May 9, 2016
- May 2, 2016
- April 25, 2016
- April 18, 2016
- April 11, 2016
- April 4, 2016
- March 28, 2016
- March 21, 2016
- March 14, 2016
- March 7, 2016
- February 29, 2016
- February 22, 2016
- February 15, 2016
- February 8, 2016
- February 1, 2016
- January 25, 2016
- January 18, 2016
- January 11, 2016
- January 4, 2016
- December 21, 2015
- December 14, 2015
- December 7, 2015
- November 30, 2015
- November 23, 2015
- November 16, 2015
- November 9, 2015
- November 2, 2015
- October 26, 2015
- October 19, 2015
- October 12, 2015
- October 5, 2015
- September 28, 2015
- September 21, 2015
- September 14, 2015
- September 7, 2015
- August 31, 2015
- August 24, 2015
- August 17, 2015
- August 10, 2015
- August 3, 2015
- July 27, 2015
- July 20, 2015
- July 13, 2015
- July 6, 2015
- June 29, 2015
- June 22, 2015
- June 15, 2015
- June 8, 2015
- June 1, 2015
- May 25, 2015
- May 18, 2015
- May 11, 2015
- May 4, 2015
- April 27, 2015
- April 20, 2015
- April 13, 2015
- April 6, 2015
- March 30, 2015
- March 23, 2015
- March 16, 2015
- March 9, 2015
- March 2, 2015
- February 23, 2015
- February 16, 2015
- February 9, 2015
- February 2, 2015
- January 26, 2015
- January 19, 2015
- January 12, 2015
- January 5, 2015
- December 29, 2014
- December 15, 2014
- December 8, 2014
- December 1, 2014
- November 7, 2014
- October 15, 2014
- October 8, 2014
- October 1, 2014
- September 24, 2014
- September 17, 2014
- September 11, 2014
- September 3, 2014
- August 19, 2014
- July 14, 2014
- June 24, 2014
- June 9, 2014
- May 26, 2014
- May 19, 2014
- May 5, 2014
- April 27, 2014
- April 14, 2014
- April 8, 2014
- April 2, 2014
- March 24, 2014
- March 18, 2014
- March 10, 2014
- March 3, 2014
- February 24, 2014
- February 17, 2014
- February 3, 2014
- January 27, 2014
- January 20, 2014
- December 30, 2013
- December 11, 2013
- December 4, 2013
- November 20, 2013
- November 12, 2013
- October 30, 2013
- October 21, 2013
- October 8, 2013
- October 1, 2013
- September 23, 2013
- September 20, 2013
- September 9, 2013
- September 4, 2013
- August 27, 2013
- August 19, 2013
- August 12, 2013
- August 5, 2013
- July 30, 2013
- July 22, 2013
- July 8, 2013
- July 1, 2013
- June 24, 2013
- June 17, 2013
- June 10, 2013
- June 3, 2013
- May 20, 2013
- May 13, 2013
- May 6, 2013
- April 29, 2013
- April 23, 2013
- April 16, 2013
- April 15, 2013
- April 8, 2013
- April 1, 2013
- March 26, 2013
- March 18, 2013
- March 12, 2013
- March 5, 2013
- February 25, 2013
- February 19, 2013
- February 4, 2013
- January 28, 2013
- January 22, 2013
- January 14, 2013
- January 7, 2013
- January 2, 2013
- December 24, 2012
- December 17, 2012
- December 10, 2012
- December 3, 2012
- November 26, 2012
- November 19, 2012
- October 29, 2012
- October 22, 2012
- October 15, 2012
- October 8, 2012
- October 1, 2012
- September 24, 2012
- September 17, 2012
- September 10, 2012
- September 4, 2012
- August 27, 2012
- August 20, 2012
- August 14, 2012
- August 6, 2012
- July 30, 2012
- July 23, 2012
- July 9, 2012
- June 19, 2012
- June 11, 2012
- June 4, 2012
- May 29, 2012
- May 21, 2012
- May 8, 2012
- April 30, 2012
- April 23, 2012
- April 16, 2012
- April 2, 2012
- March 27, 2012
- March 19, 2012
- March 13, 2012
- March 6, 2012
- February 14, 2012
- February 6, 2012
- January 30, 2012
- January 17, 2012
- January 9, 2012
- January 3, 2012
- December 27, 2011
- December 12, 2011
- November 27, 2011
- November 20, 2011
- November 13, 2011
- November 7, 2011
- October 24, 2011
- October 17, 2011
- October 10, 2011
- October 3, 2011
- September 26, 2011
- September 12, 2011
- September 5, 2011
- August 29, 2011
- August 1, 2011
- July 11, 2011
- July 4, 2011
- June 27, 2011
- June 20, 2011
- May 23, 2011
- May 9, 2011
- April 26, 2011
- April 18, 2011
- April 14, 2011
- April 5, 2011
- March 28, 2011
- March 21, 2011
- March 7, 2011
- February 28, 2011
- February 21, 2011
- February 15, 2011
- February 7, 2011
- January 24, 2011
- January 3, 2011
- December 20, 2010
- December 13, 2010
- December 6, 2010
- November 21, 2010
- November 14, 2010
- November 8, 2010
- November 1, 2010
- October 18, 2010
- October 4, 2010
- September 27, 2010
- September 20, 2010
- September 6, 2010
- August 30, 2010
- August 16, 2010
- August 9, 2010
- August 2, 2010
- July 26, 2010
- July 19, 2010
- July 12, 2010
- June 28, 2010
- June 21, 2010
- June 14, 2010
- June 7, 2010
- May 31, 2010
- May 24, 2010
- May 17, 2010
- May 10, 2010
- May 3, 2010
- April 26, 2010
- April 19, 2010
- April 12, 2010
- April 5, 2010
- March 29, 2010
- March 22, 2010
- March 15, 2010
- March 8, 2010
- March 1, 2010
- February 22, 2010
- February 14, 2010
- February 8, 2010
- February 1, 2010
- January 25, 2010
- January 18, 2010
- January 11, 2010
- January 4, 2010
- December 28, 2009
- December 21, 2009
- December 14, 2009
- December 7, 2009
- November 30, 2009
- November 22, 2009
- November 15, 2009
- November 8, 2009
- November 1, 2009
- October 26, 2009
- October 12, 2009
- October 5, 2009
- September 28, 2009
- September 21, 2009
- September 14, 2009
- September 6, 2009
- August 31, 2009
- August 17, 2009
- August 10, 2009
- August 3, 2009
- July 27, 2009
- July 20, 2009
- July 13, 2009
- July 6, 2009
- June 29, 2009
- June 22, 2009
- June 15, 2009
- June 8, 2009
- June 1, 2009
- May 25, 2009
- May 18, 2009
- May 8, 2009
- April 27, 2009
- April 20, 2009
- April 13, 2009
- April 6, 2009
- March 30, 2009
- March 23, 2009
- March 16, 2009
- March 8, 2009
- March 2, 2009