Why You Shouldn't Write Your Own Resume

Someone asked me the other day, "So, what are the biggest mistakes that people make when they write their own resumes?" My immediate response was "People just have no idea about how to create their own resumes," which I pretty quickly realized wasn't much of an answer. I've been thinking about what the better answer would be, and here it is:

What are the biggest mistakes people make when they write their own resumes? The biggest mistake people make in writing their own resumes is that they put into their resume what they want the employer to see, to know about them, instead of creating a resume filled with what the employer really does what to see.

When we're composing our own resumes, we're getting advice from all kinds of well-meaning people - family members, co-workers, the next-door neighbor. "Be sure to put in there how smart you are!" your mother says. "Put on there that you bowled two 300 games!" your bowling team mate suggests. "Say that you've been at the same job for 26 years! that you can do ANYTHING! That you'll take ANY JOB!"

And so the whole process can be a bit confusing...

For the greatest chance at success in landing your next new great job, your resume should have:

• Your goal, clearly stated, at the top, so the employer can see what you're offering. The target/goal needs to be (1) of interest to the employer and (2) backed up by supporting evidence that you either have done this type of work in the past, or that you have the skills/experience/training/motivation to do it now;

• Terminology that is key to your industry.

• Thoroughness. It's a big mistake to create a bare-bones resume and assume the employer will be able to fill in the rest of the story. And yet, you also want

• Brevity. In a resume there's a fine line between too much and not enough, and at the same time, less is more. Nobody wants to read lots and lots of stuff these days. Aim for short, sweet and powerful.

• No unexplained employment gaps.

• Lots of success stories and accomplishments.

Additionally, you want your resume to be able to pass through three potential screenings: the computer screening (computer searching for key words), the junior person/intern screening (the boss has asked him to whittle a half dozen good looking resumes out of the pile for her review -- will the junior person find your resume compelling enough to make the short stack?) and the hiring manager, who - studies show - may be giving resumes between five and ten seconds of attention before deciding whether the candidate looks worthwhile or not.

I see amazingly sad 'self-made' resumes all the time owned by fabulous people with big backgrounds/skills/potential. "I haven't gotten any interviews," they say during the first phone call they make to me. They don't understand it, but I do: their self-made resume doesn't work on their behalf.

Would you change the transmission in your own car? Cut your own hair? Do your own dental work? You probably get professionals to handle those things for you. Is your resume getting you the interviews you want? It might be in your best interests to get a professional to write your resume, to reduce the time it takes you to get interviews / get a new job. A great resume is the key to opening the door to interviews!

Need help with your resume? Not sure if you're on the right track? Not getting interviews? You can reach Terrie for a free phone consultation at (315) 676-3315, or visit her website — http://www.cnyresumes.com — for more information.