The 30-second resume test

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been working hard on my resume. The reasoning is that, while I’ve added a lot of information to it about the positions I have been in recently, I don’t think that it answers some of the critical questions that hiring managers — or recruiters — would like to see in reading the resume. A revamp is in order.

Consequently, it was with great delight that Barbara Safani of Career Solvers (http://careersolvers NULL.blogspot NULL.com/) stepped right up to write a great three part series on resumes — and how they need to pass the 30-second resume tests by the people reading the resume.

The first test is this: showing you are competent (http://careersolvers NULL.blogspot NULL.com/2007/10/does-your-resume-pass-hiring-managers NULL.html).

The second test: showing your professional, personal brand (http://careersolvers NULL.blogspot NULL.com/2007/10/does-your-resume-pass-hiring-managers_18 NULL.html). Barbara critically notes:

A professional identity is not the same as a job title. The professional identify conveys your personal brand and the scope of your responsibilities through a few targeted words.

The third test: showing your accomplishments (http://careersolvers NULL.blogspot NULL.com/2007/10/does-your-resume-pass-hiring-managers_19 NULL.html).

Each of these articles gives very specific advice on working your resume to match up with your skills and the position you are looking for.

And, a great Halloween analogy (http://careersolvers NULL.blogspot NULL.com/2007/10/resumes-are-lot-like-halloween-costumes NULL.html) to boot:

Resumes are a lot like Halloween costumes. The best resumes, like the best costumes, are not what we expect. They challenge the senses and the mind. They make us think “Wow, this is someone I need to know” or “Maybe this person can help solve my company’s problems.” They invite conversation, inquiry, and perhaps even debate.

The series offers great advice. I’m going to use all of it in rebuilding my resume.

Scot

Photo credit: Resume Art (http://farm1 NULL.static NULL.flickr NULL.com/74/230696843_13e0a38b54 NULL.jpg?v=1157238948) by kafka4prez (http://flickr NULL.com/photos/kafka4prez/) on Flickr (http://flickr NULL.com)

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