OKPrProf

Is Your Resume Flying First or Second Class?

Back in January, 2008 I wrote about creating a resume. Go ahead and read it, I think it will have value as you read through this post. Really, go ahead, I'll wait...

For those of you who already read the post way back when and don't need to read it again (are you sure you remember everything??) I would suggest you watch my favorite video, The Fact Checker, while we wait for the others to get back. Let's say  we meet back here in five minutes.

-tick-tock-

Okay, thanks for coming back. There are some additional points I want to make about your resume.

First, don't let it look like a second class resume. Your resume has every reason, at least as far as formatting goes, to look like one of the best resume out there. Go find some resumes, (trust me, they are all over the internet) and look them over. What makes the best look like the best? Do you like the format, the choice of words, the order of things, etc. Take what you like and, so long as it isn't something completely inappropriate or unlike you (guys, no pink hearts for bullets unless it really, really fits your style) do it to your resume. Personalize it so it is truly your work, no plagiarism please, and move on.

My second point comes from the most often asked question I get - should you put it online... let me think about this for a second - you are a PR Student (for those not in this degree program I bet what I am about to say will still apply) who is supposed to be experienced in all forms of tactical communication. Would you ever tell a client they shouldn't have an online presence? Do you have a facebook page? Nuff said?? For those of you who are just a bit scared to do this, don't be. Tons of tools out there, blogs, ning sites and my new favorite tool, Visual CV. In the interest of full disclosure, I haven't yet created my own, but it will be coming soon. Am I looking for a job? Nope, have enough of those for the moment, but it never hurts to be prepared. If you have created a Visual CV, send me a link, I would love to see it.

Third point is to strategically forwarding your resume to everyone you know who might think you would make a good candidate for any position they are aware of. Make it easy for these people to pitch you as a possibility for your next job. Case in point - I was at a press conference last week and in conversation with the person in charge of hiring for the Tulsa communications division and she asked if I had anyone I could recommend for some future positions. Sure, I have tons. Do I have their resumes? Nope, not a one. Do I know of anyone looking for a position... maybe, not too sure. No concrete conversations that I can remember and I definitely don't have any e-mails asking for my support.

Last point and off topic just a bit. Regarding your portfolio - For every writing/creative sample you give, give them the background of the effort - walk them through how you got to the final product. Having been on the other side of the desk I can assure you the more insight you give about how you work (or your mind works) the better. Your future employer, most of all, wants someone who can fix things for them or their client, someone who can think though any challenge and offer a rational solutions. Giving background information on your portfolio samples will show your mental process of doing just that.

Resume Help

I get a lot or requests to review resumes for people job hunting in the PR industry. In just the last month I have probably reviews more than a dozen. What I find amazing is they all look the same and my comments are almost all the same.

Keep this in mind, the resume is your first paid advertisement - about you. Make sure the copy does a great job of letting people know who you are and not just why they should hire you, but why they should be concerned their competition might hire you (think about that for a second).

Okay, first things first. Do a little research. Every resume is a living, breathing document. Unless you apply for the exact same job over and over, it should be modified appropriately for every job you apply. What should be modified - that all depends. Applying for a copy editor position - highlight your journalistic work. Applying for an AE position - highlight your ability to coordinate multiple projects. Applying for a generalist position - highlight your best campaign. On your resume, always put first what will keep them reading.

Speaking of first things, drop the objective heading on your resume. Everyone's objective is the same. Written in different words they all say, "I want a job." The employer knows that, it's why they are reading your resume. Instead, create a "summary of qualifications." If you have no qualifications then I might suggest you forgo the resume and simply fill out application at any business with a "now hiring" sign in the window.

After the objective tell them what college you graduated from, your degree and your area of expertise if one exists, etc.

Remember, your goal in creating a resume is to keep the prospective employer reading and interested. Now for the meat.

When you give your job experience tell them about your accomplishments at each company, not just what you did. Were you responsible for simply answering the phone or did you support the company's customer service goals by answering specific questions and routing inquiries to the appropriate person? Trust me, there is a huge difference between the two and any business owner knows it.

Did you write for the college paper? If so expand on that, how many articles, what did you write about, what topics, did anything occur as a result? How many were front page articles? 

If you helped with a campaign, talk about the accomplishments of the campaign and your role. Did you create a facebook page? Great, tell us how many people visited it, became members, did what you told them to do.

Again, focus on what you have accomplished; goals, objectives and tactics alike. This advice is also true for your philanthropic section. Don't tell me you were the president of your PRSSA chapter, tell me what you accomplished during this time.  Talking about your accomplishments is what will set you apart from all the other candidates.

A few other points:

Your resume can be longer than one page so long as you aren't full of fluff.

Have at least five people review your resume. Of that five, at least three should be in the profession. I know, I hate having people review my work simply for the fact they will find fault with it. But, that is the goal, and better them than the person you want to interview with.

Finally, once you take all the edits, revisions and suggestions into consideration, re-write your resume and send it back out to everyone with a thank you note. In that note ask them to forward it to anyone they might know who is looking for a person like you. (at least that is what a good PR person would do)

Good luck!