I Shake My Fist At You, Resumes!

[Matt Willard]

I've gone through a bunch of advice about writing a resume and all the advice is different. Use headlines, use functional format, don't use functional format, blah blah blah. Everyone says something different and the whole process has become this ridiculously insane, overwhelming juggernaut that I can't seem to overcome. It's driving me nuts.

I've already done a few jobs freelancing for someone on a freelance bidding site, but beyond that, I've got no real work experience, and these functional resumes seem unsurpassable. Hell, do I even NEED one? I'm planning to set up a website to refer people to, and I can much more easily hash out fake samples to offer people for that than to struggle with the mess that is resumes.

ANY help would be appreciated. I've got no idea what the hell I'm doing. Maybe I could use some help defining my problems and what exactly I can do to overcome them. ANYTHING.

(And to think, I was considering preparing resumes for people! HA!)

[Grandiouse]

Resumes that are sweet, short and to the point are usually the most effective ones. One page cover letter followed by a one page of your actual resume.

The cover letter is the attention grabber that will set you up for success. Make sure it's good, and get people to read it. In the actual resume, use power words to describe what you have done.

Make sure there is consistency with employment history, no time gaps in between.

Add a stunning resume to your great personality and networking skills, and you will get the job.

[Angela]

Matt, you crack me up.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Angela

Matt, you crack me up.

Know that this is a very serious fist shaking we're talking about here!

[Erin Pavlina]

First, get into the head of the person interviewing you. What need are they trying to fill? What aspects in a hiree are they looking for? Do you feel you meet their requirements or fill their needs? You're solving a problem for them. They have a position that needs filling with a certain type of person with a certain type of ability and experience. Are you that person? if so, convey it directly. cut to the chase.

"I know you need X,Y, and Z, and I am X, Y, and Z in spades. Here's how you can know that I am exactly the person you need to fill this position."

All they want is to pick the right person. That's their job. If the person doing the hiring is also the person you'd be working for, that's even better. Just tell them that their worries are over, their problem is solved, etc. Call it a resume if you want. Format it however you want. Teh bottom line is to convey that you are the solution to their problem. Make sense?

I always got the jobs I interviewed for because I got into the head of the person interviewing me and I found out what exactly they needed and then explained how I could solve their problem. I hardly ever had a resume, yet I had a lot of jobs before I went self-employed.

[RT Wolf]

Check out books on job hunting like "What Color Is Your Parachute?"

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

First, get into the head of the person interviewing you. What need are they trying to fill? What aspects in a hiree are they looking for? Do you feel you meet their requirements or fill their needs? You're solving a problem for them. They have a position that needs filling with a certain type of person with a certain type of ability and experience. Are you that person? if so, convey it directly. cut to the chase.

"I know you need X,Y, and Z, and I am X, Y, and Z in spades. Here's how you can know that I am exactly the person you need to fill this position."

All they want is to pick the right person. That's their job. If the person doing the hiring is also the person you'd be working for, that's even better. Just tell them that their worries are over, their problem is solved, etc. Call it a resume if you want. Format it however you want. Teh bottom line is to convey that you are the solution to their problem. Make sense?

I always got the jobs I interviewed for because I got into the head of the person interviewing me and I found out what exactly they needed and then explained how I could solve their problem. I hardly ever had a resume, yet I had a lot of jobs before I went self-employed.

That's a great tip, but isn't the resume supposed to open the door to the interview? How did you pick them up without one, did you just use a pitch like that on prospective employers?

[Erin Pavlina]

I rarely brought a resume to an interview. I usually knew in advance what sort of job I was applying for, so I'd make a list of all the skills I had and I'd write a cover letter and keep it really conversational. I showed them how I could help them, I focused on them, instead of making it a brochure about me.

"You need someone who is good at Word. I scored 100% at the temp agency on Word. you need someone punctual, reliable, and honest. I am all of those things. Contact this person for a reference on that. You want someone with at least 5 years experience doing X, that's what I've been doing for the past 5 years." First I addressed what they needed then I showed them how I filled that need. i didn't waste any time with work history that was not relevant, or extracurricular activities that didn't relate to the job. You gotta stand out. When I walked in the door I was a solution to their problem otherwise i didn't bother applying for the job.

Often I would simply tell them what I could do for them, as though I was selling my service to them, not sitting in a pile of other applicants all wanting the same thing.

it's sort of hard to explain, but I got every job I ever wanted, every job I ever applied for. I'm not counting the jobs where I showed up to the interview and determined that I myself wouldn't want to work there. I left those, sometimes before the interview was officially over. I never put off the energy of being someone who had to be interviewed. I put off the energy of, "You have a problem. I'm your solution. What are we waiting for?"

Interviewers want to feel confident that the person they're hiring is going to make them look good to their bosses. I addressed that. I helped them feel like I was a good bet. You want to be the solution to their problem.

[Matt Willard]

That sounds like a really neat approach. I really do have to stand above the rest if I'm to get my first clients...this sounds like a great way to do that.

[funchy]

As long as it's short, well-organized, easy-to-read, and professional looking I think you'll be fine. Keep it to 1 page if possible. I do believe you need a traditional resume even if you have a web site. Not everyone is as computer savvy as you, plus it helps them decide among applicants if they can look at several resumes side-by-side.

Good luck to you on your job search!

[ssandra]

I really like this blog regarding resumes

One Way to Get the Job

She also has a nice short course on how to write your resume.

Good luck.

[lifetimelearner]

it's funny cause I got my job recently by 'knowing' someone that works there !!

good luck matt


ps I once thought of putting this on my resume

Strong Worker-if I can pop out four kids I can do anything !

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by ssandra

I really like this blog regarding resumes

One Way to Get the Job

She also has a nice short course on how to write your resume.

Good luck.

A course, eh? Sounds great, I'll check it out.

And just to alleviate any potential confusion-by "job", I mean like a gig for my freelance writing. Working from home is too fantastic to pass up :V But a lot of the freelance jobs I apply for require that resume, and that's one obstacle I need to overcome.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Matt Willard

A course, eh? Sounds great, I'll check it out.

And just to alleviate any potential confusion-by "job", I mean like a gig for my freelance writing. Working from home is too fantastic to pass up :V But a lot of the freelance jobs I apply for require that resume, and that's one obstacle I need to overcome.

oh got ya -
I am very jealous
I never really thought of having to have a resume for freelance writing

do you have samples of your writing somewhere
I would love to read
do you take on different subjects -sports,animals,nature,current news or do you write about the same type of subject?

[Matt Willard]

Well, once I get more clients, I'll have padding for a resume. The big problem is those first few.

As for samples, right now all I have available is my website in my sig. I'm working toward setting up a more generalized site with its own blog to host different samples. Not only do I want to write about games, comics, cartoons, and so forth, but I also want to do business or advertising writing to further supplement my income. I figure one or two forms of business writing shouldn't be that hard to learn, and you can make some good bucks off it it.

[Erin Pavlina]

Read Getting all you can out of all you've got by Jay Abraham. Good stuff in there for freelancers.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

Read Getting all you can out of all you've got by Jay Abraham. Good stuff in there for freelancers.

At least I'll be able to buy it once I get enough cash from the gig I do have.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Matt Willard

Well, once I get more clients, I'll have padding for a resume. The big problem is those first few.

As for samples, right now all I have available is my website in my sig. I'm working toward setting up a more generalized site with its own blog to host different samples. Not only do I want to write about games, comics, cartoons, and so forth, but I also want to do business or advertising writing to further supplement my income. I figure one or two forms of business writing shouldn't be that hard to learn, and you can make some good bucks off it it.

I am going to show my 17 yo your site because he has similar interests to yours
thanks
and good luck

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

I am going to show my 17 yo your site because he has similar interests to yours
thanks
and good luck

Thanks! I hope he likes it.

[Some Random Loser]

I do believe Erin Pavlina's words are the most powerful on this subject in this thread. Why try to dance through hoops when you can just cut through all the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and "run it like a salesman." Qualify the buyer, make sure they want what you're selling, then close relentlessly. If they don't qualify, say bye bye. If you don't got what they're looking to buy, say bye bye. Next.

It's a nice paradigm. Resumes, letters, documentation, they can certainly be of use, but within the new paradigm, not within the mindless paradigm of hoop jumping. They're tools to help communicate as part of the sales process. The purpose of sales isn't to sell, it's to find who's ready willing and able to buy what you're selling, and making it as easy as possible for them to do so.

I still think Erin Pavlina used her psychic powers to get the jobs though

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Some Random Loser

I still think Erin Pavlina used her psychic powers to get the jobs though

This is why Steve needs the power of eye lasers :V

Anyway, I agree. And with the other resume documentation I've been uncovering, they all seem to confirm Erin's words. Tomorrow I'll attack this baby again, using what I know now. (But I'd appreciate any further advice that comes my way-since this will probably be my first real resume, any and all help is appreciated )

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I rarely brought a resume to an interview. I usually knew in advance what sort of job I was applying for, so I'd make a list of all the skills I had and I'd write a cover letter and keep it really conversational. I showed them how I could help them, I focused on them, instead of making it a brochure about me.

"You need someone who is good at Word. I scored 100% at the temp agency on Word. you need someone punctual, reliable, and honest. I am all of those things. Contact this person for a reference on that. You want someone with at least 5 years experience doing X, that's what I've been doing for the past 5 years." First I addressed what they needed then I showed them how I filled that need. i didn't waste any time with work history that was not relevant, or extracurricular activities that didn't relate to the job. You gotta stand out. When I walked in the door I was a solution to their problem otherwise i didn't bother applying for the job.

Often I would simply tell them what I could do for them, as though I was selling my service to them, not sitting in a pile of other applicants all wanting the same thing.

it's sort of hard to explain, but I got every job I ever wanted, every job I ever applied for. I'm not counting the jobs where I showed up to the interview and determined that I myself wouldn't want to work there. I left those, sometimes before the interview was officially over. I never put off the energy of being someone who had to be interviewed. I put off the energy of, "You have a problem. I'm your solution. What are we waiting for?"

Interviewers want to feel confident that the person they're hiring is going to make them look good to their bosses. I addressed that. I helped them feel like I was a good bet. You want to be the solution to their problem.

good advice
thanks
matt I am borrowing this