Profile for 6 Seconds

If a resume doesn't capture someone's attention in 6-seconds or less, it won't get read. The 6-second acid test is crucial to getting called for an interview. Assume 200 other people are competing for the same job. That's not an unlikely number, considering the "so called" economic climate.

Forget "Objective" in your resume. Yeah, the resume books say to place this section in a resume. Think about it. It's already a given that the goal of a resume is to get an interview which may lead to a job offer. So why have an objective that says "seeking a job that will do this for me or do that for me ... expand my skills ... allows a career growth path ... yada yada.

Objective says what you want to get out of the job. The person reading your resume doesn't give a rat's furry butt what you want. They are only interested in listening to their favorite radio station, when they read a resume; WIIFM (what's in it for me?). What do you have to offer me? WHY should I interview you? What can you do for ME? What have you contributed to other companies that makes you stand out from the other 200 resumes on my desk?

Substitute "Profile" or "Summary of Skills". One of these 2 sections at the top of a resume immediately eliminates 150 people who use "Objective", from the competition. Now you're resume is getting closer to passing 6-second acid test.

Now use "Profile" or "Summary of Skills" to tune into the resume reader's WIIFM. What are the 2-3 best skills you have to offer? How have your skills contributed to the success or growth of an organization?

More on elminating the other 50 people left in another blog entry. Work on your Profile, in the meantime.

Cheers!!
SirReid
"Empowering People for Life"