The best time to be in a retail bakery is in the morning. The aroma is overpowering. Freshly baked coffee cakes and breakfast danish loaded with cinnamon and almonds. The smell of breads and cakes just out of the oven. Wow, the aroma alone will sell the products. It compels you to buy something, usually several somethings.
The art of selling, I am told, is about creating in your customer’s mind a strong sense of need — a realization that they must have what you are selling to solve a problem or add value.
The next time you look at your own resume, make a list of your accomplishments, experience or credentials — the rich and wonderful aromas of your career — and then ask yourself which would compel you to hire yourself.
“I have 20 years of experience…” Great, but that, by itself, is not compelling.
“I have worked for some of the best healthcare systems in the country…” How nice, but what does that have to do with the new opportunity?
“I have been successful everywhere I have been…” Better, but not compelling. Why were you successful?
“I have done this work before.” Wonderful, but does your resume reflect that success in quantifiable terms?
Earlier this week I attended an ACHE of North Texas Christmas reception that benefited Toys for Tots — members brought toys instead of cash for the bar. As usual, there was no shortage of early and mid-careerists who were all interested in breaking into healthcare management, or advancing. These are very bright people, hardworking, willing to sacrifice to establish or advance their careers. In other words, people probably competing for the same jobs. It does not matter where you live, there is increasing competition for leadership roles. Plainly put, there are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs.
So be honest with yourself. Does your resume really make recruiters or employers want to buy what you are selling, or is it some plain-jane history of your employment, emphasizing chronology more than value? Does it sell your strengths and value?
Developing an effective resume that will yield success is not a “ one and done” process. It is not a necessary evil. It should be like those wonderful aromas in a retail bakery that you cannot wait to buy and enjoy.