RESUME ASSESSMENT
Use this resume assessment questionnaire to evaluate the strong
and weak points of your current resume.
If your resume isn't getting the response you want, it's probably
because it's not doing you justice. This resume assessment questionnaire
outlines the points professional resume writers look at when evaluating
a resume. Ask yourself the following questions (and answer honestly!):
1. Is your unique value proposition,or personal brand,
clearly expressed?
This is key. Your resume will be reviewed with many other
resumes and you must ensure that it communicates what makes you
special. If you need more information on developing and communicating
a value proposition, check out our free
resume writing e-course.
2. Will the reader see and understand your value
proposition within the first few seconds of looking at your resume?
Defining your value proposition is one
thing, but making it clear at first glance is just
as important. Before I wrote resumes for a living,
I was an HR executive and I read thousands of resumes.
I can tell you that I gave each one 10-15 seconds
maximum to get my attention. If I couldn't see value
in that short time, the resume went on the 'no' pile.
3. Does your resume address the
needs of your target employers by showing that you
have solved problems similar to the ones they are experiencing?
Employers want to know you can make a difference
to their organization. It doesn't matter whether
you are applying for an executive job or an entry-level
position. The goal is the same - to make a positive
impact. Therefore, your resume must show that you
have done this in the past. To find out more about
how to show this, sign up for our free
resume writing e-course.
4. Does your resume convey your ability to
make an impact by outlining your accomplishments in
a clear and compelling manner?
This is related to the previous point
- the best way to show that you will make a positive
impact is to show how you have done that in the past.
You can do this by talking about your accomplishments
using a formula we call The Challenge-Action-Results
formula. If you haven't heard of this formula before,
check out the free
resume writing course for detailed instructions.
This is a surefire way to boost responses to your
resume.
5. Does your resume have a sense
of action and movement? Have you used action verbs
wherever possible?
Liven up your resume by using action verbs
to start each bullet point. Take a look at our resume
samples for ideas.
6. Does the resume design draw
the eye to key information? Is the page clean and
uncluttered? Is your resume easy on the eye?
Most people underestimate the importance
of good resume design, but it's actually critically
important. As I said earlier, most HR folks/ recruiters
will scan your resume for 10-15 seconds to determine
if they want to interview you. If you don't make
it easy to read, they will miss key points. Oh and
while we're on the subject of design ... please,
please, please don't use a Microsoft resume template
when you write your resume. It just makes your resume
look like everyone else's and does nothing to help
you market yourself as unique and interesting.
7. When you read your resume, are
you impressed?
This is where you need to be brutally
frank with yourself. When I write a resume for a
client and send them the first draft, one of the
most common responses is "wow! I'd hire me!" If
you don't feel that way about your resume, why should
anyone else? Take the time to make your resume the
best that it can be.
8. When you show your resume to
others who know you, what do they say? Do they feel
it represents you well?
It's essential to ask for feedback from
other people whose opinion you trust because you
can't always stand back and view your resume dispassionately.
BUT, two notes of caution. (a) Make sure that you
only ask people who have hiring experience, and (b)
Don't ask them 'what do you think of this resume?'
That question doesn't get to the heart of what you
want to know and invites people to give you their
own resume biases, which may or may not be correct.
Instead ask "what impression do you get of me
when you read this resume?"That question will
focus their attention and ensure you get the most
useful feedback.
Remember, be tough in your resume assessment. Be
brutally frank with yourself. Compare your resume
to our resume
samples to ensure that it's the very best it
can be. You will probably never write a more important
document than your resume so spend the time and effort
- and yes maybe even money - to make it amazing.
If you're not happy with your resume, check out
the articles on this page, including how
to write a resume, or sign up for free
resume writing help with our e-course.
Louise Fletcher is the President
of Blue
Sky Resumes, and author of the eBook, The
Complete Guide to Resume Writing. Louise is also
Managing Editor and Co-founder of the preeminent
careers blog, Career Hub. She is a Certified Professional
Resume Writer and many of her resumes have been published
in the JIST "Expert Resumes" series. She
has contributed to many online publications including
About.com, Monster.com, The Ladders, and Net Temps.
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