When I work with clients, I notice they fall into one of three camps: those who are distrusting of resume writers because they’ve been burned in the past by a scam; those who resist every idea because “that’s not how I was always told to do it”; and those who embrace change.
Guess which group is the least common?
If you guessed the ones who embrace change, you’re right.
Why the resistance? For starters, with the downturn of the economy and uneven recovery, people are wary about spending money for services, even as they realize they would benefit from professional help. But here’s the kicker: hiring a professional resume service, with writers who are properly trained and credentialed (check out their background and DO NOT use a resume mill), can mean you make $30,000 more over the course of your career versus those who write their resumes themselves, according to the National Resume Writers’ Association. When you think in those terms, the price of a professionally done, modern formatted resume and cover letter makes the cost minimal relative to the return on investment.
I also have found interesting patterns in demographics. While, predictably, those with less experience are more in tune to embracing new ideas, clients who are most used to “old school” ways of doing things typically have not looked for a job in at least a decade. So it’s quite a jolt to them when suggestions are made regarding grammar, syntax, and layout that toss the objective statement, utilize pronouns, or – gasp – don’t use “I” in every paragraph. They’re horrified that hiring managers will think they aren’t professional. But as Martin Yate, a top career expert and author of the Knock ‘Em Dead, puts it: “Any job search…is only as good as the individual sentences that carry your message. The most grammatically correct sentences in the world won’t necessarily get you interviews, because they can read as though every breath of life has been squeezed out of them. Your goal is to communicate an energizing message and entice the reader to action.”
Let’s look at an example.
Sue, a career sales professional, is applying for a job as a regional sales manager. She has 25 years of experience and recently got laid off because her company was sold, so she hasn’t looked for a job in 15 years. Her cover letter reads:
“Dear Sir:
I am writing in response to your job posting for a Regional Sales Manager. I have 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, and I consistently meet sales goals. I am a graduate of the Wharton School of Business, and I also obtained my master’s degree in business from Harvard Business School.
I am a hard worker, energetic, and meet deadlines. I also learn quickly and am very detail oriented.
I would like to speak with you if you feel that my qualifications might meet your needs.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Regards,
Sue Smith”
In this example, Sue uses “I” to begin every sentence and paragraph. While this may have been acceptable practice years ago, today, hiring managers want to know what you can do for them, and there is a new focus on writing and communication skills. Hiring managers often evaluate candidates on cover letters, contrary to advice out there that says cover letters don’t matter. Further, her greeting is very old-fashioned. These days, with the emphasis on political correctness (insert eye roll here if you must), you should say “Hiring Manager.” Better yet, you should try to find the actual name of the hiring manager, and write the letter directly to that person. Additionally, her qualifications are listed in overused, cliché terms that recruiters have seen thousands of times.
Clunk. Did you hear that? It was Sue’s letter and resume hitting the wastebasket. Ouch.
Let’s look at another example.
Jim has been out of school and in the workforce for 5 years. He started as a financial services intern at a major bank, and is now a junior financial analyst. He wants to apply for an internal position as a senior analyst, but needs to showcase how he has moved up in his short career so he can compete with those with more experience. Here’s what Jim wrote in his cover letter:
“Dear Ms. Lisa Johnson:
Having worked at XYZ Bank since 2009, our symbol and values of doing the right thing, taking responsibility, trusting, and teamwork really resonate with me. You and others my team works closely with have seen my work firsthand through the error-free quality reports, Spirit of Excellence Award, and Green Light Audit that I received this year. As was stated by my manager in my most recent performance review, “Jim is a top-notch analyst who is hungry for growth and who tackles additional duties with skill, demonstrating his consistency and increasing expertise. He is ready for a new challenge and we will use next year to stretch him in his role to accomplish this.”
As an accomplished, credentialed, and ethical junior financial analyst, I’m ready for the next step as a senior analyst on your team. My key qualifications include:
Series 7 and 66 Licensing
BA in Economics, 4.0 GPA
Consultative, needs-based approach
Outstanding communication and presentation skills
Ability to analyze complex concepts, ask questions, and produce reports that are in-depth, accurate, and show risk/reward tradeoffs
Consistent promotion throughout my career
Please review my attached resume. I look forward to scheduling an interview with you to discuss how I would make a positive contribution to your team. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jim Jones
jim.jones@email.com
555.555.5555”
Whose letter did you find more interesting?
While Jim’s was more unconventional, it was targeted and showcased his qualities in a way that was inviting to read, assertive, and appealing. He took the time to use the hiring manager’s name. His letter demonstrated his enthusiasm for the company and his desire for a promotion with minimal “I” statements, and used bullet points to illustrate his skills with short phrases. He spoke to his qualifications in a way that showed how he can help the hiring manager in the new position. He also put his contact information so that Lisa could easily contact him for an interview.
Ring, ring! Did you hear that? It’s Jim’s telephone ringing. Lisa wants to talk to him.
In summary, don’t be afraid of change, and be open to new ideas. A good resume service knows the latest HR trends and how to apply them to your situation. Definitely work with them and speak up if you don’t agree with their approach or strategy, but actively listen, be receptive, and engage. While grammar and syntax still matter, as does correct spelling, you can be creative and compelling in your professional documents. When you come across as overly formal, stiff and boring, you’ll blend in with all the other bland letters out there. But if you are energetic and spirited, you’ll be seen as a breath of fresh air – so ride that wind toward getting the interview.
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