What’s Your Edge

Let’s talk about what makes you so special. What gives you an edge?

An average of one job offer is made for every 1470 resumes submitted, so says Richard Bolles, author of the bestseller What Color Is Your Parachute?  This fact demands that your resume be more than a chronological list of jobs; it must be oriented to specific accomplishments. How many thousands of job candidates are there in the world whose resumes look pretty much the same? Your resume should always be tailored to show how your unique talents and accomplishments satisfy the needs of each prospective employer. Ideally, it should address:

            ¨ the accomplishments on your past jobs

            ¨ How you did the job differently

            ¨ What are your unique benefits?

            ¨ In what specific areas does this unique background match

                      the requirements of your prospective employer?

Identify how you had a positive impact on the company, from small problems you solved to major design solutions that saved the company time and money. Many think that their background is a chronological list of jobs, duties, and responsibilities. They miss the achievement and creative aspects. They don't look for the good things they have done, not wanting to appear boastful. However, resumes that are read and result in interviews highlight something special about the candidate. Successful candidates broaden how they perceive themselves--they relate their experiences & training to the employers needs. They "sell themselves" in resumes. How can you do it too?

Promote your USP! (Unique Selling Proposition).  This is a concept known and used by the most successful advertisers in the world. What separates you from the other applicants? Why are you better? What do you do that is special? This is your mission statement. So what do you do best?

Make your USP now! Here are some examples: When you need it absolutely, positively, overnight ©Federal Express. Delivered to your door in 30 minutes or it's free ©Domino's Pizza.

The path to action --

               Create Attention-Desire-Action. Write with a purpose: create your resume & cover letter for attention, desire, and action. Without attention, the letter is put aside, then discarded. Without desire, there is no interest.

Without action, you do not get the interview.

       Focus on action and you’ll have the edge. What else can make you appear different, better, stonger, wiser?

       Here's one idea. Supplement your resume with a skills chart to supply your future employer with all your abilities. You have the edge on all other candidates by doing the interviewer’s work for them. That’s what employers are looking for—initiative. Read more. Get the complete My Coach Guide.