The purpose of a résumé

Glenford Smith, Career Writer

In response to the question about the purpose of a résumé, an informal survey revealed that 50 per cent of people said, "to give the potential employer information about yourself, your qualifications and your experience."

And, 40 per cent of respondents said "to get you an interview."

While based upon an admittedly cursory and unscientific study, this finding is instructive. It suggests that most people are well schooled in traditional résumé dogma, as these responses coincide precisely with what one finds in a typical book on the subject.

In a work world where career advancement is increasingly uncertain and intensely competitive, however, these time-honoured beliefs, though useful, are somewhat restrictive and misleading.

Let me explain. There are actually several reasons for writing a résumé; getting an interview is just one, usually when one replies to an advertised job opening. However, the purpose of a self-employed person's résumé may be to get work from new clients.

An employed person who fears imminent redundancy may prepare a résumé for an employment agency. Rather than aiming to be interviewed, this would enable him or her to be better matched with prospective employers based on unique interests, work experience and goals.

Someone who is transitioning into a new career may prepare a résumé, not so much to get an interview but to open doors in sectors of the employment market where he or she doesn't have any experience.

Another equally important concern with the responses received has to do with thinking of a résumé as merely providing information about one's work history - skills, experience, qualifications.

Nicolas Lore, internationally recognised career counsellor and author of The Pathfinder notes: "It is a mistake to think of your résumé as a history of your past, as a personal statement, or as a means of self-expression."

He advises instead to write your résumé from an intention to create interest, and to persuade.

If you are wondering what difference this makes, the answer is 'a big one'.

Writing a résumé to persuade forces you to consider the interests and needs of your targeted recipient, rather than focusing on yourself - your interests, your qualifications, your experience, your skills.

The reality is that no one, apart from you, could care less about these things.

Sell yourself

A prospective employer cares primarily about whether you can help his or her company succeed.

So your job in writing a résumé is essentially to sell yourself as the perfect answer to meet the prospective employer's needs.

In other words, think of yourself as a marketer and your résumé as a marketing tool, or advertisement. The purpose of every good ad is simple: to sell a specific product - in this case, you - with specific, direct benefits to a specific market.

In response to the introductory question, only 10 per cent of persons replied, "A resume is a marketing tool, something to sell yourself to a prospective employer."

Yet this one distinction can make a world of difference in how you approach job-hunting, and the results you get.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and personal achievement strategist.

glenfordsmith@yahoo.com