How Well Do You Express Your Value?

How Well Do You Express Your Value?

One of the outgrowths of the last two years under pandemic work-life is a phenomenon that has been dubbed the “Great Resignation,” (which I personally call the “Great Reflection”). The phenomenon stems from individuals taking a step back and contemplating if the type of work they were doing pre-pandemic is still the work they would like to do. In addition, it also stems from the reflection that in doing that work in the past, many spent a sizable chunk of their day commuting to and from their place of work. The pandemic gave many an opportunity to see what it was like to work from their own home and the benefits that might afford to their overall lifestyle.

As a result of what has been happening, I’ve been receiving more requests than usual asking from others help in either writing or enhancing their resume’. Often the individual making the request has not had to address their resume’ for a number of years. They have heard how resumes today are completed differently than in the past. Perhaps they have also heard about resumes being screened against computer BOTS that look to see how the resume stacks up against a job description. Often questions abound as to how long or short the resume’ needs to be. However, it is rare that I get the question or comment, “How can you best help bring out my value to a perspective employer on my resume?”

Whenever, I draft a resume for a client, that is the number one question I ask myself. I’ll look at the resume they have provided me, and any additional information they’ll have to add, and I’ll say, what has this individual accomplished that needs to be highlighted? How does one best summarize the type of professional this is, and what they have to offer a perspective hiring manager? Am, I able to bring out the key skills or competencies that describe what this professional is all about?

While indeed machines may screen many resumes today, especially those supplied to online job postings, the intention is to get hiring managers and companies with job openings TO READ YOUR RESUME’. Admittedly, if in the hands of a very busy individual, they likely will first scan the document. Often, they’ll focus on the top 1/3 of the first page, (where they are expecting to find a summary of what the individual offers and keywords to describe the professional). Passing that point, and if still interested, there will be a scanning of the job positions held, and the career progression. A well written resume will have a lot of “accomplishment statements” within it. An accomplishment statement is one where as succinctly as possible the writer conveys to the reader, the challenge faced, the action taken, the results of that action and the value that brought to the company for whom you were working. Those statements are not a direct copying of your job description duties. They are not an explanation of the tasks for which you had responsibility. Those statements are the answer to the question that the reader likely has which is, “What value can I expect in hiring you, based on what you have done for other employers during your career?”

Expressing yourself in the form of accomplishment statements and stories is not easy for many. For some, there is a sense of discomfort in it, in that they feel as if they are bragging about themselves. Others feel they need to explain what they can do by providing a long-winded explanation of what they have done in their career. However, in building a sound job search strategy for oneself, the savvy job searcher begins to see that those accomplishment statements and stories not only become part of their resume’, but also their Linked In profile, their verbal introduction pitch, and as answers to job interview questions. The job searcher that ultimately makes the most progress in their search is the one that can express to the one looking to hire what value they bring to help the hiring company solve their problems.

Therefore, if you have seen this time of post pandemic as a time to reflect on your career and where you may want to take it next, just don’t ask someone to rewrite your resume’. Reflect on what you have accomplished in each job of which you have been a part. Be ready to describe those achievements in the form of expressing what you did to help the company for which you worked succeed in their mission. And, above all, make sure your bullets describing your work pass the “So What?” test. Don’t leave the reader saying, “So What?” to your accomplishment statements, but instead “Tell Me More,” of how you accomplished that in the work that you did.