Guerrilla Marking for Job Hunters 2.0 Part 17

I remember when I first saw David's Extreme Resume example, and I thought it was pretty cool. I had some endors.e.m.e.nts on Linkedin.com, which I quoted in the margin, added accomplishments and skills, and got it together over a few days. I remember at the time that it seemed like such a bold way to do a resume. I was just sure the first time I sent it to anyone I'd get clobbered. My earlier efforts at nontraditional resume styles resulted in surly calls demanding a rewrite. I just didn't get the point. I'd rewrite it, resend it, and never hear anything again.

I sent my Extreme Resume to the first opportunity, and immediately got a call. The person was very interested in me, but then asked if I could send a "real" resume. At first I was frustrated. After all, isn't a resume supposed to be the silver bullet? First date, courts.h.i.+p, and marriage proposal all in one doc.u.ment? Nope. Part of David's advice was that the only purpose of a resume is to get a call. get a call. And it did. It took me a while to understand this and really leverage it. And it did. It took me a while to understand this and really leverage it.

"Real resume?" I learned to ask, innocently. "What do you mean?" The ensuing conversation was a great chance to learn what was important to the caller and was always decisive and effective, even if the opportunity wasn't a good fit. It helped me better understand what I was really looking for, and also helped me tweak the resume to better represent myself. Usually the person would ask about something that was already on the resume. "Where's your work history?" they'd ask. I'd point it out to them, and they'd soften. It's about getting enough foot in the door so you can start a conversation and real communication.

I used my Extreme Resume to get my current position, and the human resources director made no bones about telling me she loved it. Others, including headhunters, have said the same. I've had a few who apologetically asked for it in word format, or in strict chronological format, to satisfy the computer-based resume systems. That's okay, I don't mind because by then it's done the job-the rest is just satisfying the bureaucracy.

I've also had a few who just didn't get it. I've learned to not chase after them because if they don't understand the resume, then I'm not going to be a good fit. It's good to remember that the goal isn't just a position, it's the right right position. position.

Compliments of Steve Duncan at www.linkedin.com/in/steveduncan/.

The Extreme Extreme version takes the Standard Guerrilla Resume to a whole new level. Like a triple espresso or a Ferrari Testarossa, it's not for everyone. version takes the Standard Guerrilla Resume to a whole new level. Like a triple espresso or a Ferrari Testarossa, it's not for everyone.

CAUTION.

If you use an Extreme Guerrilla Resume, be prepared to back it up with facts and figures in the interview. You will be asked! So be sure to doc.u.ment your claims meticulously ahead of time.

Use an Extreme Guerrilla Resume if you: * Face enormous compet.i.tion for a limited number of jobs and need to crush your compet.i.tion* Want to "test the waters" before launching a comprehensive job hunt* Want to create a job in a company that has no openings

This version has all the parts of a Standard Guerrilla Resume, plus one or more of the following (the more of these you include, the more powerful your finished product will be): * Proof section (mandatory): Proof section (mandatory): This column goes on the left side of the resume, below your name. Here you can insert logos of past/current employers or clients, to take advantage of the halo effect of prestigious company names. Also, you can include quotes from people familiar with your work; these function like mini-testimonials and are This column goes on the left side of the resume, below your name. Here you can insert logos of past/current employers or clients, to take advantage of the halo effect of prestigious company names. Also, you can include quotes from people familiar with your work; these function like mini-testimonials and are extremely extremely powerful. powerful.* "Grabber" statement at the top (optional): This can be a dictionary definition ("rainmaker" or "catalyst," for example) or a brief quote from someone familiar with your work. The grabber functions as a hook to literally grab a reader's attention. This can be a dictionary definition ("rainmaker" or "catalyst," for example) or a brief quote from someone familiar with your work. The grabber functions as a hook to literally grab a reader's attention.* Career Driver section (optional): Career Driver section (optional): This aggressively worded statement comes right before your experience section. Here is where you tell employers-in no uncertain terms-how much better you will make their lives after you are hired. This aggressively worded statement comes right before your experience section. Here is where you tell employers-in no uncertain terms-how much better you will make their lives after you are hired.

Done correctly, an Extreme Guerrilla Resume will get you an interview almost every time. It's that powerful.

In Appendix 2 take a look at an Extreme Guerrilla Resume that won the author a job.

The Standard Guerrilla Resume

In Chapter 2 you a.s.sembled the necessary facts, figures, and results. It's time to start putting them all together. It's time to start writing.

Create a Standard Guerrilla Resume. Even if you plan to do an Extreme version later, you'll still need to include the parts found in this chapter.

To recap, your Standard Guerrilla Resume is made up of the following 5 components: 1. Objective or Summary2. Select Accomplishments and/or Special Skills3. Experience4. Education/Training5. Additional Information

And, it bears repeating that your Guerrilla Resume, whether it's a Standard or Extreme version, will be one page in length-no more. You may be asked to bring a longer, 2-page resume, but don't worry, just do a 1-page Guerrilla Resume aimed directly at their needs.

Objective or Summary

The first and most important part of your Guerrilla Resume is the Objective or Summary statement at the beginning. It should be focused on either one job t.i.tle or one narrow skill set.

A narrow focus is essential, because you don't have 10 or 15 seconds for your resume to impress readers, as you may have thought. You have only about 3 seconds to impress today's harried, hurried, frenetic, time-starved readers. That is, employers must find something compelling in the first 3 seconds of reading your resume for them to want to keep reading. Otherwise, it goes in the trash.

So let's make the most of this all-important real estate at the top of your Guerrilla Resume-the part they'll see in those first 3 seconds-by leading with an eye-catching opening.

If you don't know the t.i.tle of the job you're applying for, you should at least know what skills you can use. So, start your resume with 1 of 2 headings: Objective or Summary.

An Objective including a job t.i.tle is a great way to start your resume. It shows that you know exactly what job the employer is trying to fill. Examples: It shows that you know exactly what job the employer is trying to fill. Examples:

OBJECTIVE.

Restaurant Management where more than 10 years of food service and management experience will contribute to efficient operations. where more than 10 years of food service and management experience will contribute to efficient operations.

OBJECTIVE.

Network Administrator where 3 years of successful experience and training will add value. where 3 years of successful experience and training will add value.

OBJECTIVE.

Pharmaceutical Sales Rep where 8 years of training and experience in health care and sales will add to profitability. where 8 years of training and experience in health care and sales will add to profitability.

Notice the language and format here. By starting off with the t.i.tle of the job you know the employer is trying to fill, it's like calling them by their first name. It shows you know something about their company and their situation. It creates immediate rapport with your reader and gives you an immediate advantage. It's so simple, yet so powerful!

Plus, not only does the wording of this Objective tell the hiring manager exactly what job you want to fill, it also tells him that you want to "add" or "contribute" something that will make his life easier. Again, this is simple, subtle, and ... ... effective! effective!

But what if you don't know the exact job t.i.tle the employer wants to fill? (Well, you should, from your research of the company and its job postings. So don't give up that easily.) (Well, you should, from your research of the company and its job postings. So don't give up that easily.)

But let's say you don't have one specific job in mind. Then what?

Start your Guerrilla Resume with a Summary. This will focus the reader on the skills you've used while giving you a bit more flexibility to apply for different jobs. Bonus: Bonus: you can include a second "killer" sentence that compels the reader to keep going. Examples: you can include a second "killer" sentence that compels the reader to keep going. Examples:

SUMMARY.

Seeking a position where network engineering/administration network engineering/administration and and software development software development skills and experience will add value. Accustomed to long hours in pursuit of company goals. skills and experience will add value. Accustomed to long hours in pursuit of company goals.

SUMMARY.

Experienced quality management quality management professional with 10+ years of proven results. Turned around quality and operations for 2 business units, increasing efficiency 100 percent (2005- 2006). professional with 10+ years of proven results. Turned around quality and operations for 2 business units, increasing efficiency 100 percent (2005- 2006).

SUMMARY.

Accomplished customer relations management customer relations management professional with 5 years of award-winning experience. Quadrupled client satisfaction ratings, from 1.0 to 4.0 average (2003-present). professional with 5 years of award-winning experience. Quadrupled client satisfaction ratings, from 1.0 to 4.0 average (2003-present).

Again, note the language here, especially those killer second sentences.

The way I see it, why wait to fire off your big guns? You already have the reader's attention, so why not include a compelling fact about you in this first section? Doing so will force her to read the next section of your Guerrilla Resume. And the next section. Line by line you build and stoke the fires of her desire to meet you. Then, she calls you!

Whether to use an Objective or Summary can be a sticking point for some people. Some folks even leave them off the resume, because they want to be considered for all jobs.

No, no, no-Never Do This!

A focused resume is a powerful resume. A resume that tries to be all things to all people ends up being nothing at all. You can always write a second or third resume to give you more options.