Resume Tactics

A recent conversation with a recruiting contact brought up (again) an old and fundamental resume-writing concept. My associate mentioned that his son, a music/opera major in college, ended up working in New York for a firm that specializes in providing services to PE firms. Dad was proud and slightly bewildered in a “who woulda thunk it” sort of way. After all, his son’s alma mater is two time zones west of NYC, and his music major isn’t the usual prerequisite for landing a job on Wall Street. However, as it turned out, the interviewer also had a music and opera background.

Bingo.

I recall helping a reentering job seeker put together his first resume. Even though he was in his early 40s, there wasn’t much to work with. He’d been “off the market” for much of his adult life, incarcerated and living on and off the street. But he had graduated high school and was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. He was pessimistic about the whole process, insisting he had nothing to list work-wise, so why even bother with a resume?

I convinced him.

We built a basic one-page resume using the odd jobs and training he’d received here and there. Toward the bottom, I suggested an “Education and Service” section listing his high school diploma and military service. The resume strategy for this man was simple: use the two positives (his HS diploma and his military service) as hooks to attract interest. And sure enough, it worked. It took effort, patience, and persistence, just like fishing, but our guy got a bite from, you guessed it, someone who had also been in the Marine Corps.

From experience, I knew that keyword phrases like “US Marine Corps” have mystical powers. No kidding. Without consciously knowing it, the eyeballs of other former Marines spot this every time. It jumps off the page and demands further scrutiny. And with that, mission accomplished. Our guy’s resume stood out. It got a second look, followed by an interview and eventual job.

So, what’s the takeaway…that interviewers look for something to discuss beyond the duties and responsibilities listed in the job description? Yes, we/I do. Guilty as charged. Or maybe they look for opportunities to talk about themselves and their experiences with someone who’s had similar experiences. Okay, I’ll admit it. Or maybe interviewers are people (and not bots) with personal histories, preferences, interests, and a whole bunch of other stuff that makes them spot music majors or ex-Marines from all the others.

The lesson from these examples is to include personal “distinguishers”—things that are real and unique to you even if they don’t connect or align with your career path or objective. Indeed, the core of your resume must present your education, qualifications, and experience appropriately and professionally. That said, it’s also important to introduce more about you in a fun or clever way. Give yourself an edge. Bait the hook for someone who might take an interest and another look.

BTW, the resume line items about being a music major, former Marine, or anything similar will go unnoticed by everyone except those looking, consciously or unconsciously. So, find a way to show more of you.

BTW II, I do wonder what the bots think about this.

Onward!