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PUBLICATION

Title:	Branding and the Basics…
Source:	Chicago Hospital News
Publish Date:	02/01/2006
Author:	Mary Speiser

Branding and the Basics…
by Mary Speiser
(February 2006 - Volume 3 - Issue 12)
http://www.chicagohospitalnews.com/archives/default.asp?page=3&articleID=863

Writing a Resume That Makes You Stand Out in the Modern Workplace!

Some people think of a resume as their "life on a page," but how could anyone put everything important about one’s self on a single piece of paper (or two)? Actually, resumes are much more specific, including only relevant information about yourself for specific employers.

Like a life, however, a resume is always growing and changing. As your career goals shift or the job market changes--as you grow personally and professionally--chances are you will need to re-write your resume or at least create new versions. Writing a resume is a lifelong process.

How do you know what in your life--past, present, and future--is most relevant to prospective employers? How do you select which information to include? The quick answer to both these questions is "it depends." It depends on your individual career goals as well as on the professional goals of the companies hiring in your area or field of interest. In the end, only you, through research, planning, questioning and self-reflection, can determine the shape and content of your resume, but the strategies below along with those on the job search, can help you ask the right questions and begin exploring your options.

For many in the professional world, getting noticed in your current position – among your many highly-qualified counterparts – is just as difficult as landing that first big gig. The competition is fierce and, well, you know the mantra – "It’s every man for himself." So just how do you make yourself stand out in that giant corporate fishbowl?

All professionals need a personal brand, it doesn’t matter whether you are searching for a new job or not. Personal branding is a way of clarifying and communicating what makes you different and special. It’s a way of understanding your unique attributes, skills, strengths, value and passion to separate you from other equally qualified candidates.

Consider Disney – family entertainment is their brand. You would never see them promoting something that is off-brand.

So, what is your brand? If you are a CEO, for example, what is your brand? How do you make yourself memorable among the thousands of other CEOs in our industry? If you’re an Administrative Assistant, Attorney, Public Relations Director…what is your personal brand? Everyone that is working now or intends to work in the future needs a brand.

Now, let’s construct an effective resume – Organize your information in a logical fashion and keep descriptions clear and to the point. A quick review of the basics:
1. The Content of Your Resume
a. Name, address, telephone, email. All contact information should go at the top of your resume
i. Avoid nicknames
ii. Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. Have an answering machine with a neutral/professional greeting
iii. Choose an email address that sounds professional
2. Summary of your career. The goal of this section is to develop a hard-hitting introductory declaration packed with your most sought-after skills, abilities, accomplishments and attributes.
3. Work/Professional Experience
b. Name of organization (with a brief description of the firm), location of work
c. Title of position with a responsibility statement
d. Dates of employment
e. Emphasis/quantify specific accomplishments
4. Education
a. Most recent is listed first
b. Include your degree, major and minor/concentration
c. The institution attended
d. Include recent/pertinent certifications
5. Other information
a. Key or special skills or competencies
b. Leadership experience in volunteer organizations
Time for a resume check-up! You’ve written your resume. It’s time to have it reviewed and critiqued by someone you can count on to provide you with honest feedback to ensure quality: a friend, family member, or a career counselor. However, don’t change it every time someone suggests – consider whether you are comfortable with it.

• Run a spell check before anyone sees your resume.
• Use professional stationery
• Print on one side of the paper
• Use a non-decorative font, size of 11 or 12 points.

Remember this one thing. There is not one right or wrong way to write a resume. It is however, your first impression to a potential employer…it needs to be as close to perfect as you are capable of doing.

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Mary Speiser is a Consultant at First Transitions, Inc., a corporate-sponsored career transition and executive coaching firm specializing in the healthcare field. She can be reached at (630)571-3311, (312)541-0294 or at mspeiser@firsttransitions.com. Readers also can visit the website at www.firsttransitions.com.