MISSION POSSIBLE: LAND A GREAT JOB FAST-Make a Paradigm Shift From Me-Centric to Employer-Centric and Write a Personal Statement of Purpose + Value

The number one mistake D.I.Y. resume writers make is not viewing their job search documents from the employer’s perspective. Your resume is not all about you. It is all about what an employer wants to know about you. Instead of an old school, self-serving, general objective statement stating what you want in your next job, take a difference approach. Write a personal statement that shows what you have to offer prospective employers, and how you can be of service to them. 

Start your resume with a title, a headline stating what you do in your professional role. Follow with a subtitle, a tag line containing a brief personal branding statement—a one-liner describing your differentiation, your marketability, your value. For example, a sales representative might write:


ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE / TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Growing Revenues in a Highly Competitive Market

Here is the formula. State your purpose (job title/industry) followed by a value statement “I am known for _______.”

Follow the headline and tag line with a professional profile or career summary. This part of your resume is called the “assertions section.” It the perfect place to declare your knowledge, skills, and abilities using noun-based core competency statements.

For example, provide years of experience in a particular industry followed by your strengths in a sentence string:

10 Years of Sales/Marketing Experience:
Sales Prospecting - Lead Generation -·Sales Presentations - Consultative Sales - Tech-Based Solutions - Contract Negotiation/Closing - Market Research/Analysis - Market Penetration/Expansion · Key Accounts Management - New Business Development - Business Relationship Management

A personal branding statement followed by a list of core competencies is the best way to let your employer know the value you bring to the workplace.

Only on rare occasions, do I write a career objective statement to describe a person’s desire to work in an area where he or she  has little or no experience. A recent college graduate might write, “Seeking an entry-level position as a Mechanical Engineer for an Aerospace Corporation with the opportunity to work in research, design, development, and testing of structures, propulsion units, guidance and control subsystems for jet aircraft.” This gives the student the keywords to get past a computerized search.

Here’s another example. A young administrative assistant passed over for promotion within an insurance company decided to pursue employment with a local hospital. She wrote, “Seeking a career in office management where my proven organizational, communications, and customer service skills gained in the insurance industry would be of service to your hospital admissions team.”

In most cases, personal branding statements work better than objective statements. Like a well-crafted advertising campaign, a personal statement of purpose and value is memorable. It tells the employer what you do. It places the focus on serving the employer’s needs and demonstrates the value you bring to the workplace.

Job Seeker, this simple shift in focus from me-centric to employer-centric will make your resume an attention-grabber.




© 2014 Sharla Taylor – All rights reserved. 

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