Trying to create that magical resume? You’re probably looking in the wrong place.
Recently, I have noticed an increasing trend - the request for a magical resume that will land professionals their dream job or promotion, seemingly just by gazing upon it. In a world where creating an appealing personal brand has become increasingly important to a successful job search or career, it makes sense that so many are focused on making sure their resumes represent the best of their experience, skills, and talents.
Unfortunately, many people expend their efforts on fitting into the mold of who or what they believe will get them hired, but are disappointed when time after time they don’t get beyond an initial interview if they even get that far. That disappointment then begins a deeper cycle of declining self-confidence and increasing self-doubt. However, in the quest to create this magical resume that in one bright shiny document will represent all the wonderful qualities potential employers might potentially want to see in a candidate, many people are skipping one key factor.
The true key to creating a resume is not magical at all, although it does require hard work. The key to creating a powerful resume is self-development. Before you spend money on a fancy resume template or a resume writer, the real work begins within yourself. The most impactful first step anyone can take in career development, regardless of whether that is for a new job, a promotion or expanding a current role, is to take a step back and look inward at who you are and what is important to you. Personal values, interests, natural talents, and yes, most especially your dreams and goals should all be factored into the equation along with your standard education, work experience, certifications, and references.
In addition, it is imperative that you review not only your successes but also take an unbiased and sometimes difficult look at areas that have historically been holding you back. One of the common challenges my clients face in the beginning is feeling stuck and subsequently helpless about how they became stuck in the first place. This “stuck” feeling is often addressed by taking a deep and honest dive into the situations and relationships in their careers (and lives) that are representative of the times they feel opportunities were missed or “lost”, and finding a new perspective on how things might be different in the future. Understanding the way you communicate, interpret circumstances and engage with others can provide powerful insight into how you show up in the world, both in person and on the written pages of your resume.
Once you have gone through this process of self-assessment, you will have a new level of clarity about not just who you are, but also what you want, and in turn, how you choose to present yourself in a resume. While there are obviously helpful tips and tools you can use to present a resume that will get you noticed, it is much more powerful to use them when you know what you want and what you have to offer. When you are able to release the fear of just wanting to land the job, and instead have the confidence to present yourself and your talents in the way that truly reflects who you are, the “magic” becomes real.
The myth of the magical resume isn’t a myth at all. Your resume and personal brand do not magically create you. You create the magic by virtue of who you are, what you have accomplished, and the work you have done within yourself.
“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already.”
― J.K. Rowling