We’ve all heard that statement. What the heck does it mean?
We learn what seems to work for us. Kids discover this early in life. How to get an extra cookie. Stay up little later. Ger out of a chore. We take that through rest of our lives. As we get older, we refine the techniques that work.
We learn how to apply them in personal relationships. Work, social gatherings, with neighbors, etc.
Is what’s always worked, working now?
Few months ago Michael Gridley had article to determine how you are doing. Turns out provides excellent ammunition when time to upgrade resume.
His advice. Walk through every job you have ever had. Evaluate on 4 points. I added 4 more points.
What were you hired for?
How well did you accomplish that?
What were weak points?
How would your boss rate your success?
Tom’s 4 points:
Why did you accomplish task?
What trait lead to your accomplishment.
Were you promoted?
Why?
Write down the answers for each of your jobs.
I started with my first high school job. Bussing at a restaurant. Here were my answers for that job.
What was I hired for? To bus dishes quickly and quietly being aware of servers around me.
How well accomplished? Promoted within 2 months.
What were weak points? Everything was brand new to me. Turned out a strength. No bad habits to break.
How would boss rate my success? He highly recommended me for other restaurant positions.
Tom’s points:
-Why did you accomplish task? Worked hard. Positive attitude. Willing to help anywhere.
-What trait lead to accomplishment? Attitude I brought to work.
-Was I promoted? Promoted within 3 months to Lead bus boy, then to kitchen helper than to line cook, then short order cook. Finished as Opening Manager 3 years later..
-Why promoted? Work ethic and positive attitude.
Use example above to guide you. Short answers. Off the top of your head. Thinking about answers? You are making this tougher than is.
Once done, now what?
Read through this. Where are the trends.
Were you hired several times to accomplish the same thing?
Do same accomplishments show up repeatedly?
Do your weak points keep changing? (They should, as you grow.)
Do the reasons for your success change?
What are common traits that stand out?
When promoted. Why?
These commonalities are key strengths going forward, just as they were in the past. How do they define your management style? Goals?
How do they determine types of jobs you should look for going forward?
Industries you have been successful in.
Updating your resume
Update your resume around common traits above. These are your key strengths.
Form them into a story.
Was talking with job seeker last week. He had been looking several months. Had several jobs in different industries. Resume looked like patchwork quilt. Asked him to tell me the story on why all the changes in direction. When he told me the story, it all made sense.
I told him to write his resume as a story. What skills he was trying to get that lead him to different industries and jobs. What he learned, that lead him to next job.
He told simple story. Straight and to the point. And what he was looking for now.
Within 2 weeks he had great new job, that will utilize all his skill traits and what he’s learned.
During process he asked if we thought he should revise his resume using AI. Our response was “hell no. This is your story, not AI’s. You are telling it as it is. No one can tell your story better than you.” Only time to fall back on AI for resume? When you and family/friends can’t give you tips.
Only purpose of your resume: To sell you.
That’s why you want to talk about key accomplishments. Include stats and figures. Employers want to know specifically what you did. Then how well you did.
How many times you were promoted? (And who you promoted.) What your strongest traits are.
It’s your job to give employers a reason to hire you. Refine your resume to do that.
Common question we are asked? Should I use a resume writing service? Our answer: That’s always an option. Job seekers write better resumes than resume writing services. Why? Back to, “no one know you better than you do. No one can tell your story better.”
Your 3-week Call to Action (CTA):
-This week write answers for every job you have had.
-Next week: Summarize trends.
-Third week: Rewrite your resume to sell you.
Want critique of your new resume? Send us copy. In email subject line write “Free Critique”
Still need help: Register and book a free call.
Tom Ferree is the founder of Ferree & Associates and SecureEmploy, organizations focused on helping companies find exceptional talent and helping professionals advance their careers. Since founding Ferree & Associates in 1977, Tom has worked extensively with hospitality companies, executives, and rising leaders across the industry. Through SecureEmploy, he shares practical career strategies, leadership insights, and real-world advice to help professionals grow their careers and help organizations build stronger teams.
