Getting your player ready...
Were you gung ho to receive a résumé critique but are now faced with a seemingly insurmountable list of suggested changes? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, follow these tips to get your résumé on track.
Consider the Source. Critiques from professional résumé writers or hiring managers in your industry should be given careful consideration. But if you’ve received negative feedback from a friend who is unfamiliar with your field or whose last job search coincided with the market launch of the Rubik’s Cube, consider the source, and seek out additional opinions. Absorb the Feedback. “What I have found in more than 19 years in the résumé-writing business is that job seekers get overwhelmed by the feedback,” says Kathy Sweeney, a résumé writer and president of the nonprofit National Resume Writers’ Association. Even with detailed recommendations, job seekers can find it challenging to incorporate suggestions, she adds. Sweeney advises job seekers to avoid getting defensive when faced with criticism and take time to absorb the feedback. She recommends studying job postings to identify the credentials employers find desirable, comparing your findings to the résumé advice received and incorporating changes to your résumé that show how you meet or exceed employers’ requirements. Don’t Take It Personally. “Honest criticism is hard to take, especially from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger,” author Franklin P. Jones once joked. But there’s truth to this statement. Keep in mind why you asked for feedback in the first place. It wasn’t to bask in praise but to collect solid, constructive advice. “Writing an outstanding résumé is not something that is taught in schools,” observes Sweeney. So don’t be too hard on yourself. “Résumé-speak” is a unique form of written communication, and even accomplished writers can find it challenging to convey their achievements on paper. Daniel Drubin, PhD, author of “Letting Go of Your Bananas: How to Become More Successful by Getting Rid of Everything Rotten in Your Life,” points out that negative feedback on your résumé is not the same thing as negative feedback on you as a person. “Your résumé may tell what you have done but does not necessarily indicate the quality of your character,” Drubin explains. “The better you feel about who you are, the less sensitive you will be to the opinions of others.” Let Go of the Past. Most job seekers are grateful to have spelling or grammatical errors detected, and these are usually easy fixes. But criticisms of your résumé’s content can be tougher to digest.
