My thoughts on resume writing

I have a BIG confession to make.

As a qualified resume and selection criteria writer and job search coach, I prefer working with clients applying for government jobs. WHY?

Well, it has absolutely nothing to do with the type of client I work with – as I’m blessed in that 99% of the clients I attract are exactly the sort of client I love working for, whether for the private or public sector.

It also has nothing to do with the documents I craft, as I love shaping applications for both the public and private sector and have complete mastery in both.

Nope, the reason I prefer government applications, comes down to a question of control (or rather the control I have over a process) and client expectations!

You see the difference between clients going for a government, as opposed to a private sector job, is that when a client goes for a government job – they are applying for a very specific job and go through a very specific recruitment process (mandated in law).

Before I even provide a quote, I look at their background and history and I only complete an application on their behalf, if I’m confident that they have a very good chance of securing an interview. If I think the application could be borderline, (that is I don’t think a client is a good fit, or reading between the lines, I think the job is targeted for an internal applicant), I’ll tell my clients – so NO ugly surprises for anyone.

As a result, I get the bulk of my clients through to interview (not everyone, but a huge percentage get through) simply because the process is pretty much set in concrete, there is a very specific job target and I can perfectly tailor an application.

On the other hand, creating a resume for the private sector is a ‘whole new ball game’. Unlike government, there is no strict process in place and if an organisation has a process, it will vary enormously. Plus most HR departments will be inundated with applications and the process of recruitment in the private sector boils down to rapport and connection (as well as the qualifications and experience).

While I can dramatically improve a client on paper and tailor a resume to suit their next career aspiration and ensure a client puts their best foot forward – the problem with the private sector, is once this technically perfect and well crafted resume leaves Outlook, I have absolutely NO control over the document (zip, zero, zilch). AND it is this lack of control I intensely dislike, as I would like ALL of my clients to win the job search battle!

You see, I have no control whether the resume is actually going to be used for the purposes it was designed for, if the client successfully tailors a cover letter, or e-cover note for each and every job, whether the client successfully establishes rapport and puts themselves out there (not just relying on job boards), or gets the resume in front of the right decision maker (and the right person is usually not HR, as they are the bouncers of any organisation).

With government applications, there is more order, more control. While the process is far from perfect (and I mean SO far from perfect), in the majority of cases it is simply a case of targeting the perfect job that is advertised and developing and submitting a near perfect application, to get a foot in the door. No worries about age, culture, ethnicity, or connections – it is basically about whether you meet the criteria or not.

The private sector is different, so VERY different. You can’t just rely on the technically perfect resume – there is just SO much more to the job search process.

• It is about establishing rapport with the job search consultant
• It is about ensuring that your FaceBook page is locked down, so potential employers can’t view your private life
• It is about tweaking and shaping your application for each and every job
• It is about making connections, networking and tapping into the hidden job market
• It is about applying for jobs that your resume was designed for (that is not applying for a job that is above or below the level or unrelated to your last job)
• It is about applying for a job where you will fit in with the culture

And the list goes on……….

YES, a professional resume for the private sector, will dramatically improve the odds and lead to job search success (and many of my clients will attest to that) and yes a resume can make or break your application – but unlike the government sector, it is just one element to job search success.