Let Go of Your Resume Baggage
One of the reasons why it is so difficult for people to write their own resume is that there is often so much emotional baggage attached to our careers and it is hard to let go of the things we experienced in each of our jobs. Writing a good resume forces you to make choices about what should and should not be listed in the document and the exercise is similar to cleaning out a closet of cherished items that no longer have a place in your life. If you were going through the clothes and accessories in your closet you would probably ask yourself these questions:
1. Does this still fit?
2. Does this date me?
3. Is this item consistent with current trends?
4. Will I make the right impression with this outfit?
5. Can I pull this look off at my age?
6. Does this outfit make me look like everyone else?
7. Does this look match my industry/professional level?
When was the last time you “cleaned out” your resume? Try asking yourself these same questions to determine what to keep and what to cut. If the information is not relevant to your current job target, let if go.
What a great metaphor! I suggest the same things you’ve suggested at my site, albeit in a more hardcore way. The end result is the same.
People also need to remember that simply updating their resume “closet” is not embellishment, nor fabrication, though I do feel that in some places and circumstances it’s certainly warranted.
People need to stop being so rigid in their thinking, and the way they look at their resumes and careers as a whole. Heavens knows corporate America won’t look out for you so you sure as hell had better!
Derek,
You’re joking, right? Your service advocates for lying on your resume. That’s never cool. You should collaborate with the guy at http://www.careerexcuse.com. You would make a great team.