Here I am, once again beating my drum about the “storytelling resume” that I am convinced must someday emerge — and that I believe many signs point to.
I’ve written here about a number of concepts, mostly suggested by recruiters, that signal a desire for the resume to evolve into a new form.
The latest comes from Duane Roberts on RecruitingBlogs.com. Roberts foresees the dawn of the “job-wanted description.”
Now, this is not entirely a new idea. Newspapers have long carried a “Positions Wanted” section in their classified sections. Today, people advertise their cleaning, babysitting, and handyperson services in such ads.
Roberts, who doesn’t suggest that the job-wanted description replace the resume but rather supplement it, provides this description:
Anyone who reads your job wanted description should know immediately what your perfect job looks like. When they read this they should know what you do (and have done) well and how you will succeed in this job. There should be no ambiguity. In this case, you are going to be very specific about your expertise.
He suggests that the job-wanted description would include:
- ideal job title — a role that you’ve done and done well.
- a good summary of what you would like to do.
- background information as to why you are in the market and looking.
- A job-responsibilities section in which you get into specific details.
Roberts didn’t say what this description would look like. Although several comments had been posted, they seem to have disappeared. One comment asked how the job-wanted description would differ from a resume objective statement. I asked what the job-wanted description would look like.
A job-wanted description is counter to commonly dispensed job-search advice not to be self-serving — in other words, don’t tell what the employer (or position) can do for you, tell what you can do for the employer. But perhaps it’s part of the new perspective that social media has brought to recruiting and the job search.
In storytelling terms, a job-wanted description could be a “future story” that would enable an employer to picture you performing in exactly the kind of job in which you would most excel.
So let’s review some of the other story-related suggestions for resume replacements or components thereof that recruiters have hinted at and I’ve reported on:
- Personalization through talent communities
- Social-media resumes
- The VisualCV brand of resume
- Blogs
- Profiles, whether profiles on already existing social-media venues such as LinkedIn or Facebook, or specialized profiles on job and career sites.
Perhaps the elusive Storytelling Resume will incorporate elements from some or all of these concepts.
And one more sign on the horizon, a new site called BriteTab, which will have a beta release this month, claims to be “changing the face of resumes.” Its tagline is “Resumes with Personality.” Virtually no information is available on its Web site, but you can sign up to be informed of the beta release. I don’t know if this concept is related to storytelling, but it will be interesting to find out.
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Kathy, This is timely. I'm working with clients to revise many resumes these days.
Reading your other posts, I don't know if resumes accomplish "true storytelling." (but that's another conversation)
Now I use a "job wanted" section, but I don't call it that (sounds too dated). In fact, the title or role client wants is first on the resume - no section heading. The title reflects what the candidate wants (future), which can be a role or title the candidate has had, or one they have not had, but desires. It is very different from the objective statement.
The "future story" resume need not counter traditional "what can you do for the company" job advice. The problems a candidate most wants to solve need to be the problems the organization has. That's the best candidate.
Kathy -
Appreciate you picking up and continuing the discussion on the job wanted description. I'm not sure what happened to the conversation either; seems it was deleted but I've gathered all of the comments (30 of them) on my blog.
In response to your question - The job wanted description would be used to really get the hiring person to see what you were most interested and accomplished in. It would not be tailored to a specific job like the cover letter. This is a static document, that highlights what you want in a job. That’s why it might not won’t work in every situation.
Thanks again.
Duane
http://www.careerunleashed.com/wordpress/index.php?p=551
Thanks for your comments, Duane and Melissa.
Although I am out of the resume-writing business, when I occasionally do them for selected clients, I, too, employ the "position wanted" technique you recommend, Melissa. I call this resume element a headline, and I often use it in conjunction with a branding statement, as seen here: http://www.quintcareers.com/Quintessential_Careers_Press/Words_Hired_By/Chapter1/page10.html
I agree that the future story can be framed as "problems I can solve for your company" rather than "what your company can do for me," but I'm not sure that's what Duane has in mind. Duane, maybe since you've entered the conversation, you can enlighten us. I would still really like to see a sample of what you have in mind.
Katharine,
I wasn't thinking more of this is who I am, and what I have to offer. Again, this method won't work in all situations.
Here's a quick idea of what I had in mind –
Duane Roberts has over 13 years experience in the recruiting industry. He has most recently worked as an executive recruiter and focuses on the placement of executive level candidates; Senior Director level and above. He has taken his expertise and understanding of the hiring process and recently launched a web application that manages the process of looking for a job. Considering his technical slant, he is well versed in terms of social marketing and promotion. He He is actively pursuing opportunities as an executive search professional or consulting for your organization as you build your social media practice.
———————-
You can see how narrow and focused this would be. Also, it would not change based on the job like a cover letter or resume. It's meant to give a snapshot of who I am and what I am looking for. (I have kept this one brief to just give a sense of what I had in mind). The “real” description would flush out my background, company and why I was qualified for the roles mentioned. I would also discuss the positions that I was not interested in. Again, this would not change. If a hiring manager were interested in seeing my resume, I’d send them one that spoke to the specific job they had in mind.
Duane, Thanks for the example, it certainly helps clarify what you are talking about. I get a sense of story - what you've done, are doing now, and want to do.
I'd love to continue the conversation. How does the above example differ from the information at the start of most resumes? You've said a major benefit is that it doesn't need to be customized, but there are other tools out there that aren't customized. Where and how would you use this? How is it different than what you have on LinkedIn or a good resume and why is it more effective?
Maybe I need to see it in context of your website. I'm a big fan of anything that can make the job search process easier for candidates and employers alike, and always like passing along tips to my clients.
Thanks Duane!
I'd like to see the conversation continue, too. Of the items you mention, Melissa, Duane's example strikes me as most like a LinkedIn profile or profile on other social-media sites. I can also see Duane's example working much better with recruiters than employers.
Thanks for the mention of BriteTab. As an update we are now accepting people into the beta program at www.britetab.com.
There's also a good deal more about the product so you have a fuller sense of the possibilities.
Thanks for the update, Mike.