By now you’ve probably seen our Don’t Be Dave video resume spoof. Dave’s cringe-worthy video blunders are fun to watch, but if you’re hungry for usable tips to help your job search, check out this recent post on AOL's Jobs blog by Barbara Safani, expert resume writer, job search strategist, and owner of Career Solvers. Safani translated Dave’s video missteps into nine valuable recommendations you can use to fix your traditional written resume.
Cleverly categorizing the errors under headings such as The Task Master, she points out that Dave describes skills and tasks, but offers nothing to back them up or show an employer the potential value he can offer. "When you are up against hundreds of applicants with similar skills," says Safani, "you are unlikely to stand out by just talking about stuff you do. Your job tasks are .jpg "Traditional Resumes")
not unique."
That’s a mistake many written resumes share. The fix? "Highlight the way you execute on those job tasks—that is what differentiates you and makes you successful."
Be sure to read the other eight categories of tips, including The Time Warp, The Contextual Train Wreck, and The Cheese Doodle.
In the end, if you really want to stand out, leave the gimmicky schemes to the unhirable Daves of the world, and stick to a well-written resume that targets the employer’s specific needs and illustrates how qualified you are to meet them.
Have you ever been tempted to use a gimmick to get an employer’s attention? Do you know anyone who actually tried? Let us know in a comment.
RELATED LINKS
Video Resumes: If You Must Create One, Don't Be Dave
Resume Buzzwords: Prove Them or Lose Them