Why Writing Your Own Resume is Hard

Why Writing Your Own Resume is Hard I  had to update my own resume a few months back, mostly as a formality for a large contract resume writing job I was presented with.   It seemed like a joke to me, because as someone who does this full time on a professional level, you would think this would be a cinch. Not so much, and the funny thing is that I often hear the same response from folks in advertising and marketing, professionals who are essentially groomed from day one to create, write about, and design compelling brands that stand out. Heres the thing: its extremely difficult, if not impossible, to write objectively about yourself. Were conditioned to hold biases and opinions around ourselves, to judge, to formulate expectations thats just human nature.   And putting those aside to factually dictate the contributions you made throughout your professional career thats difficult.   You might want to say one thing, but the truth is really another.   Or worse youre compelled to downplay your accomplishments out of a sense of modesty, and not wanting to brag. But thats what a resume is your brag sheet, your sales pitch, your one shot to dazzle and impress your reader with your confidence, passion, and talent, because you have those things.   Now Im a professional resume writer of course Im going to tell you to have someone else critique and write your documents for you.   But it also cant hurt to take a stab at doing it yourself on the initial round.   Why?   Because its excellent practice for the interview, and for getting comfortable around talking about yourself in general. Writers use prompts all the time to stir up inspiration on a topic when theyre hit with a block, and you can do the same in conversation.   Building an effective resume (and any marketing material) starts with a solid foundation around the basic message you want to communicate, and the target audience whom you want to receive it.   So here are a few questions and prompts to help you get started with writing your own marketing text, and conveying your value in general: What do I want potential employers to know about me as a candidate? (Your Message) What overall impression do you want your reader to be left with after they read about you? Think about the things that are more difficult to write about on a resume, like worth ethic, persistence, the fact that you get along with everyone, or that youre open to learning.   Asking this question can open up additional selling points and themes you hadnt thought of before. It also sets the overriding message for your resume, and can help you craft the rest of your content. What do I bring to the table in terms of my core skills and strengths? (Your Value) You might be hard working and dedicated, but what kind of specific knowledge, tools, and skills do you use on a daily basis to contribute value?   Maybe youre an excellent relationship builder whos able to bring people together, or be the voice of reason between internal teams and over-demanding clients.   Specific works better here than high-level ideas. What are my weaknesses? (Your Professional Outlook) This is not a trick interview question its meant to provide insight. So instead of doling out a safety answer like perfectionism, or a lack of proficiency in a skill thats irrelevant to the job, talk about where you want to gain more experience.   Management? Certain technologies? As long as it points to an interest in learning and growth and not a deficiency in skills required for the job, its a solid answer. What do I truly enjoy doing day to day?   What do I not enjoy? (Where You Thrive) Its easy to be blinded by good salary, lofty benefits, or an interesting workplace; But its critical to know what components of your jobs past and present you truly enjoy and that, conversely, youre not willing to tolerate.   This will help guide you in determining what kinds of companies or roles are a good fit by helping you understand in what type(s) of situation(s) you do your best work. While these prompts can help you set a foundation around what you want to communicate in your resume, your cover letter, and even your LinkedIn or other profiles, theyre also key points for having the conversation around your career history and where you see yourself going next.   Notice how these are framed in a factual way rather than a boasting one.   Its not about tooting your horn its about knowing who you are and what you bring to the table, where you do your best work, and how you want to position yourself out there in the professional world.   My suggestion? Practice with a friend, perfect it on your own, and then rock it in the interview! Photo Credit: Tim Kirman of Flickr .