3FE: Lock The Job - Is Your Resume Courageous?

This is a very simple question and it is a direct progression of the theme we have been following with regard to resumes.  The question is straightforward.  Pull out your resume.  Look at it.  Is it courageous?

Is your resume courageous? Is the answer yes?  Is the answer no?  Do you even know whether it is or isn’t courageous? 

I need you to pay particular attention.

I’m asking you if the document you have created to represent yourself to the outside world, the sum total of your work experience, if this document boldly represents you in such a fashion as to elicit admiration.  When people look at your resume do they say, “DAMN! THAT IS HOT!”

Let’s clarify for a moment.  Courageous by definition means not deterred by danger, that specific quality that allows a person to face difficulty, to launch oneself into clear and present danger with grit and fierce determination.  Okay we’re talking about resumes so this may sound a bit excessive … but I assure you it is not.

When we talk about each and every one of you out there using 3FE: Find, Focus, establish the Fundamentals, Execute, the critical thinking tool for motivational empowerment, and the core of the Lock The Job process, we’re talking about courage.  

When we talk about the 3FE: Red Resume process, using upwards of 4 different fonts in your resume with at least one differentiating color (like red), and perhaps a professional image of you in the top right corner, we are talking about courage.  Make no mistake we are talking about courage.

This is courageous because I have encountered many of you and to a person without fail you each wear a look of concern, trepidatiousness, fear at the prospect of doing something different to the document that looks just like the document everyone else is submitting for the job you covet.  Is that the way to win?  

Differentiation is absolutely key.  Positive differentiation that is accretive to the job seeking career building process is key.  Positive differentiation that makes you stand out in such a way as to put you head and shoulders above the competition is key.  We are talking about shifting the paradigm with regard to standard practices in the job search.  It’s the 21^st century, don’t you think it’s time for a change?

With due consideration you must go down the path you feel most comfortable pursuing.  If your job search leaves something to be desired but you don’t want to take any chances, then keep on doing what you’re doing.  Better safe then sorry, right?  That is of course unless, sorry you still don’t have a job is the preferred outcome.  And I’m quite certain all of you prefer to Lock The Job.  With that understanding I urge you to hedge your bets, and join me in the paradigm shift. 

Do what is necessary to differentiate your brand.  Stand out.  Be courageous.  Take a second look at your resume and make some changes.  Take a second look at yourself and how you build your network, how you make your connections, how you interview, how you do all that you do with regard to your career, and make some changes.  Don’t settle.  Be courageous.

The Aspiring Critical Thinker,

D.S. Brown