I got this email the other day (via a client of mine who subscribes to one of the many "do it yourself sites"):
When youre looking to make a successful career move, there are two documents that executives need -
a dynamite resume and a compelling executive bio. Together they represent your two most critical
marketing documents, but they are very different documents, written in different styles and used in
different ways. The trick is, executive-level resumes and bios can not afford to be merely good
good is simply not good enough they have to be exceptional if they are going to open the right doors for
you.
Before you understand the right words to use, you need to understand how these documents are
constructed from a strategic standpoint, then its a matter of applying a few advanced writing,
formatting, and content techniques that produce dynamic documents, clearly articulate your value to an
organization, and ensure that you are the one they want to meet.
Powerful Resumes & Executive Bios: The Best Tips and Strategies
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
4:00-5:30 PM ET
Key Things You will Learn:
In this 90-minute session, Ross will walk you through the best practices for constructing powerful
resumes and executive bios. Specifically, youll learn:
- How resumes and bios differ how to build them, how to use them
- The Top 5 things that must be in an executive resume if its going to be effective
- A simple content strategy that can turn a ho-hum resume into one that truly stands out and articulates your value
- How to construct a compelling 1-page executive bio
- Resume content you can use in your bio and resume content you shouldnt use
HERE'S MY QUESTION TO ALL THIS (SELF HELP TYPES OF SEMINARS/COACHES ETC.): While I do think that all of the information these "experts" provide is helpful, WHEN would anyone actually have the time to take a 90 MINUTE CLASS (even if it is on the phone) and then actually want to sit down and do all the work it takes to do the writing, branding and then the SELF PROMOTING. It all sounds fine and dandy in theory, but I bet you that most people will spend the $69 bucks for the 90 minue class/lesson and then simply PROCRASTINATE and not actually DO the work they need to do to get it all done. Writing about one's self is also a very cumbersome thing to do for MOST people (I know it is for me).
ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS: If you add up all the hours it can take to "package" and "brand" yourself and then all the hours you need to spend to go out and promote yourself, isn't it more cost effective to outsource it so it will get done and be mananged?
In this new world of online social networking and social media, people need to understand how to utilize this new type of PR tool kit and I would say 9 out of 10 Adults (mostly age 40 and up) - do not. Even if you can write a good bio and cover letter to go with a strong resume, HOW do you push that information out and do the promotion? You need a well managed plan with several channels of distribution and you need to "work it" every day ---when will YOU have time to do all of that?
