Your Resume Should Say, "Read Me, Read Me!" - Does It?

Imagine walking into a huge bookstore to browse. You're in the mood for something new to read, but don't have a single title in mind. Even after narrowing your quest to a specific category, there are still scores of books to select from.

Which is more likely to catch your eye?

Bookstore

The Blue History Book or The secret Plot to Overthrow Joe Schmoe?

(So there's no predominant historical figure named Joe Schmoe. And maybe you detest history books. Work with me here.)

The Blue History Book may be a great read, but you'll probably pay tiny attention to it, because the title is about as bland as they come. Nothing but a label. It's blue, alright...and it's in the history section...talk about stating the obvious. Worse, this title doesn't do anyone to entice you to pull the book off the shelf and read the jacket - to have a closer look.

There are maybe 100 other books for you to select from. You're probably not going to stand there all afternoon and slide every single one of them out for closer inspection. You'll most likely immediately narrow your quest to titles that grab your attention. The ones that sound interesting. The ones that say, "Read me - find out more!"

So it goes with your resume.

What do you lead with?

Are the first few lines bland and boring...or do they grab the reader and drive him to want to find out more about you?

Do you open with a label (i.e. Plastics commerce supply Chain Executive)...or does the phrase you use to recapitulate yourself give the reader a clue about what makes you unique?

Yours could be one of hundreds of resumes - representing hundreds of candidates competitive for a single job. What are you doing to make sure it gets read?

Your Resume Should Say, "Read Me, Read Me!" - Does It?