Resume Quiz

Examine your current resume critically (after all, that's what an employer or recruitment consultant will do). Or, ask someone whose opinion you value to examine it critically.

Then, put yourself in your readers' shoes and answer the " 20 Questions " below...honestly.

If you don't have a resume, consider these questions anyway and decide whether you would be better off getting help.
 

1.

Does it tell a compelling story clearly?

2.

Does it fully express your abilities and potential?

3.

Are your achievements expressed in terms of benefits and value ?

4.

Are your achievements clearly corroborated by evidence?

5.

Are your key strengths and abilities obvious?

6.

Does it encourage the reader to read all of it?

7.

Are your strengths linked to your achievements and accountabilities?

8.

Does it explain what you did beyond your job description?

9.

Is it well structured and organised according to the readers' needs?

10.

Is it visually appealing and distinctive?

11.

Is it interesting to read?

12.

Are you confident it will differentiate you from the competition?

13.

Is it getting you interviews for jobs you really want?

14.

Is it getting you interviews in organisations you really want to work?

15.

Do you have the time, patience and energy needed to improve it ?

16.

Do you know what employers or recruitment consultants really want?

17.

Are you sufficiently objective and detached to improve it?

18.

Do you have the specialised writing skills needed to improve it?

19.

If you did more work on it, could you improve it significantly?

20.

Are you an expert in writing resumes?

Give yourself 1 point for each time you answered YES and 0 each time you answered NO.

If you scored less than 15 points, you almost certainly need help.

A score of 15 means that you are likely to be in the top 25% of candidates. But remember, in many cases only the top 10% get interviews

 

Many people realise they need help after answering the "20 Questions".

They conclude that their resume falls a long way short against the test of the "20 Questions".

They understand that if they use their current resume they might be at a severe disadvantage in a competitive market and could miss out on attractive opportunities.

If you are not totally convinced that your current resume is the best it can be, would you risk sending it out, knowing that it could be so much more effective?