Resume for Leaders that Get Results

Resume for Leaders that Gets Results

Posted by Kenrick Chatman at 13th August, 2009

I have read and heard stories of several job seekers applying to hundreds or thousands of job postings with either no or minimal response. Early in my job search I applied blindly (which I do not recommend) to suitable positions where I met at least 50% of the requirements. I did not customize my resume (which I do not recommend as well) and out of the 20 positions I applied to; this resume generated 13 responses or a 65% response rate.

Play the audio version of this post. | Download this episode (right click and save)

In mid February I paid $300 to have my Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH) resume rewritten by an executive resume writing company called Resume for Leaders. My LHH resume was good but it was the same resume format used for all of LHH clients. Likewise, I had my LHH resume rewritten for two reasons:

I did not want the same resume format as everyone else
The resume did not generate a response for 5 positions I applied to

My Resume for Leaders resume was completed in two business days and I immediately reapplied to the 5 positions I applied to earlier. 3 of the 5 company representatives immediately contacted me.

As of today, I have applied to a total of 20 positions with 13 responses or a 65% response rate:

4/13 responses: the positions were removed
3/13 responses: I was not invited to interview
3/13 responses: I did not receive an offer
2/13 responses: I was instructed to stay in touch
1/13 responses: I am still waiting to hear back from the company

Click here to view this resume.

Nonetheless, if your response rate is low I encourage you to download a MS Word version of my resume, put in your information, and reapply to the positions where you did not get a response. Likewise, you will be able to measure the resume effectiveness. Results may vary.

To download the MS Word version of this resume:

Click on the “Wiki” link
Register and validate your account if you have not done so; make sure to check your spam filter for the validation email
Enter the Wiki and click on File Galleries in the lower left of your screen
Click on Resumes
Download the file called Kenrick_Chatman’s_Resume.doc

If you want to invest in the Resume for Leaders service, make sure your current resume is in great shape. Likewise, instead of paying $800+ you can instead pay the rewrite fee which will be substantially lower.

If you missed it, you should listen to “How to Effectively Use Job Boards.” You can listen to the archived version by clicking the player below. Steven Rothberg, the expert guest, answered these questions before the Q&A session:

1. Should I use job boards as part of my search?
2. Should I restrict my job search to only job boards?
3. How many job boards should I use?
4. Which job boards should I use?
5. How should I use my targeted job boards to land my dream job?

If you like this episode, I encourage you to visit www.blogtalkradio.com/thecareercatalyst. Next download the previous four episodes, mark this show as a favorite, subscribe to our upcoming shows, and become a regular listener.

Play Episode V: How to Effectively Use Job Boards. | Download this episode (right click and save)

Also tune in to Episode VI: “How to Develop Your Personal Brand” with expert guest Libby Gill, CEO at Libby Gill & Company and branding brain behind the launch of the Dr. Phil Show.

This will be a special edition 90 minute episode. During the first 60 minutes Libby will share tactics and tips you can use to differentiate yourself from your peers. For the last 30 minutes, this bestselling author will discuss her new book (which hit the shelves next month) You Unstuck; a book that can help you look past your fears and excuses as you strive for success. So if you are stuck in your career, job search, finances, health, and/or relationships, this is a show you do not want to miss. If you cannot participate live in next week’s special show, feel free to send your questions to kac@kenrickchatman.com by Tuesday.

Remember the wisdom of a crowd is richer than the wisdom of a few. So actively participate in the free online community at jobradiousa.com and encourage fellow job seekers to do the same.

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Kenrick Chatman

Patricia,

Just hang in as long as you can... All of us will eventually end our job search. Below is a story I received this past Tuesday from a local job search group:

“I had pretty much left the job market in search of an IT Project Mgr position and decided to pursue a teaching career. I was in the last week of alternate certification training and have passed the TX certification exam to teach middle school science. As you may have heard in the news, teacher hiring is also way down this year due to budget cuts. Out of 48 of us in middle school training, only 6 have positions as of Aug. 1st.

During training, I received a phone call out of the blue from an IT recruiter. She was searching for a candidate for an internal project for Citigroup that was not posted anywhere. The hiring manager had given her a very specific group of keywords. My posted resume' on careerbuilder matched perfectly on all the keywords in my career summary and work history. I interviewed by telephone two days later and I begin with Citigroup in Irving on Aug. 17th!

So, the bottom line - make sure you have the right keywords in your resume' in BOTH places; don't give up - someone may come looking for you; and keep on participating in networking, surrounding yourself with positive people, and keep the Faith!

Beth"

Patricia Gallagher

These are indeed challenging times and I believe, moreso for professionals at a particular stage of their career. I have a 33 year background in Canadian media (television and radio primarily) and have found it exceedingly difficult to cross industries. I have a large catalogue of transferable skills, but in these times, many companies are not willing to take the leap of faith they might have in a more fluid economy. I have received positive feedback from each and every interviewer (impressive skills, resume, background, blah, blah,blah), but have been unemployed for seven months. I am actively pursuing the plan of starting my own company. Perhaps all the signs have been there and I just needed to read them.
Good luck in your quest. Many talented people in the same boat from what I've been reading.

Kenrick Chatman

Well Cathy,

It's probably due to our Lee Hecht Harrison resumes looking the same as other resumes. I have also faced both the salary and experience issues.

Likewise, I have decided to work hard to create my own dream job with my targeted employers... which is currently tough since companies are reluctant to hire...Eventually my hard work will pay off.

Cathy

I found your comments regarding LHH enlightening as that is who I have been with for 8 months now. I have applied to numerous jobs without receiving any responses. I have been told by several others in professional positions that I have an impressive resume. So, I keep asking myself, what is the problem? Why can't I get an interview? The one interview I had I was willing to take a 40% cut in salary for and they ended up promoting from within. I believe the salary issue scared them off! How in the world do you penetrate this crazy situation? I have never had a problem landing the first job I interviewed for until now!

Kenrick Chatman

8/20 or 40% resulted in interviews if you count a phone screen as a telephone interview... 4 positions were eventually removed due to the economy not improving, 3 I did not receive an offer, and 1 I am still waiting to hear back from the company...

Viv

I noticed that none of the responses were for INTERVIEWS, which is the whole point of the resume...

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