Leveraging your Resume Toolkit to Create Credibility

By Lynda Reeves, BA, ACS, MCRS
Senior Consultant and Strategist, Graham Management Group

Credibility

\kre-də-bi-lə-tē\
- reliability of testimony based on competence and supported by other substantiating evidence

You are a six-figure professional and you believe that your resume describes the things you have been accountable for in your career. However, it is not getting you the interviews and responses you are seeking. It is possible that you are undermining your credibility with a document that does not reflect you as well as it should.

Since there are many competitors for each $100K+ role, to stand apart, you need much more than a resume saying, “could you please hire me?” Rather than presenting yourself as a typical job seeker, consider creating a comprehensive toolkit of documents, presentations, and strategies that enhance your credibility.

The content of the tools in your kit is vital. In every case, you should offer potential recruiters and employers compelling facts that build your value relative to your unknown competition. The more diverse your toolkit is, the greater your chances of success. When you have a wide repertoire of well-designed material at the ready, you can mix and match pieces to create custom portfolios for those high-level roles you are targeting.

You can build credibility by utilizing a combination of interesting tools. The descriptions below provide ideas on how diverse your toolkit can be and ways to use the documents that may surprise you:

• Resume: A powerful strategic resume has a distinctive look and feel, a captivating opening, and examples of key achievements so that people really understand what you have to offer. Always use it with a cover letter when applying to postings or responding to specific requests. Taking this to the next level, for a more polished look, you can create a consistent brand identity and include your resume with other branded documents in a hardcopy portfolio package.
• Cover Letter: This letter is much more than an introduction. It must include elements that define your credibility and entice the reader to review your resume. Don’t make the mistake of omitting a cover letter. Whether applying to postings, used in your portfolio, or when requested by a contact, it is key to presenting yourself professionally and winning that all-important interview.
• Bio (Narrative Profile): Your one-page bio is one of the most flexible items in your toolkit. It describes your value and career highlights in a narrative format. This easy-to-read style is highly useful when networking in person, via e-mail, on your personal website, and in your portfolio package. Your bio can be used as a handout when you are asked to present yourself in a panel interview, and ultimately, when you are introduced as a subject matter expert.
• LinkedIn Profile: Another narrative profile, this is featured in your online LinkedIn account as a summary. A LinkedIn presence enhances your credibility by demonstrating your expertise. It is a venue for you to make yourself known to your peers, recruiters, and other leaders. Since the profile is one of the first items your e-contacts see, it must grab attention while reinforcing – in less than 2000 characters – what makes you special relative to others in the same category.
• Key Initiatives: This is a listing of bite-sized case studies – an expansion of your most impressive accomplishments –  and includes detailed information about the challenges you have encountered in your career, your leadership actions, and the positive result that you produced for the organization. In addition to being a good piece to include in your portfolio package, your key initiatives are excellent to offer following – or during – an interview or as an attachment in an e-mail after a second meeting
• Recruiter Letter: There is a definite tone variation for your recruiter letter. Take the time to research and properly address each recruiter whether it is in response to a posting, a first contact, or on request. An effective recruiter letter reflects your knowledge of the firm and provides information that recruiters require in order to present your value to their top clients.
• Networking Letter: When you first begin serious networking, a well-worded letter can be a wonderful alternative to cold calling. Whether used in emails or dropped off at an important contact’s place of business, it may be the icebreaker that makes the difference for you. Another advantage to this letter is that you can customize it and use it as a second cover letter if an additional follow-up is required
• Networking Presentation: A brief PowerPoint presentation is a must if you want to showcase your credibility in under ten minutes. Recipients at the uppermost echelons like to receive these visuals because it takes little time to learn about you and what you have to offer to them. Accompany your networking letter – or send a follow-up – with your PowerPoint presentation as a quick way to reveal your added value. You can also send it by email or make a mini-CD for your portfolio
• Confirmation Letter: Similar to the thank-you letter, this letter is a follow-up strategy that works in a variety of situations. It should also contain nuggets that underscore your credibility and reinforce what a good fit you are for the position. You can use it in email or hardcopy format to confirm if your resume was received or to reconnect about a particularly appealing posting or opportunity.
• Follow-Up Letter: While the name speaks for itself, this letter is another technique for improving the way people perceive you. By ensuring that you have a letter that speaks to the accomplishments best fitting your target, you will have another document to employ after a second interview or meeting. It is also useful for opening a previously closed opportunity.
  
  

Develop a distinctive design element and echo it throughout your portfolio to give it a cohesive look. With each piece, provide information that allows others to make the best possible decision (i.e. to select YOU). Employ items in your portfolio package in various ways. Select the combination of tools that are best suited for each scenario you encounter. By understanding and utilizing the various documents effectively, you will keep your name at the forefront while continuing to build both your network and your credibility.

Lynda Reeves, is an award-winning, master certified resume strategist and career consultant. As senior consultant for Graham Management Group, Lynda assists executives, managers, and six-figure professionals, leveraging extensive experience spanning resume writing, human resource consulting, coaching, and training. You can contact Lynda and find further information and articles directly at www.GrahamManagement.com.

Copyright ©  S Graham Management Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. You may reprint this article with permission only if you provide full credit to the author  and company by including the paragraph above

Our service is confidential and by appointment or arrangement only. To obtain further information or to schedule an appointment contact Graham Management Group.