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Better English 45
Timely Communications Tips
April 20, 2010
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JOB HUNTING MEANS COMMUNICATING
-- KEEP IT SHORT
-- WHAT DID YOU ACHIEVE?
-- KEY WORDS

Unemployed? You could spend an average of 10 months looking for a job in this tough economy.That's a lot of communicating. Here are some tips on how and what to write.

Some communication dos and don'ts are relevant even if you aren't searching. You may be producing a memo, proposal, or a letter.

KEEP IT SHORT
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 Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis was a master at leaving gaps or spaces between notes, explaining, "Less is more."

Simplicity is a key element of communcating effectively. But when we prepare our resumes, we can become far too wordy--too often.

Nobody likes a long commencement speech, a long eulogy, a long memorandum, or a long resume.

According to top human resources executives, how long should the resume be?

One to four pages is the answer. Shorter is better for junior candidates. Longer is acceptable for senior execs.

I reviewed a resume recently from a friend who asked for help. It was eight pages. That same week, I also received a resume from an associate who has graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, is a partner in a top Manhattan law firm, is on the board of several publishing companies, and was a board member at Time Warner Communications. His resume is one page.

WHAT DID YOU ACHIEVE?
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 Too often we list positions and leave it at that. We managed this, directed that, and supervised them. But what did you achieve concretely? What were the measurable results?

Were you the number one burger flipper at McDonald's, or did you drop fewer than one percent burgers and receive no customer complaints in 12 months?

KEY WORDS
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 Internet marketers are crazy about key words. What terms we use to search for information helps them with product development.

Job-related key words are important for your resume also. You should spread them out a few times in your resume--and cover letter too.

Did you know that resume firms use scanning software to locate key words? This system helps to pinpoint good matches. They say.

A good place to find key words are in the job descriptions. Don't forget to look at the resumes of your competitors.

McGraw-Hill needs a senior editor in their school education group. Here are some key words for the responsibilities:

  • edit, proofread, and rewrite
  • work closely with design and production
  • develop explicit writer guidelines
  • check layouts
  • maintain editorial budgets

Here are some vague terms to avoid:

  • assisted, contributed, and supported
  • successfully
  • responsible for
Sincerely,
Barry Beckham


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