Write That Resume!

5 Mental Hacks To Get You Motivated

A lot goes into crafting a killer resume; therefore, the process shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your resume needs to be well crafted, attention-grabbing, and an outstanding representation of you. Whether you hire someone to help or rely on technology to manufacture one (cringe), you’re ultimately responsible for crafting the best resume possible.

If the thought of writing a resume makes you shudder, try these five mental hacks.

Celebrate Your Wins. Don’t think of writing your resume as a necessary evil but rather a celebration of who you are and what you’ve achieved. Still, don’t go overboard. Design one with the essential qualifications and critical intel but with a hint of mystery. Intrigue the reader enough to want to hear more.

Call Your Coach. Talk to your career coach about your feelings in regard to your procrastination. What’s holding you back? Fear of failure? Fear of success? Then spend time exploring your motivation. The minute your fire’s ignited, open up your laptop and whip up a draft. Your coach can hold you accountable for getting your resume finished.

Conduct Informal Interviews. Networking lands you top-tier jobs, but if the idea of talking to strangers makes your gut clench, try a mental hack — become the interviewer. The opportunity to ask questions not only inspires resume writing but opens doors. Volunteer and ask lots of questions while you show off your skill set. Request a guest invitation at a professional association meeting and ask the folks you’re sitting with lots of questions. Conduct informational interviews and again, ask lots of questions. Finally, take online connections offline for coffee. Yes, ask lots of questions. By nature, we love to offer advice. Cash in on this. Learn what decision makers want in their candidates then weave the applicable qualities into your resume. Oh, yeah. Always ask for referrals.

Count On Criticism. Rejections and setbacks are part of the process. When you’re mentally prepared for them, you’re way ahead of the game. Use the feedback to make adjustments to your resume and your approach. What? No feedback? If all you get is the standard “Sorry, we’ve decided to choose another candidate,” then pick up the phone. Be the confident, unique, impressive, and eager-to-learn candidate who calls to inquire about what improvements you can make before you reapply.

Cut The Blame. Remember, your resume is only a document. It’s up to you to get it out there, connect with others, follow up on leads, and follow through on searches. No excuses. You’re responsible for ensuring your resume lands in the right hands and gets the attention that it deserves. So, get out from behind the computer (or off the couch) and get out there. Call on recruiters, friends, colleagues, and contacts, and look for opportunities to showcase your talent.

Whether you’re launching your professional journey, writing your next best-seller, or searching for an encore career, you need a resume. So, snap out of it and get writing!