#resumetips By Julie O'Malley, CPRW, Pongo Resume

I've been writing professionally for eons, but to this day I keep a little cheat sheet on my wall, titled "Three Things a Copywriter Must Know Before Writing." Even though I know those three things by heart (and I'll share them with you soon), I still like to look at that piece of paper every day to keep the basics front and center. I mention this because resume writing is copywriting (otherwise you're doin' it wrong).

First, let me backtrack and define "copywriting," just in case you're not sure. Copywriting is writing that is intended to advertise or publicize a product or service. Some forms of writing are meant to inform, warn, or entertain. They may influence their readers' behaviors, but they aren't trying to sell anything directly. (They don't have to convince anyone to part with money.) Your resume, on the other hand, does. It has to sell you to employers, and convince them you're worth interviewing. To craft a winning resume, you can't just write, you have to copywrite.

The 3 Rules of Copywriting

As promised, here are the three things a copywriter must know before writing:

1. OBJECTIVE -- What is the goal of the copy?
2. AUDIENCE -- Who is the prospective buyer; what are their needs and pain points?
3. PRODUCT -- What are the special features and benefits to the buyer?

In the case of your resume, here's how you would answer these three questions:

1. OBJECTIVE -- To earn an interview by communicating that you have the right skills, experience, education, and qualities to do this specific job well and to fit in with the team.
2. AUDIENCE -- A manager who has a problem (i.e., an open position) that needs to be solved because it’s hurting the business's productivity, profitability, efficiency, and/or responsiveness.
3. PRODUCT -- You, packaged and presented in a way that meets the Objective (#1) and persuades the Audience (#2) that you could be the solution to their problem.

If you're not sure whether to include something in your resume, measure it against Questions 1, 2, and 3. Will it help get you an interview? Is it relevant to the hiring manager's needs? Does it further the impression that hiring you could be the solution their problem?

If not, leave it out. You can tell them more at the interview!

Pongo Resume Blog Link: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogs/1/pongo.cfm