Page 104 - Marky Stein - Get a Great Job When You Don't Have a Job-McGraw-Hill (2009)
P. 104

Fearless Résumés


                  Poor-quality products
                  Returns
                  Excessive maintenance
                  Tardiness
                  Sick days
                  Lawsuits
                  Disorganization
                  Unacceptable health and safety practices
                  (Usually) paying overtime
                  Unattractive or dirty workplace
                  Malfunction of equipment


            Creating some Q statements right now will propel your résumé
            into the highest ranking and imbue your interview with the
            sound of earned success. Remember, you do not have to know
            exact numbers, percentages, or lengths of time.

                • Sometimes it’s just too hard to recall an exact number,
                  so the best thing to do is to estimate your measurements
                  and quanities to the best of your ability.


            If you happen to have forgotten the exact details of some of your
            numbers—say that you indicated on your résumé that you
            earned $152,000 in sales, but the fact was that you really earned
            $149,934—no one, unless you’re applying at an accounting firm,
            will call you a liar.
                Most of us, of course, don’t want to misrepresent ourselves;
            in fact, most of my clients actually underestimate their numbers on
            their résumés.
                Please don’t underestimate yourself. You must find a bal-
            ance that’s fair and honest. Few people can recall amounts to
            the point of perfection. When you are quantifying your accom-
            plishments, just do your best to state your best guess, within
            reason, as to what you did or what results you achieved. One
            test for this is to ask, “Would I feel comfortable saying this fig-
            ure out loud?” If you would, and you spare yourself the harsh




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