For some inexplicable reason, I seem to be thinking of a lot of food analogies when I’m coaching clients. I’m blaming this on reading too many peoples’ lunch and dinner menus on Twitter, but the analogies really do make a lot of sense when thinking about the job hunt.

For example, I was explaining to a prospective client how important it is to identify and target job and career goals in order to write a resume that will appeal to employers. She was having trouble deciding where to focus her search, and rather than choose some specific areas to address that would appeal to hiring managers, she combined everything in one resume – kind of a “jack of many trades” document, in an effort to demonstrate all of the various “things” that she could do.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 100 times – the resume must speak in the language that an employer will understand. If that job requires someone who knows how to “develop proposals and presentations detailing new implementation process plans implemented by top management,” saying that you have done that is terrific! If the job has nothing to do with developing proposals and presentations, that language might as well be Greek to the hiring manager simply stating your ability to do that task is not likely going to help your cause.

Food analogy #1 – Would you go to the Chinese food restaurant and place your order in French?
Not if you want to get your order right, you wouldn’t! Similarly, you need to speak the language that your target audience will understand.

To do this successfully, you need to:

1. Know Your Skills
Assess your skills and accomplishments. How? Talk to your friends and co-workers. Review written evaluations of your work. Think about the skills you use/d in your positions. Study a skills and accomplishments list.

What aspects of your job do you enjoy? What type of work do you hope to do in the future? What skills do you have that will be the stepping stones to getting to the next rung of your career ladder? Once you identify what you have to offer, it will be easier to connect the dots between the employer and you.

2. Know the Employer
What does the organization value? Use the job description as a guide and research the company using the internet and any available published material. For example, if the organization uses the words “team player” four times on their company home page, you will want to emphasize your ability to work well in teams. If possible, conduct informational meetings with people in the organization or those who know about it.

Parse their information down and pull out the language that resonates with your audience. Identify exactly what they want and demonstrate how and why you fit the bill.

For more information and some examples FOLLOW THIS LINK! Stay tuned for more food analogies…I need to get something to eat!

If you are ready for a change and could use some help with your search, follow THIS LINK to learn more about me and how we can work together!

photo by voteprime