Whether I’m writing a resume or an executive bio, one thing is clear: Everyone has a story to tell.
The funny thing is that they don’t always realize it.
I recently completed three projects for two different clients that involved writing short bios (50 to 150 words each) of highly successful individuals. While one client asks writers to send each executive a brief set of questions to answer by email, the other asks us to do short phone interviews with the individuals on our lists. What always astounds me is how many of these people are surprised to be included in what amounts to a “best of” list.
The phone calls are always fun, especially when it dawns on subjects how their past experiences—their unique stories—led them to pursue careers they love.
Like the woman who, as a teenager, saw a documentary that spurred her to get involved with humanitarian causes and eventually work for humanitarian organizations before joining a company that makes and markets documentary films about humanitarian issues.
Or the man who had a former employer tell him he was too nice to succeed in business, but decided to ignore that person’s advice. He now ingrains in his employees the importance of putting others first and respecting colleagues, clients, and contacts even when a deal doesn’t go through.
Sometimes people allow their own insecurities to shape their stories.
I’ll never forget one resume client. She was an incredibly successful C-suite executive who had helped invent and patent a product that revolutionized her industry. She had more than enough accomplishments to fill a three-page resume. When I sent in the first draft of her new resume, she insisted I include a retail sales job she’d held in high school.
For whatever reason, she couldn’t see that her post-collegiate work history was more than impressive enough to wow any potential employer. Including that retail job would only have left hiring managers wondering why she felt compelled to include something so insignificant. I’m sure she had her reasons, but she eventually relented when I reminded her we were writing her resume, not a more comprehensive curriculum vitae.
We each have a story to tell, but sometimes it takes someone with a fresh perspective to help you tell it. Let me help you tell yours.
So true, and sometimes more than one.
For those of use who were brought up being taught it’s not polite to brag, it’s always harder to write your own bio or resume than to have someone else do it. A few weeks ago I helped my sister do her resume, and had to remind her of a few of her accomplishments.