INVISIBLE RESUME

When we last talked about using the Invisible Resume I never felt that there was a good understanding how this tool can be used. While I described the concept and gave examples that you could use, I have had phone conversations with some of you asking again JUST HOW DO I USE THIS?

At some point during the job interview, probably near the end, you will most likely be asked if there is anything else they should know about you? This is the point at which the Invisible Resume comes into play. Following are areas that you might bring up or even expand on if touched on during the interview.

(*If they do not ask you if there is other information they should know about you -BRING IT UP . Indicate that there are a few other things that you would like them to know about you)

*TALK ABOUT ANY SKILLS YOU HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, POSITIVE

PERFORMANCES, UNIQUE SITUATIONS HANDLED, SPECIAL AWARDS RECEIVED -- WHAT YOU REALLY ARE BRINGING TO THE COMPANY.

*SOFT SKILLS -these are special skills you have that would not appear on your resume but that are strengths you bring to the table such as: leadership roles you have taken on; that you are a team player; roles in which you may have served in the community for the good of the company; the fact that you meet deadlines; mediation skills that you have used to end disputes; ABILITY TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE; perhaps you have been able to bridge the gap between people internally or between customers and the company; the ability to work with different leadership styles.

SOFT SKILLS ARE NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE AND USUALLY NOT LISTED ON A RESUME. There are others you can list if you just sit back and think about it.

I HAVE SUGGESTED ON THE NEXT PAGE THAT YOU LIST 6 OR 7 SKILLS THAT YOU CAN HAVE READY AND IN WRITTEN FORM THAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU AND HAVE ON YOUR LAP.

ANOTHER USE of this tool is: Once you have identified these skills -look to work them into the

interview as you go along -- especially if you think they are important and another thing you bring to the table. YOU ARE LOOKING TO SET YOURSELF APART FROM OTHERS AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

I HAVE HAD GREAT FEEDBACK FROM OUR GROUP THAT THIS TOOL HAS BEEN HELPFUL WHEN USED. WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY?

Bob Raikes, NCCC

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DEVELOPING AN INVISIBLE RESUME

The term Invisible Resume was developed by Trevor Gandy, vice president of human resources at Chubb Group of Insurance Cos., based in Warren, NJ. I am impressed with the concept and would like to share some of his thoughts as well as mine.

WHAT IS AN INVISffiLE RESUME? It is a record of "all those things that are not on the job posting, such as how you communicate, collaborate with others, meet deadlines and work with various levels ofmanagement." It also includes many of the intangibles that you will be bringing to the firm.

The resume you present probably does not include many skills (I often call them soft skills) that you will be using. How do you go about developing an Invisible Resume? Try listing them below for a start.

STRENGTHS THAT GO BEYOND THE BASIC SKILLS YOU HAVE ACCUMULATED. Include: your level of performance, ways in which you manage or have managed others, handle problems (includes examples of difficult situations you have handled and the techniques you used), a list of your accomplishments -- and proven results, promotions you have received because of your performance, deadlines you meet or have met, honors received, volunteer positions you have accepted for the good of the firm, evidence that you know how to navigate through an organization, mistakes that you have made and how you overcame them, your ability to see the big picture(what evidences of this can you show?), leadership roles that you have taken on, examples of mediation you have been involved in, how you can relate and work under/with different styles of leadership, how you have and are a team player, experience in the field.

THESE ARE THE TIflNGS THAT GO ON AN INVISIBLE RESUME -and they should be written down and taken to an interview with you. Look for opportunities to work them into the interview so that you can gain an edge -- separate yourself from the other candidates. LIST BELOW WHAT SHOULD GO ON YOUR INVISIBLE RESUME.

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