Resumes & letters

(John) Can you comment on your approach to resumes and letters?

(Lydia) John, there are more than 35 million people out there... hoping that their resume will work!

And, considering that IBM alone receives 130,000 resumes a month, you can imagine how good your resume must be... just to survive the first cut. Most people no idea of how dramatically the employment markets have changed... and what works in today's job market. If they did, they would never be wasting months with the materials we see out there all the time.

(John) Just what is the difference between an average resume and a superior resume?

(Lydia) It's like a great commercial, compared to an average one. The average ones you tune out... the great ones you notice. It's that simple.

Employers and recruiters must be contacted with short but powerful resume presentations. Our studies have shown that people on the receiving end spend only about 20 seconds when they read a resume.

(John) Your philosophy is that most people should use three resumes. Why?

(Lydia) To get more interviews. Each resume has a different look and a different purpose. Just as one ad won't work for Lexus, Coca-Cola or anyone marketing a product. The same is true for people.

The first is what we call a universal resume and we use it for generating initial activity. For over the Internet, a shorter resume is needed... an electronic resume. Our third resume allows you to make contact quickly without the need for a cover letter. We call it a quick response resume.

We also can prepare either an "Interview Resume" or an "Executive Biography." These are "leave behind" documents for giving to an employer after your interview... when they want to know more details.

However, revealing them too early might get you eliminated... because of your previous industry, your age, etc. You only need one of these resumes, and the executive biography is strictly for executives seeking $150,000 and above.

(John) What specifically is an "Executive Biography" like?

(Lydia) Our bios are 3 to 5 pages, written in a third-person narrative style... and designed for an image of the highest distinction. Elite recruiters and senior executives react very favorably to them.

They're also essential if you want to explore senior jobs in the Fortune 1000 and mid-cap companies, or jobs with prestigious and highly visible organizations... like the White House... Donald Trump's organization... the U.N. ... film producers like George Lucas... Oprah's organization... the NFL and so on.

(John) I've heard that letters can be quite important. Why is this the case?

(Lydia) Actually John, they're very important. During a campaign, people will encounter about a dozen situations where a letter that is really compelling—can make an enormous difference.

A terrific letter also sends a message that you're not like everyone else. And, we've found that people read them and respond! So, we also write 12 powerful letters that cover all the standard situations that people might encounter in their search.