Adding value to your resume

These days a resume is only one part of the equation of getting a job. A resume is basically a way of saying, "I did some work, and am interested in a job." But when it comes down to it, what is on your resume or is not on your resume does not matter nearly as much as your value, and whether or not the value you can add is consistent with the needs of the company. Ok, so the fact is the resume does not matter, but how do you make yourself better? How do you add value to yourself? In other words, look at your business and your life and determine where you can add value. If you want to add value to your resume, add value to yourself:

What are your weaknesses?- The first thing you have to do is look at yourself with a critical eye and determine how to turn your weaknesses into strengths. It is great that you are a team player, and can type fast, but do you know how to turn leads into customers? Do you know how to improve a product? Can you not only meet a deadline, but do so with quality products and materials? It is time to be honest with yourself and shore up the areas you are not so strong. This might mean taking an updated course, or finding a mentor, or investing in new equipment, or something else along those lines.

Congruent value- Next, ask yourself if the value you can add is going to be the value that the company needs. If your value is that you really know how to maximize social media marketing, but the company is looking for someone who can manage direct sales, your value is not congruent to their needs, and neither you nor the company will be happy, and it might be better to look for a more congruent fit. In other words, if a company is looking for someone to sell toilet paper, and you are a great team player, then good for you, but unless you can sell toilet paper, you are not who they are looking for. Add value to your resume by highlighting not just your skills, but the skills you have that fall into line with the needs of the company that is hiring. A degree in this or that is not going to mean anything to a company that needs someone that can do something else.

Keep your skills consistent with your business needs- In other words, make sure your resume never grows static. If you really want to be happy, and keep your employer happy, your value has to increase, and change as you work. When you started out in the company they may have wanted someone who could manage a certain task, but their needs may have changed, or your job description grown as time went by. Stay current and valuable, or prepare to be replaced, downsized, or outsourced.