“The Real Secret to Finding a Job: Make Me Money or Save Me Money!”
by: Rick Gillis
ISBN: 142519138X
A friend put me in touch with Rick Gillis a few weeks ago and he sent me a copy of his book in electronic form (Thank You). The primary focus is Rick’s making the case for an updated resume format in light of contemporary, online job search tools.
Gillis outlines the concept of what he has trademarked, the ‘Pre-Resume.’ This is a one-page resume emphasizing minimal contact information, selected achievements, and only (if applicable) the most recent 20 years of work history.
The basis and justification for his Pre-Resume are laid out as he discusses online and resume filtering systems, the need for keywords, and chapter’s specific to the needs of IT professionals, entry-level, Professional Mom’s, and the like.
Laced throughout the book, Rick also emphasizes the document’s focus needs to be on what’s important to the reader it is being shared with. Remember, a resume is not about ‘you’. It is about how you. From the reader’s perspective, is is about how you can help, “make me money or save me money!”
The topics are sufficiently addressed so as to validate the concepts for the reader. The book may work best as an addendum for those who’ve already studied deeper books on the topic of long-form resume writing. If you are already reasonably well-studied in crafting a resume, you will be able to quickly review the book for salient points, and revise your own documents–for use online–appropriately.
I found sufficient merit in Rick’s suggestions that I’m making some changes and will be specifically testing the results.
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