Myth Dispelled: Entrepreneurs DO Need a Resume!
It’s funny. Many entrepreneurs and small business owners come to A Career Choice for coaching and motivation but one piece of coaching that always seems to make frowns appear is when we tell them to create a resume. “What? But, I am a business owner. Who do I need to show my resume to anyway?” The answer is simple: Everyone and anyone that you want to purchase your product or service.
I know I know. This is counter intuitive and while you are reading this blog you are probably thinking that we at A Career Choice are crazy. But please, give yourself 5 minutes and continue reading. You owe 5 minutes to yourself don’t you? So, what is a resume?
A resume is usually described as a vehicle for strategically presenting yourself as a job seeker. However, at A Career Choice we believe that a resume is a tool that helps presents your story in a compelling manner. It communicates your success story. If done correctly, it is accomplished-focus and attention grabbing. It helps you stand out from the pack.
Well, aren’t business owners always searching for a way to highlight their business? Aren’t entrepreneurs trying to communicate past and current successes to obtain new clients and retain as many current clients as possible? Of course! Don’t think of a resume as a piece of paper you submit to an HR professional. Think of it as a document that you want everyone to see and be inspired to want to speak with you.
Entrepreneurs and business owners should
create a traditional resume as a starting point
carefully audit the document to make sure that only accomplishments are listed
use numbers – what percentage of your clients benefited from your service? how much money did you save your clients?
use testimonials (a.k.a. references)
be sure it is interesting. consider adding a story that is so compelling that it creates a memory hook for your business
post it to your website or add it to your brochure. the format does not need to be in the traditional resume style, although that may work for some professions. be creative. perhaps your “resume” will appear as bullet points in the “about us” page.
Regardless of what you call it, it is a resume. Want to learn more about how to improve your business in any economy? Need inspiration to get through slower times? Need help with business matchmaking? Then, join our online community at http://acareerchoice.com/member-online.html
Until next time, we wish you peace of mind and much success.
A Career Choice
