Put your best foot forward to win the job!

Famous last words – “they said I’ll get an interview.”

The way people look at job search often amazes me.

The Internal Candidate

Let’s look at high-level opportunities for management and upper management. A recent client was targeting an executive role. As an internal candidate, she is essentially working in the position in an interim capacity already. She should be a shoe-in, right?

Nevertheless, she chose me to write her resume and cover letter to help her define her value and position herself in the best possible light. Armed with multiple letters of recommendation, management and other employees told her to apply for the position. Her contributions to the organization are many and she has been a very positive game changer for the bottom-line and revenue growth.

This client, the insider, has been a willing and creative participant in my questions using the Challenge, Action, Result process. We sifted through the value she brought to the organization and unearthed multiple gems. My collaborative and interactive resume writing process helped her discover many things she had forgotten. She can directly respond to the job description with a Yes, I did that! and point out exactly how she achieved the organization’s goals. She demonstrated commitment not only in her present position but in the past as she has clear examples of the value she brought to each position with the two organizations she served in the past 20+ years.

The External Candidate

At the same time, a potential client called who was applying for an executive-level position with the same organization. He is mostly likely also very qualified. Insiders told him that he should apply and he would get an interview. His initial resume writing appointment was scheduled but then he canceled because he decided to take his chances on the people who said he would “get an interview.” Perhaps he has the skills and the time to search through his history to select the most value-driven and accomplishment-rich points and transform them into the resume that will not only get him the interview but get him the job.

Is your Inside Track enough to win the job?

My current client knew even with her “inside track” she needed expert help to make sure that she was prepared, not only to win an interview, but to win the position against competition she will face from top applicants throughout the nation.

Asked why my internal candidate client chose me to write her resume, she said (and gave me permission to quote her), “without your help, it would be like bringing a knife to a gun fight!” She doesn’t want to be out-gunned!

My clients often target internal positions, sometimes while serving as the “Interim Top Manager or Interim Vice President” but like my current client, they want to be ready with the best possible career marketing strategy and resume to not only win the interview – my clients want to win the job! Put your best foot forward!

To get your job search launched with an outstanding resume, simply click here!

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3 Comments

  1. Ed Han on November 2, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Julie, you make an excellent point about when to seek professional advice. The first client you mention is probably the last one most people would expect to call you.



    • Julie Walraven on November 2, 2010 at 1:37 pm

      Exactly, she looks like a shoe-in… 🙂 but she is smart enough to know that she is better to be prepared in case she isn’t.



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Julie Walraven, Design Resumes

Julie Walraven

Professional Resume Writer

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You may be halfway across the country or the world. When you work with me, we share coffee, laughs, and concerns. This turns the scary job search into creative, consultative writing and learning sessions.