Is Your Resume Missing This Critical Element? Find Out So You Can Stand Out In Job Search 2.0.

Recently, I was a featured expert for an article about job search 2.0. I was asked: “What one thing do you want job seekers to know about Job Search 2.0 to help boost their competitive edge in this tough job market?” Various experts offered their advice, and I highly recommend you read it if you’re an active job seeker.
For my part of the article I shared the importance of personal branding in your job search, and I want to elaborate a little more on that aspect today and how it relates to your resume.

As a former HR manager who has reviewed thousands of resumes, when I look at a potential candidate I’m doing two things: First, I’m asking myself if this person has the minimal requirements for the position (i.e., do they meet the job description?), and second, how does this person stand apart from all the other applicants? If you can catch the employer’s attention in the first one-third of the resume by providing this information you will give yourself a competitive edge.
A personal branding statement is the perfect way to immediately command the hiring manager’s attention. Their eyes are drawn to the stand alone sentence–and they’ll read it. It’s like an advertising spot worth one million dollars. You have their attention. Now turn that attention into a call back by telling them in one swift sentence why you are the absolute perfect fit for the position–how you plan to fill their need!
If you are using an objective–or a blanket, generic, or vague career summary–you are placing a great big stumbling block in the way of you and your job search. Ditch the roadblocks and power on through by using a personal branding statement on your resume.
Jessica Holbrook is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, and presenter.
Courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates seeking entry-level jobs and other career opportunities, and posted on JobsinStockholm.