In-Your-Face Resume

Jim sent me the following untraditional marketing piece he calls his "in-your-face" resume. Most notable is its lack of a job history. There are no dates or company names anywhere in the document! While I don't recommend this for most job seekers, I value Jim's creativity, and thought others might benefit from his out-of-the box thinking.

Here's Jim's resume, with the limited font and graphic effects offered on my blog:
________________________________________________________________

Jim Doe
Business development 2.0
His Street • His City, State zip • 123-555-1234• his email

MISSION 2009+

To help your company grow revenue and stay competitive in this economic downturn through my proven salesmanship skills and experience.

PERSONAL SELLING HIGHLIGHTS

20 years experience – documented top producer selling both tangible and intangible products.
• Fast learner, street smarts, ability to close, six-figure earner, top firms.

Consummate relationship builder and consultative sales professional.
• Decision makers buy from people they respect and who offer value, especially now.

Experienced road warrior covering multi-state geography.
• Proven ability to communicate using all media sources.

Comfortable selling and presenting to all levels of management.
• Respected by the boss and all those working for the boss.

MY SALES APPROACH

Resourceful, creative, idea driven.
• Customers and prospects actually look forward to working with me.

Provide solutions, work to be a partner as well as a customer relationship manager.
• Customers appreciate that I ask good questions, strive to understand their business and operate with empathy of current economic challenges. I under promise and over deliver.

Persistent, relentless, goal oriented, make things happen.
• Help customers get what they want. Do it sincerely. And we will get the results we want.
• No time for order takers in this economic environment.

EDUCATION & REFERENCES

BA Business – University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio
MBA Candidate – University of Phoenix

Upon request
• Detailed traditional/chronological job history
• Trade and personal references

________________________________________________________________

I asked Jim how this unconventional resume is working for him. Here's his response:

All firms that responded asked for my chronological resume or asked "what industry did you work in?" Three of them commented something to the effect that "you are obviously an experienced sales professional." That was, of course, my desired response because many firms want to get away cheap and hire someone who was selling retail or telemarketing. Nothing wrong with retail sales or telemarketing, it's just not the professional sales I do (I am not hourly or cheap). This format is a qualifier. So I look at these employer responses as positive reactions.

I use a cover email. In the subject line I write a quotation about adversity, such as, "smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." That seems to get them to open the email, read my quick note, and then open the attached resume.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Jim. We wish you speedy results with your job search!