What is the takeaway?

In History class, I often ask my students what their takeaway is from the material we are covering.  This question helps me determine how well students are able to draw conclusions and analyze course content.  Likewise, it is also helpful to know why something matters.  If the takeaway is not clear, then the learning experience is probably not terribly meaningful.

A clear takeaway is equally essential in a job search.  Consider these questions:

• When reading your résumé, what do you want a potential employer’s takeaway to be? 

• What are your most important selling points for a particular job opening?  

• Which of your skills and experiences most meaningfully showcase your qualifications?  

Keeping in mind that hiring managers often spend less than a minute reading a résumé, your chances of being noticed increase greatly when the takeaway is really clear.  And, since we are often too close to our own experiences to be able to see the forest for the trees, a professional résumé writer can step in and help you navigate a clear path.  It is truly a worthwhile investment that will help you land more interviews, gain confidence in yourself, and ultimately set yourself apart from the competition.