Resumes vs. job descriptions

Occasionally I hear from people who say something like this:

"I've attached my resume. It's missing my last two jobs, but here are my job descriptions so you can add them."

And I respond with something like:

"Thanks, but your job description doesn't help me. That's not the type of information recruiters are looking for."

A resume and a job description are completely different things, so if you're using your job description as the basis for your resume, I'd strongly suggest revising your strategy.


Job Descriptions

A job description is usually written by HR and it outlines what someone in your position is supposed to do in their position. It's an idealistic document that looks forward with intent. Resumes that use job descriptions as their foundation usually contain statements like:

• Completed assignments, adhered to corporate policies, and recommended ways to improve operations.
• Supervised associates by assigning duties, communicating goals and objectives, and tracking results.
• Prepared and delivered regular performance evaluations and developed actions plans for improvement.

As you can imagine, recruiters can spot "job description language" from a mile away.


Resumes

A resume, on the other hand, showcases what you were accountable for and what you accomplished for past employers. It looks back. Instead of focusing on what someone in your position is supposed to do, it shows what you've actually done - and not in terms of tasks, but achievements. A resume should include statements like these:

• Drove the store from 8th to 2nd in the district for sales performance vs. budget in less than 1 year.
• Increased customer satisfaction scores by 12 percentage points - improved from 68% to 80%.
• Reduced inventory shrink from 3.7% to just 1.6% - lowest in the district and the entire region.

It's not a bad idea to review your job description to help remember things you may have forgotten, but it shouldn't be used as the basis for your resume. Focus on what you achieved. (And please don't write your resume in the same business-speak corporate tone that's used for most job descriptions. I'm sure recruiters will appreciate it!)

​All the best!