Resume Critique: Time Management

By WanTeng Wu
An effective resume critique session should result in a resume that clearly and concisely highlights the job-seeker's key skills and experience. A complete resume for a given job title should then be ready to customise to target a particular job posting. This requires the Job Developer (JD) to engage the job-seeker (the client) in the resume critique process in order to:

• understand the client's background and career goals,
• identify and address gaps in the resume, and
• highlight relevant skills and strengths.

While some clients need to be persuaded and probed with questions in order to elicit participation, a JD may occasionally find a client who is very eager to talk. This is fine if the talk is "on topic" and can be an indication of the JD's ability to build fast rapport with the client. The problem arises when the client happily goes on topics unrelated to the task on hand, while the time allocated for the session is limited. Instead of sitting in silent desperation while the minutes tick by, and not knowing how to interrupt the client for fear of being rude, the following are three techniques a JD can use to manage time during a resume critique session.
1. Manage Time with an Agenda
An agenda for the session should be placed on the desk between the client and the JD. As the JD introduces the purpose of the resume critique exercise, the topic for discussion is written clearly and boldly across the top of the paper: "RESUME CRITIQUE SESSION". The agenda for the discussion, along with the allocated time for each item, may also be written in advance, if writing in consultation with the client is expected to be difficult. For example, a 60-minute session may look like this:

• Item 1: Determine job title(s), in line with stated short-term career goal (10 mins)
• Item 2: Clarify experience and qualifications, and decide on type of resume to write (10 mins)
• Item 3: Write achievement statements (20 mins)
• Item 4: Select and write highlights or summary of skills (10 mins)
• Item 5: Finalising the format of the resume, including sections for Education (10 mins)

The JD should get agreement from the client by asking, "Do you agree this is what we should achieve today?" or "Do you think we can complete this agenda in (one hour)?" This outline of tasks can be referred to as frequently as needed during the session to indicate progress. It might help to have a clock on the wall or the desk to create awareness of time.
2. Drawing Attention by Using a Pencil
A piece of blank paper is useful to note items discussed, or the agenda above may include a check box that is marked as an item is completed. To bring attention back to the topic of discussion, hold the pencil pointing upwards at the client's eye-level - most people would momentarily pause when a pencil appears in front of their face. Quickly say, "Let's take a look at this item - we have another 5 minutes to have a go at it" or capture and repeat something that the client may have said that is even remotely relevant to the topic, and bring the pencil to point to the agenda item being discussed.
3. Comment and Ask a Question
Control of the discussion is important to keep the client participative and focused on the task. Whenever a client veers off topic, another way to encourage focus is to interrupt with a relevant comment to show interest and asking a question. For example, if the client was halfway through an anecdote about how he landed his first job (and likely to take another ten minutes to finish telling his tale), the JD might interrupt by saying,"You know, that's exactly what we want to do today - to write a resume that will get you an interview for a fantastic job." Follow up with a question to bring the client back on track. For example, "So can you be specific about your achievements in that last job?"
Finally, a word of caution - when interrupting a client, the JD needs to be aware of the client's reaction and make the interruption in a manner that conveys interest and eagerness to help, rather than showing impatience.
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