As a measure of quality, getting the interview is useful only if, well, you get the interview. But what if you don’t? What do you need to do differently?

All resumes I see, and from very talented, well-educated, experienced professionals are still entirely too task-based, and dry. This isn’t a question of format. They lack energy!

Ever pick up your own to read casually? Which pile would you put it in?

A resume acts as your ambassador to a future relationship with an employer. It gets between 2.5 and 30 seconds (if you’re lucky) of attention.

Questions to ask yourself about your resume:

• Are you excited about the person reflected on the page?
• How does it show who you want to be in your next position?
• Does it express your energy?

Answer “No” to any of the above? Then don’t expect an employer to perceive what you can’t.

Job seekers, I know you can do it yourself (I don’t advise it).  In fact, leave a comment and I’ll send you an effective resume template.

But why are you asking yourself to find even more time and enthusiasm to create a compelling resume? Isn’t the job search draining enough?

An energized resume can impress and boost your confidence.

There’s plenty of info on resume formats, “do’s and don’ts”. Frankly, if I see another Tweet linking to another post about chronological vs functional I’ll scream. If there’s no enthusiasm or creativity or specific words that clearly describe what you offer, then the format doesn’t matter. It will come off as bland or competent, but sterile.

And that’s not who you are.

Know that your resume is great if:

1. It reflects you. In the future. You look at your new resume and are excited about the person you see. You can’t help but say you love your resume.
2. You hand it to a recruiter, preferably one with an old copy of your resume, and hear, “Wow! I never knew you had this kind of experience, and I know exactly the position I want for you.”
3. An interviewer says, “I can see that you’ve only worked for companies with the best reputation. I’m flattered that we’re interviewing you.”

The last two are real-life experiences from my clients.

I started revising resumes because clients asked me to. I listen to them, and get a clear, specific picture of what they’ve done and want to do. I see the vision they have for themselves and their career. Then I put that on paper.

How does your resume reflect you?