Verbal Resume
An important partner to your written resume is the Verbal Resume, or what I call a 90- Second Capsule. This tool is invaluable in presenting a memorable tightly focused description of your written resume which the hiring manager requires when making a final decision.
Here’s a summary of skills you will develop in preparing a Verbal Resume:
- Making a strong first impression with the hiring manager
- Creating a focused and upbeat introduction to kick off a networking meeting
- Leading with your career accomplishments rather than with a chronology of job titles and responsibilities
- Summarizing your career experience, progression, and qualifications in 90 seconds
- Incorporating your three key strengths into your verbal resume
Your verbal resume differs significantly from your written resume, because it is often the first item addressed during a job interview when the hiring manager says: “Tell me about yourself.” A seemingly casual ice breaker, it becomes a significant opportunity for you to distinguish yourself from the other job candidates.
Because it presents an important moment in the eyes of the hiring manager or recruiter, your response provides a valuable opportunity to make an impactful first impression.
Your verbal resume should not be spontaneous or left to chance.
I refer to the Verbal Resume as a 90-Second Capsule, because it is the perfect description of the appropriate length I recommend. I also compare your capsule with a movie trailer, which highlights important achievements and accomplishments in your work experience and adds a few teasers or hooks for follow up conversations.
The content and strategy used in preparing your Verbal Resume are important in making a connection between job requirements and your qualifications. The main intent remains to deliver what matters – describing your achievements in ways which impress and stick with the hiring manager. Your verbal resume is much more than an icebreaker. It is your sales pitch and must resonate with your three key strengths.
See updates and further details in my Source Blog segment and in my upcoming book, Job Hunting – Launching to Landing.