PART TWO

John James Carty writes:

The résumé is no place for false modesty: let the record speak. For example, in cases such as the five gold medals mentioned in part 1, there is absolutely no place for phrases such as, ‘as luck would have it’ or ‘as it happened’ or ‘I was lucky enough to….’ This is false modesty, which is an ugly and unhelpful thing.

The sort of achievements that might appear in your record would realistically come about through talent, hard work, training and practice. It is extremely unlikely that they came about by luck.

‘But,’ you say, ‘I am a modest person. I am not boastful.’ OK, but one dictionary definition of ‘modest’ is ‘having a moderate estimate of one’s character or worth’. You are not required to give estimates in your résumé: let the record speak.

I believe there is some confusion here between ‘modesty’ – which has no place – and ‘weight’, which is crucial. In any event, if you are applying for the right job or position you have already decided that your ‘worth’ broadly matches what the post requires, so how can you have only a moderate estimate? More false modesty – or you know you are applying for the wrong position, which is just a foolish waste of time.

The fact remains that it is difficult for you to stand back and view your résumé with the cold eye of a stranger. Personally, I don’t think you can do that. And yet your honest résumé should present and disclose the life you have lived, supporting your opinion that you are right for the position as advertised.

In my opinion, if you write honestly and take out all false modesty, the one thing you need is something that you yourself can never supply: distance.

When we think of modesty and impartiality in this subject I think we are on the wrong path; I believe that what we are really concerned with is the weight to be given to the things that appear in the résumé.

I think we also worry about the relevance of each item. This is where I say you need distance, and the wisdom of Solomon will not give you that, because you cannot get away from yourself.

The answer is simple: do your résumé in a reasonable order and give it to a friend to read and give comments. Listen to your friend’s comments, discuss them, agree them (or some of them) and then write the résumé again.

I repeat – you must write it again. I would also like to repeat – listen to your friend.

If you have a good and sensible friend the result should be a balanced and persuasive picture. There are many professional agencies who can do this for you if you can afford it, and they will do it better because they are professionals. It could be one of the best investments you ever make.

QUESTIONS

1. Only one of the following statements is TRUE –

a) Sporting records are found in music stores.

b) Having some false modesty is a good thing.

c) Good luck is responsible for most successes in life.

d) Achievements are the result of talent and hard work.

2. How many trophies are referred to?

3. The article says confusion exists between ‘weight’ and what?

4. What is described as ‘a foolish waste of time’?

5. An adjective is used to describe a stranger’s eye – what is this adjective?

6. What does the article say you personally can’t provide?

7. Only one of the following is UNTRUE (false) –

a) We worry about relevance.

b) You can’t get away from yourself.

c) The author says the answer is simple.

d) The author says there is no answer.

8. According to the article, who write the best resumes?

ANSWERS

1. d)

2. five

3. modesty

4. applying for the wrong position

5. cold

6. distance

7. d)

8. Professional agencies

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PART TWO

John James Carty writes: