How to create a positive, constructive discussion about your career 

Ever wonder how to have a serious discussion about your career, either with a boss, a mentor, or a potential new boss?The traditional resume isn't the answer anymore.  

Over the last 10 years I've developed a simple, straightforward way to cut through the noise and anxiety to create positive, constructive conversations. It has 5 easy steps:

1. Education
2. Work history
3. Value Proposition
4. Professional Interests
5. Personal Interests

#1 and #2 are fairly straightforward - and can be interchanged to your personal liking. Just be brief and succinct.

#3 - The Value Proposition - is the core of the document and what differentiates it most from a resume. A resume lists everything you did hoping that someone can interpret it to a future value proposition. This section is where you directly answer the question : "Why would someone hire you". This is not a sales job - be real, and list out your skills, core competencies, and what value you truly deliver. A resume hopes someone interprets this from past work history - this document actually skips the translation and simply lists what you offer someone in the future.

#4 is where you list what types of experiences you want to get involved in or potentially have jobs in. Don't list exact jobs because in our modern world a lot of jobs will be molded out of what the needs of the enterprise are, and these are often emerging. So stick to experiences, and what your passions and interests are.

#5 is simply what you want to share from a personal nature. This is often totally absent from a traditional resume. Be upfront - can you move? Do you want to travel the world? Do you wish to live in the current location forever? My experience is it's best to share more openly and build some trust with this section, versus holding back and hoping someone figures it out later.

There is a last section - a "bottom line", but it's optional. If you have anything else to say that is not contained in the above, say it here.

Thank you for reading The River, and if you have enjoyed it please subscribe to receive future articles.

To subscribe: https://tony-thelen.mykajabi.com/the-river