By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3146 Most resumes are ignored because they read like boring job descriptions rather than high-impact marketing documents. Learn the “so what” test, cut out the fluff, prove your value with tangible data, and finally get the interview call.
Well, today we’re going to talk about a super simple yet powerful test that will take your resume out of the pile of, wow, we need to call this person now. So let me ask you something. Does this sound familiar? You’ve sent out about a hundred resumes and you’ve received absolutely no response.
This is so frustrating, isn’t it? You know you have the skills, you know you can do the job, but for some reason you don’t seem to get noticed. So what’s going on? Well, usually, that’s the culprit. Your resume reads less like a highlight reel and more like a boring job description.
It’s just a long list of all the things you do. But here’s the thing. The company doesn’t really hire you for the tasks you complete.
They hire you because you deliver results for them. To get us thinking about it in the right way, we’re going to borrow some great ideas from job search coach Jeff Allen, who you probably know as a big game hunter. He came up with this wonderful little quality control test.
You can apply for every line on your resume. He calls it the “so what” test, and it’s really that simple. This is just a small question designed to cut through all the bullshit and get to the heart of what really matters, which is the value you bring to your employer.
Building your own brand is both important and easy
Using it couldn’t be easier. You just take out your resume, go through it one point at a time, read this sentence, and then ask yourself out loud, so what? If you stumble a bit or don’t have a really solid answer, that’s a huge red flag. This means that line needs to be rewritten.
See, this whole test is really designed to force you to change your perspective. So what’s a more direct way to ask the only question the hiring manager is thinking, which is, why should I care about this? If the bullet points on your resume don’t answer the question, honestly, it’s just a waste of space. Well, theory is great, but let’s see how it works in the real world.
We’re going to take a super common resume line and see what happens when we pass the “so what” test. Okay, look at this. As mentioned before, manage your company’s social media accounts.
You’ll ask after reading this, so what? Well, I guess you posted something. It’s weak, right? Now look at the after. Social media engagement increased 35% in the first quarter.
Now that answers the so what question, doesn’t it? So what are the numbers, a truly impressive practical result. That’s the whole game. The later version passes the test with flying colors because it shows your impact.
This proves that you didn’t just show up and get the job done. You actually make a positive difference. You get results.
That’s why recruiters pick up the phone. It all goes back to Jeff Allen’s core philosophy. You have to remember that companies hire people to solve their problems.
Therefore, your resume needs to position you as a problem solver, not a task performer. It’s all about the solutions you’ve provided in the past. Now, why is this small shift so important? Well, there are three big reasons.
First, it immediately highlights your actual value. Secondly, prove that you are a results-oriented person, which is what every company wants. Perhaps most importantly, it will immediately separate you from the crowd of candidates and separate you from all the other candidates who are still listing their old job responsibilities.
I want you to start thinking about your resume in a whole new way. It is not a history of your job responsibilities. This is a marketing document, plain and simple.
The product it sells is you. Its only purpose is to be compelling enough to get you in the door for an interview. So I’m going to leave you with a challenge.
Open your resume now and start applying the “so what” test to each line. I promise you, there are amazing, valuable solutions out there, buried beneath a bunch of boring tasks, just waiting for you to discover them.
Mastering your executive brand: A guide for C Suite professionals
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire big game hunter Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he’s done so much in people’s careers Easier. These matters may involve job hunting, Recruit more effectively, manage and lead better, career transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes.
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You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, JobSearch.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
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The executive resume game is different
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