| Testimonials. You see them everywhere. Quotes | | | | used 10 more like him!"- Bill Groundsman, |
| in a magazine ad from people extolling the virtues | | | | Pleasantville Golf Course |
| of a new diet, a TV ad where someone is raving | | | | The higher level the job you're applying to, the |
| about the difference a new anti-wrinkle cream | | | | more impressive your testimonial should be: For |
| has made to her life, or perhaps a photo and | | | | someone seeking a job as a Plant Manager: |
| short quote on the Internet from someone who | | | | Good: "John Jobseeker played an integral role in |
| has found true romance through an online dating | | | | identifying inefficient processes and transitioning |
| service. Testimonials have long been part of the | | | | work to an outside vendor, thus reducing plant |
| advertising business because they're so effective. | | | | costs by $1.5M in 2009." -J.P. Magnate, President, |
| But have you ever seen a testimonial on a | | | | Magnate Inc. |
| resume? Possibly not, because they're still | | | | Bad: "John Jobseeker was always a great guy to |
| somewhat uncommon. | | | | know. He was always friendly, and never too |
| It may seem strange to suggest you use an | | | | busy to give me the time of day." -Jake Guy, |
| advertising technique on your resume, but | | | | Elevator Operator, Magnate Inc. |
| remember: a resume is a marketing tool. Its | | | | It doesn't have to be stuffy, but it shouldn't be |
| whole purpose is to market you as a great | | | | too informal: For someone seeking a position as a |
| employee. It shows that you are a tried and true | | | | Research Assistant: |
| investment, and projects an image of a | | | | Good: "I appreciated how Sarah always showed |
| competent, experienced, valuable employee. | | | | an eye for detail, a willingness to go the extra |
| Ultimately, it can persuade a hiring manage that it | | | | mile, and impeccable ethics. I would hire her again |
| is well worth the time to interview you. | | | | in a minute." -Mary Manager, Supervisor, Smith |
| Why do testimonials work? | | | | Labs. |
| | | | Bad: "A good employee? Man, Sarah's the best. |
| 1. They're eye-catching and different: Hiring | | | | Funny, smart, very cool." -Lily Coworker, Lab |
| managers can look through 200 resumes or more | | | | Assistant, Smith Labs. |
| to fill one job, and they're only human. After a | | | | Make sure the testimonial isn't bland or generic, |
| while their eyes start to glaze over, seeing the | | | | and adds something extra to your resume: For |
| same cookie-cutter resume format over and | | | | someone applying for a job as an Executive |
| over. A well-written, well-placed testimonial will | | | | Assistant: |
| jump out at them, and wake them up a little! | | | | Good: "Rebecca was always efficient, punctual, |
| 2. They're third person: Of course you're going to | | | | and dedicated to making my office run like a |
| say you're a team player with great leadership | | | | well-oiled machine. Her sense of humour and |
| skills who thinks outside the box and gets great | | | | innate ability to handle difficult situations with tact |
| results - it's YOUR RESUME!It's much more | | | | will be greatly missed." -Joan McBoss, C.F.O., Smith |
| compelling and meaningful if a third person, | | | | Industries Inc. |
| preferably a former boss or manager, is willing to | | | | Bad: " When Rebecca Jobseeker was my |
| go on record as saying really positive things about | | | | assistant, she did the filing, answered the phones, |
| you and what you bring to the job. | | | | did all the correspondence, and also various other |
| 3. They bring in the human element: On their | | | | stuff." - Paul Oversight, Chief Accountant, Smith |
| resume, people tend to use words like | | | | Industries Inc. |
| hard-working, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, etc., to | | | | Make sure the testimonial is from a work-related |
| describe themselves, but a testimonial can highlight | | | | source: For someone applying to be a chef in a |
| certain qualities you have that you might not feel | | | | restaurant: |
| comfortable attributing to yourself. A good | | | | Good: "Michael Jobseeker is a chef with immense |
| testimonial, while emphasizing a person's | | | | flair, dedication and creativity. He had a gift for |
| professionalism, may also refer to his or her great | | | | creating dishes that were unusual yet very |
| sense of humour, compassion, or popularity | | | | popular among our clientele." -Pierre Maitre, Head |
| among co-workers and clients. | | | | Chef, Chez Paris Bistro |
| Where can I get a testimonial? The best sources | | | | Bad: "Everything Michael Jobseeker cooks is a |
| are awards, letters of reference, former | | | | delight. The dinner he cooked me on Mother's Day |
| employers, professors (if you've just graduated), | | | | was a dream come true!" - Maria Jobseeker, |
| satisfied clients, or business associates. If you | | | | Mother |
| don't have something you can use, call up a | | | | What kind of format should I use? Basically, you |
| former boss or business associate you feel | | | | need a few sentences in quotes, followed by the |
| comfortable approaching, and explain what you | | | | name, title and company of the person being |
| need. Assuming you left the job on good terms, | | | | quoted. Some people include a phone number as |
| people are usually happy to help out. Don't tell | | | | well for easy confirmation. |
| them what to say, because that would border on | | | | Where should I put it? Some people put the |
| unethical, but ask them to write a few sentences, | | | | testimonials in a separate box somewhere on the |
| and mention you may only use selected parts of | | | | first page. Others put it between two horizontal |
| their testimonial. Very Important: Make sure you | | | | lines, in a slightly different font, perhaps italics. |
| have the person's permission to use this | | | | Really, though, it's up to you. Just keep it clear, |
| information on your resume. No exceptions. | | | | easy to read, eye-catching but not obtrusive. |
| What should a testimonial look like? Here are | | | | Final note of caution: Used correctly, a testimonial |
| some guidelines, with examples: | | | | can be very effective. Used badly, it can be just |
| The testimonial must be relevant to the job or | | | | plain embarrassing and look amateurish. If you feel |
| field you're applying to: For someone applying to | | | | you're up to the challenge, great. If you're not |
| be a Sales Manager: | | | | good at formatting or design, the words "Don't |
| Good: "John was a loyal and enthusiastic sales | | | | try this at home" may apply to you. If this applies |
| manager, and because of his focused and | | | | to you, it's probably best to leave it off altogether |
| competitive style, his division led the field in | | | | or ask a professional resume writer for help. |
| national sales for 3 years running."-Peter Topguy, | | | | If you do decide to use a testimonial, you may |
| C.E.O., Giantico Company | | | | find it's a powerful weapon in your job-search |
| Bad:" John was the best landscaper we ever had. | | | | artillery. |
| Too bad he left to go into sales, we could have | | | | |