Melanie L. Denny makes resumes standout amongst others with her resume writing service company Resume-Evolution
If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’ve had experience looking for a job. The hassle of re-editing a resume you’ve already done a thousand times can make one exhausted at just the thought. Yet, and still, you barely get a bite out of 22 resumes sent to companies looking to hire people like you. You need help. Yes, professional help from a resume-writing expert. Meet Melanie Denny owner of Resume-Evolution.
Denny helps her clients’ resume skip the line ahead of other candidates, and she loves doing it. The Nova Southeastern University alumnus (B.S. and M.B.A.) has already helped hundreds change their life with a powerful resume, and, surprisingly, restoring their confidence in their value they can add to employers.
Read more about Melanie Denny in Episode 12 of People You Should Know.
1. Why is it so important for a resume to be designed and worded a certain way to get companies to consider someone?
Once upon a time, you could make a resume on your typewriter, mail it to a company and get a phone call for you to come in for an interview within a few days. Now, with technology advancements, recruiters are reading resumes on cell phones, tablets and computer screens.
People in general take in so much information, that we have very short attention spans. In fact, if you apply online and the applicant tracking software (ATS) puts you through to a real person, that recruiter will take an average of 6 seconds to make a decision on if you’re a viable candidate.
The reality that I have accepted is that, I write resumes for a living for no one to read. What job seekers need to realize is that resumes need to be designed with the reader in mind, so, in 6 seconds they are “WOWed” while capturing the main pieces of information they are looking for in a candidate.
That’s why I’ve formulated a special method for creating all my resumes. I call it making your resume L.I.V.E! TM L – look good I – intentional V – value based and E – enticing.
If your resume is anything but L.I.V.E!TM, it’s likely going in the trash.
2. Are there many other black women in the resume writing industry?
I’m glad you asked this question. Honestly, when I was starting out, I didn’t see very many that were certified or credentialed. This is why I decided that once I got established, I would become more visible in my industry by volunteering to participate in various positions in the National Resume Writer’s Association, for instance. I think it’s important for up and coming resumes writers of color to see themselves represented.
I make it a point to try to reach out and support other black writers when I see them. I actually have a few that I mentor and I absolutely love pouring into them.
3. When did you realize you wanted to start Resume-Evolution and how did you get the process started?
From the age of 15 when I had my first job (and quit after day 2) I knew entrepreneurship was for me. I just had no clue what or how…or anything for that matter. But, writing was always my strength.
While in college, I ended up rewriting my best friend’s resume. I actually enjoyed it. I bought some resume books, then did my own, my boyfriend’s, my other friends’, their friends and friends of friends. Eventually, one guy said, “Mel, you’re really good at this. You should charge” At the time, I didn’t think it was a ‘thing.’ Charge for writing resumes?
Off to Google I went to discover this was indeed a ‘thing’. There were certifications and organizations and a whole industry with awards and accolades. So, I started doing every resume I could get my hands on – for free. Then I put up a website, started charging $35 a pop and registered Resume-Evolution as my business.
4. Nowadays, as a professional, is it really necessary to have a LinkedIn page and, if so, what are the benefits?
Some of my colleagues believe if you’re not on LinkedIn, you don’t exist. These are strong words, but the reality is 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to search for their candidates. So, if that’s where they’re searching, then that’s where you need to be. Period.
There are more than 500 million LinkedIn users globally, and 1 in 3 professionals are on LinkedIn. So, with a strong LinkedIn profile, you’ll have a 24/7 self-marketing billboard. This allows you to essentially sell your skills and accomplishments in your sleep.
I actually teach my clients how to leverage LinkedIn to get recruiters to find them, connect with their future boss and build relationships with those in a position to hire them or refer them into new career opportunities.
Bottom line: if you’re in the market for a job, will be in the market for a job, or have a business, you need to be on LinkedIn.
5. What would you say to a person who believes all resumes are the same and as long as you use keywords to your industry, you’ll be hired?
I would tell them that they are sadly mistaken.
The thing that they don’t understand is that the competition today is so vast; you HAVE to stand out in order to even have a chance at getting a call back (unless you know someone, which is the most ideal situation).
I would tell them that if they have a resume that can be copied and pasted into anyone else’s resume with a similar background and work, they’re dead in the water.
Your resume is yours. It should be unique to you. It should be branded and full of your quantified achievements. This is what gets employers’ attention. You’ve got to be able to sell your value in their language (I like to call it “monese”). It’s all about the dollars and cents. Listing job description jargon and focusing on tasks won’t get you very far. Plus, if you want to get paid the big bucks, you’ve got to show that you’re worth that fat paycheck.
6. What do you love about being an entrepreneur? (Congratulations on the birth of your twins by the way!)
(Thanks so much for the congratulations! I’m still adjusting to the jump from 1 son to 3 kids.) I love my freedom. The corporate world really isn’t for me. I need to be able to take time off when I need to without having to depend on someone else to grant me permission. I just can’t deal with someone else having the power to decide when I can go be with my kids, how many days I can be sick, or when I can eat lunch. I’m a free spirit. Working at someone’s job just stifles me. Owning my business is demanding, but when I need to, I take the time I need for my family. That feeling is priceless!
7. Where do you see Resume-Evolution 5 years from now?
Being a full-time business owner requires you to wear several hats. It’s quite a bit to juggle especially with a husband and family. So, in 5 years, we will likely have a larger staff of writers and a full-time support team, so I can fully step away from the day-to-day ins and outs of client work.
8. Have you been a speaker at any events or done classes for business or schools?
I absolutely LOVE to speak on career topics. Most recently I traveled to Colorado Springs to speak to the US Olympics Committee FLAME participants on how to leverage LinkedIn to jumpstart their careers. FLAME stands for Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere and it provides diverse college and graduate-level students with a unique look into the world of elite sport.
9. What common words do people overuse on their resume the most?
“experience” – this term is banned from my resumes.
“effective communication” – Yeah, we know, you’re an effective communicator.
“team player” – really?
“dynamic” – are you? Show us.
“managed” – let’s get more creative with your verbiage. Which reminds me of another one…”creative” ugh!
“Results-driven” – what kind of results?
“Hard worker” – we know *eye roll*
“Detail-oriented” – blah blah blah
10. What is your favorite response, to date, from a client that you received after using your services?
“Wow, is that me?!”
LOL! I love when they realize that they are truly brilliant and they finally get to see how valuable they are in black and white. It gives them that much more confidence when they job search, apply, network and interview. At the end of the day, that’s what I’m selling: confidence.
