A Qualifications Brief instantly sets you apart from everyone else

If there is one document that will separate you from the masses of people who are submitting their resumes to prospective employers it’s the qualifications brief.

Resumes give a brief overview of a persons work history and educational background. Resumes include jobs held perhaps with some job descriptions and accomplishments. While some formats may differ the information is fairly standard. the largest section nearly always explains a persons job history.
A qualifications brief on the other hand is designed specifically to get an interview.

At the top of the Q Brief you should have your name , address and phone number. This immediately gives the prospective employer the most basic information that he or she needs.

First section – “Record of Success”

This is where you are selling yourself – do not be modest! Use a bullet format with short sentences. Items like awards, attendance records, customer reactions and compliments are used in this section.

Next section – “Educational Accomplishments”

Anything relevant to this job.

Next section – “Extra-curricular Accomplishments”

Anything that shows you are a responsible person.

Next section – “Awards”

Any award you have ever received.

Next section – “Other Facts”

This is where you would show anything else that shows you are a good candidate for the job.

Next section – “Interests and Hobbies”

Anything that shows you are a team player.

Why take the time to create a Qualifications Brief?

Reason #1 – Most of your competition will not have one.

Reason #2 – It demonstrates you have the skills, personality traits, and record of success the employer is looking for.

At this point you may be saying…

“What if I don’t have a lot of skills and success that I can highlight on a qualifications brief?”

Guess what?

Everyone, including you has things that he or she is good at and accomplishments he or she has earned.

All you have to do is take some time to dig them out of your memory banks. List them – then incorporate them into your qualifications brief.

Rules of Road

You should always have one when you apply for a job, ANY job, and it should focus on the needs of the employer.

A well crafted qualifications brief clearly shows you have the

Character Personality Traits Background

to meet the employers needs.

If you take the time to design your qualification brief just right the prospective employer says to themselves -

“This is just the type of person we are looking for.”

By: Ian James

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