Have you ever heard of the 5W1H Formula? It’s especially helpful in planning your resume and job search.
Rudyard Kipling, the great poet once wrote:
I keep six faithful serving men
Who teach me well and true
Their names are What and Where and When
And How and Why and Who.
Journalists call this the “5W1H” formula and while it’s great for investigating information for a story or article, you can apply it when writing your own resume and planning your job search.
- Who are you pitching your skills to?
- What can you do for them?
- Why are you better than other candidates? Why choose you?
- How can you prove your case?
- Where should you communicate your message to reach prime prospects?
- When is it best strategically to reach them?
The four can be successfully exploited when writing your resume. Is your message targeted correctly? Is it clear what you do and how superior you are to other candidates? Have you proven it by value propositions in your resume and cover letter? The rest is helping you communicate your message. Where should you go with your powerful PR piece (resume)? Should you go to the job boards filled with hopeful jobseekers where your application may be lost? OR, should you network, communicate your availability on social media sites such as Linked in, Facebook and Twitter where you can source specialist recruiters, senior executives, and industry movers and shakers?
The 5W1H formula is clear and compelling and you can use it right now!
