How To Get Your SPECIFIC Point Across

Which of these resume summary statements lights up your brain?

>> "Dedicated, results-driven sales and management professional with a track record of successful performance."

>> "Led 8-person sales team to a 22% increase in sales over the past 12 months."

Pretty obvious, right? The first is boilerplate and generic - vague commodity language that says nothing to secure our admiration. The second contains three very specific numbers that demonstrate actual results, and therefore gains our attention.

The human brain loves specifics. And if we want to get our point across, and gain attention, we do well to lead with tangible and specific language. Vague is forgettable.

Which of these two individuals would be more likely to earn a targeted referral?

>> "Seeking new role in business operations management."

>> "Ideally suited to help the leaders of a growing early-stage software development company scale to the next level by managing a team of internal and outsourced technical developers."

One reason why many talented professionals remain on the sidelines for so long in career transition is because they are not targeting their search to a very specific type of role. If I can picture the role you seek, I can provide an accurate referral. The clearer the picture you can paint for others, the more accurately they can help you find an ideal role.

The Point: Clarity involves exchanging vagueness for specificity. Your audience is a human brain, and the brain lights up for specifics.

Do you know your specific strengths and skills? Are you painting a specific picture for others about your career trajectory? It's worth investing the time to outline your differentiating distinctiveness into straightforward language that sets a clear direction.

Effective communication starts with gaining attention. To do that, we need to get right to the point. We need to take advantage of the brain-awakening power of the unexpected. And, we need to use specifics. These tactics are all part of the Clarity Formula for effective communications.

Steve Woodruff offers personal career coaching, and conducts virtual and live workshops for learning how to apply the Clarity Formula to your professional life. He is the author of the book Clarity Wins. Contact Steve here.

Steve has a gift to see the distinctive strengths of each person. These are often reflexive, so we can't see them in ourselves. Steve helps you see them and then say them with clarity. My experience with Steve was exactly what his references said it would be. I'm thankful for his investment in me.