How To Use A Resume To Select Better People

In a matter of minutes I concluded that he really didn’t make the best use of that document. I suggested that he refocus on what he wanted from the person who would take on the responsibilities and what the individual would have to work with. I was firm in my position and offered the following as an example of how to proceed.

I asked him to put himself in the position of - President of the United States - looking to fill cabinet positions.

What would those under consideration have to work with?

The new cabinet member would not be able to bring in their own staff. The people in place are government employees, bureaucrats secure in their positions. There would be no opportunity to provide the typical motivators; no bonus, stock options, raises, or pieces of equity for superior performance. The cabinet assignment was short term - maybe four years, with a steep learning curve. No one could be really prepared for the job. Success was in every sense of the words, entirely dependent on the talents of those in place.

What would the President be looking for from the man or woman who filled the cabinet position?

The President would want accurate, timely, and as complete information as possible on issues and questions that needed decisions which would have far reaching and long term implications. The information would usually have to be provided on short notice and often times it would be impossible to determine its real worth until sometime much later.
A tough job to be sure.

To accomplish this, the new cabinet member would have to be able to make good judgments about his staff; who was capable and could be trusted, who was a clear and logical thinker, and who surrounded themselves with a good support team. They would also have to be able to make decisions with less than complete information and they had to provide fast answers when questions needed to be decided.

The cabinet person would have to motivate through people skills not be intimidation or promises for the future. They would have to get the best out of their people without either a carrot or a stick. And failure to effectively motivate could set up a situation where less than the best information would be provided. Does the term “sandbagging” send a chill down your back?

Who can best succeed as a cabinet member?

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Art Consoli's unique background and skills allow him to speak and write about how someone with limited experience can do a self-evaluation which will let him decide which business opportunity is best, how to evaluate opportunities and gain control over the one which offers the greatest potential and then manage that business to success. Readers of his book call and write to tell him how much his book has helped their lives and improved their business. The author can be reached at www.businessstrategyartconsoli.com.