6 brain-based tips for the best profile you'll ever write

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+44 (0) 7976 751 095 [email protected] http://danbeverly.com

6 Brain-based Tips for the Best Profile You'll Ever Write 24 November 2016

We don't need yet more advice on what to put in our profiles. What we need is a brain-based

approach to put all that other advice to work. Take a brain-based approach for your best profile, ever.

There's enough out there on the "perfect" profile to make

your head spin.

So no sense me adding to it. But perhaps I can complement

it. Here are 6 neuroscience-backed considerations for your

next perfect profile.

Set the Frame.

Our brain loves to generalise and categorise. A place

for everything; and everything in its place. To have

our profile hit home and entice further reading and

consideration, we need to set the right frame from the

outset.

For your next profile: right beneath your name

(which I hope is already the first and biggest thing

on your profile), add a descriptor ("Management

Consultant", "Research Analyst", "Programme

Manger" etc.) that you can legitimately claim and

that most closely matches the role you're going for.

And use the descriptor of their language, not yours.

Future Focus.

Our brain loves to imagine the future and get

solutions-focused. When it does that, it creates new

connections and pathways; dreams-up new insights;

and releases positive neurotransmitters like dopamine

and adrenaline. So we feel good and want to take

action.

For your next profile: move away from dull,

backward-looking renditions of past roles and

responsibilities. And instead, dig-out evidence that

links what you have done with what you will do for

your next employer. Give them a guarantee of future

performance that will interest and excite them. Your

"Personal Promise".

Home Runs Only, Please.

So, this sounds obvious: because you're not going to

litter your profile with issues and setbacks. But we

can easily go the other way: and list every single

small win, ever. And whilst the temptation might be

to think: some achievements is good; more is better.

Know this: the brain doesn't sum what it knows

about you; it averages it.

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+44 (0) 7976 751 095 [email protected] http://danbeverly.com

For your next profile: remind yourself that less is

more. Say 1 or 2 superb things about yourself and

what you've achieved. And it'll have far more brain-

based impact than 1 or 2 superb achievements,

diluted by 3 or 4 mediocre achievements.

Showcase Your Competencies.

Our brain loves novelty and interest. It loves to have

its interest piqued; and made to make new

connections; all while being kept safe enough to

explore. In the context of a profile, we can do that by

showcasing our key differentiators: our competencies.

For your next profile: really distinguish yourself from

the rest of the crowd by NOT burying your

differentiating experience and expertise within a

listed career history. Instead, showcase your

competencies (how you bring to bear your skills,

knowledge and abilities to deliver a result) as stand-

alone headings, followed by 2 or 3 stellar examples

that evidence that competency.

Succinct. Specific. Scannable.

Our thinking brain is limited in its capacity and

extremely energy intensive. And so it avoids the

threat of too much new thinking. For your profile, it

means your reader's brain doesn't want to spend time

and energy on this.

For your next profile: make it super brain-friendly by

adopting 3 simple rules: succinct; specific; scannable.

Get to the essence of your offer and build your profile

around that small but potent handful of

differentiators. And don't forget to format accordingly

to make them stand out.

30 Seconds to Impress.

Our brain makes a decision before "we" do. In the

blink of an eye, we've decided. At which point, we

invest the time to justify our already-made decisions.

For your next profile: run it through your own 30-

second test. If you've not taken a look at your profile

for a while: perfect. If you're working on it right now,

finish it and put it to one side before coming back to

it a day later. Grab a pen and paper for notes: and

then open your profile. What do you notice? What

impression do you get? What screams out? Who is

the owner of this profile? And now make some notes

to inform your next edit.

Dan Beverly is a leadership and performance coach helping ambitious, high-

achieving professional women land their perfect career.

His mission is to inspire possibility in others for a career that leaves us feeling

fulfilled in our work, confident in ourselves and balanced in our life.

Go online to book your “Session Zero” with Dan – and start capitalising on

your pivotal career moments today.

http://danbeverly.com/session-zero



6 brain-based tips for the best profile you'll ever write

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