If you do it for your résumé, you’re doing it wrong!

For most of my life I’ve heard people talk about getting involved or volunteering for something for the sole purpose of highlighting it on their résumé. This approach is simply all wrong.
People can sense genuineness. Your heart isn’t something that is hidden. If you want people to invest in you…then you need to invest in them. And this investment can’t come on just a business side while you represent them if you want to achieve maximum results.

Invest in your community. Get to know people in different spheres. And don’t do it to increase your business. Do it because you genuinely care. That’ll make all the difference.

2011 has been my best year yet in real estate. My business is up almost 300% from last year. I’m selling more than 1 house/week and I’ve reached every goal I’ve set out for myself for the year. It’s incredible, and my blessings are overflowing…

In a market where our home sales are down 30%, I can’t keep up and am looking to make my second and third hires for my team.

All the while, I’ve done this while holding down a second job in ministry (working 15-20 hours/week). I’ve also volunteered hundreds of hours for a charity (www.homelessandhungry.org) I started with my old youth group in 2006.

But the more I volunteer and the more I invest in the community – the more my business increases. Your clients will understand your other investments – and in fact I believe they’ll be drawn to that. If you have to work around your volunteering schedule or a sports team you play on/coach or whatever…they’ll be ok with that. And I believe, subconsciously, they’ll be attracted to that.

I play basketball over my noon hour Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have for almost 9 years. And at basketball I met Ryan. He used me for both his buyer’s and seller’s agent in 2007 when he moved. He used me again this year when he moved again. His wife referred me to two co-workers who used me. One bought one of my listings (a hogger) and one used me to list her home (which I also hogged).

One friend from basketball = 8 transactions. And I don’t play basketball to meet clients. I play because I love the sport.

Don’t volunteer to boost your résumé. Volunteer to make a difference. Don’t get involved in clubs and organizations outside of work so people think you’re well rounded. Become well rounded by getting involved. Your clients will care more about your genuineness than they will your résumé.

Making a difference makes all the difference.