A powerful resume is like a short story that grabs the reader and keeps him or her engaged. Learn how to write your power resume with these 13 easy steps.
Your resume is the best marketing tool that you can use to shape your career. You cannot exhibit your capabilities directly and this is where you need to paint yourself differently and accurately in a resume that will define your abilities very precisely matching up to the reality.
This article presents 13 sure-fire tips that have benefited hundreds (college students, clients, colleagues, family, and friends) regardless of the career field or level.
They're certain to help you to create a powerful resume in 13 easy steps.
1. Prepare a brief profile.
Start strong with a brief profile, not an objective. Listing an objective is a thing of the past. What should your profile contain? Two or three short snappy phrases that summarize your experience, skills, and personality traits. Regarding the latter, avoid writing a laundry list.
So, what three words best describe you? Your dominant personality traits surface in your professional and personal life. In other words, wherever you go you're there.
2. Don't sound like your job description.
Do not turn your resume into a document that reads like a boring job description. Instead, discuss accomplishments. How did you make a difference? What skills or unique abilities were utilized to make things better. Pick one or two accomplishments from your current position. Provide a brief summary.
3. Select the right format.
All in all, two types of resume formats exist- chronological and functional. While the former begins with your most current position and works backward, the latter builds the resume around your dominant skills.
4. Include special training/professional development.
For more than a few years, I advised a friend to include a professional development section on her resume. Why? Employers like to see what you've been doing since graduating from college. As a result of working in the corporate arena, she racked up a lot of training. Well, to make a long story short, it made her stand out and receive even better offers.
5. List education and credentials last.
You are not selling your education; degrees are a dime a dozen. You are promoting your unique skills that help potential employers solve problems. Hence, list your credentials last, not first.
6. Determine the appropriate length.
A recent college graduate, high school student, or person entering the workforce for the first time will not have as nearly much to say as someone more experienced.
7. Omit references.
Create a special file for references. By the way, your references should be people who know you in a professional capacity. And, make sure each person has good written and verbal communication skills.
8. Create a tagline.
Imagine this. You work in human resources as a recruiter. Every day you receive tons of resumes when you open your email; no one stands out because the subject lines say things like Resume or the resume of. Be creative! Use a tagline. When you save the document, use the tagline, not your name.
9. Always send a cover letter.
The letter should state what you're applying for, how you can contribute, and most important, it should refer the reader to the resume. Cut and paste or copy the letter into the body of your email.
10. Use present tense.
Instead of writing in the past tense, use the present when you're describing your current role. It adds punch and lets a potential employer know that you still make a positive impact.
11. Be creative.
Why not include a testimonial? Select a comment or two from a performance review. Or use a new template?
12. Develop a resume website.
If you really want to stand out, develop a professional resume website. It's free and a template is provided.
13. Delete These Useless Words From Your Resume:
- Successful / Accomplished (do not add adjectives to try to boost your status, instead show that you have been successful through the text written on your résumé)
- Guru / Ninja / Rock Star (informal and not helpful for keyword purposes)
- Seasoned (makes one sound old)
- Honest (this is obvious and does not need to be stated)
- Results-driven / Results-oriented (explain your specific results under each job position, instead of simply writing results-driven)
- Driven / Motivated / Passionate / Focused / Hardworking (this is obvious and does not need to be stated)
- Goal-oriented (give concrete examples using goal numbers to show that you achieved or exceeded your yearly/monthly/weekly goals)
- Significantly (include concrete numbers or strong text to show the reader your significant results)
- Go-to person (clearly explain your level of responsibility)
- Team Player (it is understood that you know how to work with people)
- Responsible for / Duties include (use more exciting action verbs to explain your responsibilities and duties; Google resume action verbs to find lists of appropriate verbs, and make sure that every bullet under each job description starts with a verb)
- Familiar (does not convey that you are good at whatever follows)
- Stay-At-Home Parent (potential employers should not know about your children as it is not relevant to your career)
- Resume (do not write Resume at the top of your document)
- Objective (do not write Objective at the top of your document, instead use a career summary section and label it with your current job title)
- References (do not write References Available Upon Request at the bottom of your document)
- First-person or Third-person Language (do not use first-person or third-person language, instead use formal resume language to look professional)
Finalize Your Power Resume
Make sure that you carefully proofread your resume to ensure that every word is powerful, specific, and needed. Once you believe everything is perfect, have at least 3 other people read through it to verify that there are no mistakes or unnecessary words.
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