Transforming your Resume

Transcription

1 Transforming your Resume Copyright All rights reserved. The content of this publication is the copyrighted work of Wiser U, LLC. The reproduction and/or distribution of this publication, including any of its parts, is strictly prohibited.

2 With Kathy Bernard Career Coach Resume Writer Creator of the WiserU Career System Invite me to connect on LinkedIn: Kathy Bernard, St. Louis, MO

3 Today s Purposes: 1) Determine: Use a CV or resume 2) Develop a targeted resume, modified for every opening 3) Learn what s wrong with most resumes 4) Play up strengths/fix weaknesses 5) Handle wrong/no experience

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5 CV or Resume? Curriculum Vitae = Course of life Full record of academic/work history Same CV every time. Only cover letter changes Resume = Summary Covers relevant highlights of work/education Relays why you re the best for the job Modify it for each opening

6 CVs Full academic background (degrees, research, awards, achievements, publications, presentations, patents, grants, fellowships, associations, affiliations, memberships, licenses, classes, professional development, teaching/work experience) Put most important/relevant categories first Length: Varies

7 Resumes Education and relevant professional experience for last years Headline and summary emphasizing why you are the best person for the job, relevant skills accomplishments, and achievements Length: 1-2 pages. Remove early, irrelevant experience

8 CVs AND Resumes Name and contact info (city/state, phone number, address, and LinkedIn profile address). Education, skills, experience, and achievements (in detail for CVs, briefly in your resume).

9 General Tips CVs or Resume: Research examples for your field. Don t include your salary history. For resumes, start sentences with action verbs. Keep entries short (preferably one line each). Don t use I. For CVs, use full sentences.

10 Resume problems: 1) Wrong format 2) Generic 3) Don t play up why you re uniquely qualified

11 I love creativity, but... With online applications, creativity can kill Improperly formatted resumes go unread Keywords and qualifications are king Be creative in other ways

12 What s wrong: PDF format, 2 columns Hard-to-read type No quantifiable results Objective is about her, not the company

13 What s wrong: PDF format Multi- columns Artsy Old fashioned feel Dense copy Lines

14 What s wrong: PDF format, multiple columns Artsy for arts sake No duties or accomplishments

15 What s wrong: PDF format, multiple columns Way too busy No duties

16 Keep it simple 1. Black text on white paper 2. Use only standard bullet or hyphen

17 2-page resumes are widely accepted Don t limit your experience to 1 page! Use extra space to: o o o o o Establish your brand Emphasize your skills Add duties/accomplishments Increase type size Add white space

18 Chronological or capabilities resume?

19 Capability/functional resume?

20 86% prefer chronological See accomplishments at a particular company See gaps and whether you are progressing or digressing Relates better online

21 Saving your document GOOD: Word BEST: Plain text NOT RECOMMENDED: pdf, Excel, jpeg, or Word 2007 or newer (some companies can t open.docx)

22 Plain text formatting Create in Word; save as Plain Text Use fixed width font like Courier

23 Plain text quirks

24 Highly formatted resume Only for interviews or applying offline

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27 Resume tips from top to bottom

28 Resume formatting 1 border to prevent text cut off 1 to 2 pages 1 font Use standard fonts: Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman or Calibri to be readable on ATS 11 pt. or larger body copy Double space between sections

29 More formatting tips Limit italics and underlining No lines, boxes, shading, graphics, tables, or columns Make and web links live Type First Name Last Name, page # at the top of all pages beyond page 1 Don t add a header or footer Limit indents

30 Add bold section headers CAREER HIGHLIGHTS SKILLS SUMMARY PROFICIENCIES EXPERIENCE EDUCATION/TRAINING AWARDS/ACTIVITIES (Optional)

31 Contact information section Name o Certification / degree abbreviations Address o Local/national Cell number address LinkedIn address

32 Use headline NOT an objective OBJECTIVE: To positively contribute in a creative advertising trajectory. SAD BUT TRUE: Companies don t care what you want. They want to know what you can do for them.

33 Headline: Match the job Proven Human Resources Manager with Extensive Global Corporate Recruiting and Compliance Experience

34 Include career highlights Spit back main job requirements

35 Include a skills summary List keywords from job description in alphabetical order

36 List proficiencies Add category header: PROFICIENCIES (Alphabetical) List computer and tech skills List Microsoft Office Suite, including Access, Excel, Outlook, etc.

37 Add certifications / licenses Double space under PROFICIENCIES listing Certifications Project Management Certification (PMP), Current Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), Current Licenses Life Accident & Health Insurance Agent License, Current FINRA 7, 63 and 66, Current AAMS Designation, Current

38 Feature your experience Most recent job first 1 st line: Company name, city/state and starting/ending date (to the far right) 2 nd line: Company description (in italic) 3 rd line: Job title (bolded)

39 Educate readers about companies What did the company do? Enterprise Rent-A-Car The world s largest rental car company. LHM Global nonprofit with a $20 million budget and 33 world offices.

40 List duties in order of importance Explain why duties mattered Try to keep duties to one line each Weed out irrelevant tasks

41 Match the job description Match job requirements Use keywords from the job description Add quantifiable results

42 Learn keywords Test resume against job description on Wordle.net

43 Example that needs works

44 Play up experience Weak: I helped edit magazine articles. Strong: Managed award-winning editorial content for Blank magazine, the flagship publication of XYZ Corp. Both statements are true. The second one says it with power

45 Use power verbs Start with power verb: Led the successful implementation of Don t use I.

46 Use power verbs Type resume power words into Google Or, try

47 Leadership keywords Accomplished Built Business Created Decisive Develop Directed Experienced Implemented Launched Led Leveraged Managed Oversaw Proven Results Strategic Transformed

48 Accountant keywords Tax accounting Reconciliations Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable General ledger Profit or loss statements CPA, MBA

49 Use quantifiable statements Increased sales or donations by $XX / XX% Secured $XX cost savings by Trained XX employees in a new program, which resulted in a XX% increase in sales

50 No quantifiable statements? Consider part you played to bring about results Was part of a team that brought about $120,000 in savings by implementing

51 Break up text into bullet points Long paragraphs are hard to read Better - Real Estate Solutions Architect - Led technology integration of 14 companies into one - Integrated offerings between business major units - Developed proposals, due diligence reports, and ROI estimates - Bundled B2B/B2C internet services, increasing sales by 225% while saving 38% over previous processes

52 Use degree AND abbreviation FORMAT: MBA Master of Business Administration, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN BS Bachelor of Science Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX

53 Include courses Relevant college classes Training/courses after college

54 Wrong degree or no degree? Include classes, seminars, training courses Play up proficiencies Take a college class. Say, Working toward XX degree. Consider (honestly) saying proficiencies / experience equivalent to an Associates degree in

55 What else? Have network vouch for you Have a flawless resume and cover letter Focus on companies willing to hire you Include samples Consider leaving education off

56 Include awards/activities List awards and honors Volunteer involvement, particularly field related If very active, shorten list to most relevant Don t list personal information

57 Omit References line Drop the line or add a page of references References Available upon request.

58 Determine best references Have 4+ references; at least 2 a business reference Ask influential people in your target field, industry or company

59 Ask! Don t assume Remind them of your relationship Bring them up to date Frame request to give them an out: "Would you be comfortable serving as a reference for me during my job search? Never pressure a reluctant reference Seek an alternate instead

60 Ask for this information: Name (and nickname) Job title Company / school name and address Phone number address Relationship to you

61 Prepare your references them: Job description Bullet points about job qualifications Resume Company representative s contact information Follow up by phone

62 Example: Del Schwinke Director of Retail Advertising Geile-Leon Marketing Communications 130 S. Bemiston Ave. Clayton, MO Adjust Advertising Professor, Washington University (Volunteer) President of the Advertising Club of St. Louis (AAF) (W) (C) Relationship: Long-term colleagues on the Advertising Club of Saint Louis board.

63 In conclusion WORK your resume to rise to the top!

64 Do so by Being prepared for online applications Branding yourself as a perfect match Being flawless in grammar, punctuation and consistency

65 Be careful! Proof every time Check dates, titles, etc. Run spell check Have someone read your materials Improve your grammar / punctuation

66 Attach documents! Attach resume when you type the word attached as in Please find my resume attached.

67 Resume / LinkedIn profile = Be consistent Update LinkedIn profile when you update resume Make sure numbers agree

68 Sounds simple, but Many job seekers use the same ineffectual resume again and again and NEVER land a well-paying job that they love.

69 That doesn t have to happen to you!

70 WiserU will train you to get what you want WiserUCareerSystem.com

71 We ll train you in the most strategic way possible Research-based, step-by-step video training Follow-up take action guides Special resources including a career action plan, resume template, cover letter template, and LinkedIn profile template that will teach you EXACTLY what to say and do

72 View intro videos wiseru.com/career-system/ wiseru.com/career-system

73 WiserU also provides individual Career coaching Interview preparation LinkedIn training Resume LinkedIn profile Recruiter Reach services Services: or visit wiseru.com/services/

74 Transforming your Resume Copyright All rights reserved. The content of this publication is the copyrighted work of Wiser U, LLC. The reproduction and/or distribution of this publication, including any of its parts, is strictly prohibited.