Resume For Results
How To Ensure Your Resume Stands Out From The Crowd
Recruiters and hiring managers make decisions fast!
▪ Resumes need to look great
▪ Resumes need to be easy to read and process
▪ Resumes must make it easy for readers to see a
‘fit’
Time is of the essence!
First Impressions Count
Chronological (Reverse):
▪ Career history shows growth
▪ Objective is similar to your recent experience
▪ Previous employers prestigious
▪ Highly traditional field Functional:
▪ Experience in different, unconnected jobs
▪ Objective different from experience/career changing
▪ Emphasis is on competencies not used in recent roles
▪ Entering job market after an absence
Types Of Resume Formats
Infographic:
Maybe appropriate for less
traditional employers and those areas including:
▪ Design
▪ Creativity
▪ Marketing
▪ Social Media
Types Of Resume Formats
Source: https://visual.ly/community/infographic/education/paolo-zupin-infographic-resume
Sample Source: JobScan
Hybrid Resume Formats
(also known as Combination)
Using a chronological or functional
resume AND including graphic elements such as:
▪ Personal details icons
▪ Employer logos
▪ Brands you have worked with
▪ Section dividers
KEEP FORMAT
SIMPLE USE
KEYWORDS USE SKILL BASED
ACTION VERBS AVOID JARGON
& CLICHÉS INCLUDE ACHIEVEMENTS
5 Simple Tips
KEEP It SIMPLE
Consistency is Key:
• Max 2-colour scheme
• Use one bullet style
• Consistent font type and size (avoid Times New Roman)
• Align to the left or justify
• Minimize bolding and italics
• Clear section headings
Resume Formatting
Structure Of Resume
Why do I need key words?
▪ Applicant Tracking Systems
▪ Fortune 500 /100
▪ Human sifting criteria
▪ Matching employer key words from JD /Mirroring
▪ Speeds search
How do I use key words?
▪ Mirror organisational and industry language
▪ Repeat the words throughout
▪ Acronyms & in full
▪ Use bullets and build depth
▪ Not less than font size 11
▪ Beware of excessive graphics
KEYWORDSUSE
Key Words
KEYWORDSUSE
Resume Power Words
Action verbs are the
key to making your
accomplishments
sound impactful
What are the most overused words or phrases on resumes?
Dynamic
Self motivated
References available on request
Effective communicator Team player
Seeking a challenging opportunity
Self starter Creative Innovative
Results driven or oriented
AVOID JARGON
Clichés
Examples Of Clichés
and how to rephrase
Experience by Symplicity - 10 Most Overused Resume Phrases By Victoria C
Achievements are how you show you have gone above and beyond your job scope and duties.
They are accomplishments, where you have contributed to your employer and added value!
Everybody has career accomplishments..
INCLUDE ACHIEVEMENTS
Achievements
An action verb animates a sentence, either physically
(swim, jump, drop, whistle)
or mentally
(dream, believe, suppose, love).Verbs make sentences move; sometimes dramatically, sometimes quietly.
▪ Sentence openers to show responsibilities
▪ Sentence openers to evidence achievements
▪ Strong words to show your contribution
▪ A means of bringing variety to resume for impactful reading
USE SKILL BASED ACTION
VERBS
Action Verbs
SAMPLE
What to include:
• Positioning statement
• Industries & functions
• Key skills
• Achievements
• Narrative/bullets/combination
• < 3
rdof a page
• Avoid clichés
Executive Summary
A compelling executive summary near the top of your resume will serve as your sales pitch. In just a few impactful sentences, it should highlight your relevant experience, detail your accomplishments, and provide insight into what you can do for an organization.
Source - JobScan
Profession:
“I am an Information Technology Manager ...”
Expertise:
“… with expertise in developing solutions through reengineering”
Types of organizations:
“… both in large insurance firms and as a consultant ...”
Major/Key strengths:
“I have been particularly successful managing large IT budgets.”
The Positioning Statement
Your positioning statement should be the most powerful content on your resume.
It’s a compelling snapshot of your personal brand. It immediately creates an
impression when scanned by hiring managers, recruiters and decision makers.
What to include:
• Company name (can use logo)
• Period of employment (month/year)
• Job title (Make sure it’s understood!)
• Responsibilities (verb in present tense)
• Achievements (verb in past tense)
• Avoid jargon/clichés
Professional Experience
Responsibilities
Examples:
▪ Oversee the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting activities for the
organization
▪ Established both annual and monthly sales objectives in coordination with the Company's business plan
▪ Develop marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment policy, nature of market, copyright and royalty requirements, and cost and markup factors
Use past tense if experience is no longer in the present
Achievements
How Did You Add Value?
▪ Grew the company by increasing sales?
▪ Saved money for the company?
▪ Streamlined office systems and procedures?
▪ Reached timeline requirements?
▪ Improved relationships with others
(customers, colleagues, management)?
▪ Were you promoted for a reason?
▪ Were you selected for a special project? Why?
Achievements
How To Craft A Statement:
What it is
Expression Substance?or
Final Remnders Highlight
Strengths
Qualify &
Quantify
It is about yourself, achievements and struggles. It emphasizes on underlying aspirations. It is your story!
Content should be structured, well- organized and coherent. Substance is important
Finding and leveraging your workplace strengths. Any ability that is enjoyable, applicable, and that you are better at than most of your colleagues
Quantify through Action Verbs
& PAR (problem, action, results) Qualifying that you have the right skills, qualifications and credentials. Qualifying enhances true abilities
High-quality resume accomplishments are
quantifiable and measurable.
Dollar amounts, timespans,
volume, and percentages are all great ways to quantify your accomplishments on a resume
▪ Achieved 5% Year-on-Year savings through energy conservation and waste reduction efforts
▪ Successfully achieved double digit returns for my clients for 3 consecutive years earning the award for best investment manager of the year.
▪ Achieved zero write offs in inventory for the 7 consecutive years by designing an inventory management process and implementing it across 5 departments.
▪ Improved office efficiency and customer service by introducing new computerized filing system
▪ Coordinated a fund-raising event for 100 attendees and secured donations of USD$50,000
▪ Completed a USD$500K project 4 weeks ahead of schedule and 8% under budget
▪ Reduced inventories by 22% by developing and implementing new sales forecasting system
Achievements
Examples:
▪ 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS
▪ Is a software application that enables the electronic handling of recruitment needs
✓
Allows application viewing
✓
Automatic Rankings based on Resume Scores
✓