Nope. Not really.
Short answer but here’s the deal. Resumes are a marketing piece. Your personal brand showcase.
When you love see a Nike ad, does it lead with a statement about how the sneakers want to run?
Just like a commercial is designed to make you want to buy what the seller is selling, your resume should be designed to make a hiring manager want to talk to you!
An objective is a needy statement that can be clearly conveyed through the unique presentation of skills and experience that you set forth in your resume.
The first section of your resume should be a well thought out profile, one that brands you and aligns with the type of position you are seeking. If you are looking for that next step in your career, this is the place to put yourself out there as the perfect candidate for that next step role.
As you think about the best way to showcase what you have to offer, think about the functional capabilities that will attract the hiring manager, such as building and leading a team or social media marketing, and then come up with a few quantifiable achievements that represent your expertise in those areas. Create a mini highlight section with bold or keyword headers to really draw attention to those areas.
Don’t think you have accomplishments to share? It can be a little challenging if you aren’t in a field such as sales or operations where everything is goal-/metric-driven, or in a company that doesn’t really measure performance.
Try to put yourself on the other side of the desk – come up with some examples of how you solved a problem for your team, your customers, your boss, or your company. Include details that indicate scope and showcase how you left a department or issue in better shape than you found it.
For inspiration, search through your emails! Another great source is your performance evaluations if you have them.
Resumes are not as cold and boring as they once were. Don’t be afraid to show some personality with color, a quote from a happy customer or a supervisor, or a graphic that visually demonstrates your accomplishments. Just remember to keep it clean and professional. Also keep in mind that any images or text boxes are skipped by ATS so any content here should be repeated elsewhere. One trick I use is to type the text underneath the image so it’s scannable.
Your resume is an investment in your future and often your one shot to make a great impression. If you are struggling or feel like your resume just doesn’t do you justice, it’s probably not! It’s hard to talk about yourself and objectively identify your strengths.
When I work with my clients, I learn about their goals and careers to tell their story in a very clear and professional manner through their career marketing collateral. Think of me as your career ninja – a detective that uncovers and promotes your personal brand!
Let’s get started on your resume today. Email me at [email protected] to learn more.
