CREATE A ROCK STAR RESUME

CREATE A ROCK STAR RESUME

The biggest mistake career changers make is thinking that their homemade resume is good enough. Think again! When it comes to your resume, looks are everything. Studies show that hiring managers need only 15-20 seconds to determine whether or not your resume gets the thumbs up, or tossed in the trash.

Your resume has only one shot at making a great first impression, so when you’re trying to make a career move you need to be armed with the best! A great resume can not only help you transition into your new career faster, but it can also help you get a higher starting salary.

The biggest mistake career changers make is thinking that their homemade resume is good enough. Think again! When it comes to your resume, looks are everything. Studies show that hiring managers need only 15-20 seconds to determine whether or not your resume gets the thumbs up, or tossed in the trash.

The key to standing out from a crowded job market is to NOT to focus on responsibilities, but instead showcase your results, successes and the value that you’ve brought to organizations. Below are three resume tips to make you look like a rock star, stand out from the competition, and even get a higher starting salary…

Feature key words. Key words are those skills listed as the job requirements in the job postings. Key words are different for every job so you need to look closely at the job description. Create a section towards the top of your resume called, “Key Strengths”, and feature all of those requirements listed in the job description that you meet.
Show results. This is the single biggest difference in making your resume stand out from hundreds of other job applicants. (I do this myself, and I know this is why I get the interviews!)

Underneath your Key Strengths section, list 4-5 career highlights that are results focused. Quantify each of your career highlights in terms of dollars, percentages, or numbers. For example, let's say that you're in sales and you've brought in an average of 10 new clients per month. That's 120 clients a year, and if you've been doing that for the past 3 years, that's 360 new clients! So one of your career highlights could be, Gained approximately 360 new clients which generated $360,000 in new revenue in three years.

Also, try to quantify each of your accomplishments for every job that you list in your Experience section.
Highlight leadership and teamwork. Hiring managers look for candidates who are strong leaders, AND strong team contributors. Highlight your leadership skills - and the results of the projects and teams that you've led.

If you're a little light in this area, then highlight any leadership experience you may have had in professional organizations, a sports league, in church, or any other extra-curricular activities. Also, list projects in which you were a strong team member in terms of what your role was, and what the team accomplished.

If you'd like more tips to advance your career, visit our website for career tools, resources, and coaching support at: www.CareerCoaching360.com

Sherri Thomas is President of Career Coaching 360, an international speaker, and author of "Career Smart - 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand." Career Coaching 360 (www.CareerCoaching360.com) provides career planning, management coaching, and leadership development support to help professionals change careers quickly and easily.