ExtremeResume

MakeoverCareer Confidentialwith Peggy McKee

The Job Search is a Sales Process

The Product = You

The Buyer = The Employer

Purchase = Pay a Salary for Work

The Product

Benefits

Difference

Potential Buyer

Elevator Speech

The Job Search is a Sales Process

The Product = You

The Buyer = The Employer

Purchase = Pay a Salary for Work

Marketing Brochure = Resume

Your Resume

•Don’t need a resume writer

• You know yourself

•Will get you the interview

Resume Writing

• Let’s build your resume, section by section

•What your resume should look like

•What to watch out for

• Unique issues for minority candidates

– Gather your template, notepaper, and pen

Personal Information

•Name – that’s an easy one

•Address – full address

•Phone Numbers – easiest one to reach you

•Email Address – permanent / personal

•Open to relocation

Knockout Factors

• Things that knock you out of the running• Varies by recruiter, employer• Phone message• Spelling and grammar• Phone conversation• Interview

Every impression counts!

Don’t Let Your RecruiterLose Track of You!

Without a permanent email address, youcould miss out on a great opportunity.

Resume Objective“What is this product used for?”

•What job do you want?

•What size/type of company doyou want to work for?

Keep it short, sweet, and focused!

Sample Resume Objectives

“I seek a management position that utilizes my expertisein human relations, project management, and staff

recruitment and retention.”

“Wishing to secure a medical sales position within agrowing healthcare organization."

"To secure a search engine optimization position where Ican use my SEO skills and experience to increase site

traffic and search engine placement.”

Sample Resume Objectives

"Wishing to secure a position as a software programdesigner in a challenging environment that utilizes

team-work effort for researching, learning anddeveloping new high-tech products.”

"Seeking to obtain an aerospace manufacturingmanagement position within the Seattle,

Washington area."

Resume Objectives

• Tailor your objective to the job• Personal branding statement?

– Objectives can help you transition– Objectives are great places for keywords– Objectives are “cover letter insurance”

Employment History

Work ExperienceProfessional Experience

EmploymentWork History

• Bullet points not paragraphs• Reverse chronological order is the way to go• NO functional or topical resumes!

Employment HistoryReverse Chronological Order

Employer Name Dates of EmploymentJob TitleWork Duties/Job Description

– Accomplishment– Accomplishment

Employment History

Use action words for your resume:

ManagedRecruited Sold

Controlled

CoordinatedFacilitated

Created

“Drove sales of diabetic wound care products intonurse practitioner facilities.”

“Sold fast printing copiers to B2B customers identifiedsolely through cold calling and zip codes.”

“Managed a technical team of six to supportnetworking and database needs for a 500 personeducational supply business.”

“Maintained inventory of financial records for a mid-sized construction company.”

Employment HistoryBullet Points

• Can you make money for thecompany?

• Can you save money for thecompany?

• Can you save time for the company?

(time = money!)

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Any way you contributed to revenue, growth, orprofit for the company.

RevenueRankingsDirect ReportsProductionAccuracy

BudgetProjectsScheduleTurnover RateProcedures

Quantify Your Accomplishments

• Help make them relative tosome other piece

• Special merit increase or promotion

• Brag about yourself / your calling card

How to QuantifyWrite done major tasks

Think about specifics to quantify

Rank in order of importance

Employment History Issues• Same employer?

– Laid off?– Job hopping?• List reason laid-off• Laid-off with lots of others?

• Add explanations if needed• No hard and fast rules

How Far Back Should You Go?

• Recent College Grad:– Include college/high school employment

• 5- year Workforce Veteran:– Only post-college– Exception—significant college job

Education

• Most recent degree first

• Type of degree

• Major and date

• GPA – only if recent graduate, only above 3.0

• Professional Development Courses

• Certificate Programs

Keywords• Resume Search Optimization (RSO)• Skills and accomplishments that matter• Buzzwords, terminology and jargon• Industry-specific terminology• Read job openings• Search words• Data-base search• By company• Product names• By customer

Who You Are and Who YouWant to Be

• You the right keywords• Vary by industry and job• Buzzwords, software, backgrounds, degrees• Look at job posting

Keywords

Looking for a new job in the same field?

Search job postings

Corporate websites

Recruiters

Transitioning to a brand new career area?

Creative thinking

Transferable skills

Job Shadowing• Anyone transitioning into a new industry

• Great material for

– Interview– 30/60/90 day plan

– Experience on resume

• Elevate you has a candidate

– Initiative, enthusiasm and drive

• Education

Professional Accomplishments

• Publications• Research• Presentations• Lectures• Courses• Seminars• Relevant Dates• Hobbies?

Potential Knockout from HobbyIn my spare time, I am physically active. I run, mountain bike,play tennis, and I teach yoga on weekends. Physical activitykeeps my body and mind in shape, and promotes balance andclarity in my life. I belong to a community theater and amactive in productions, and I play bass in a band. I am an avidreader. I am a mother of two and gave birth to mysecond daughter between degrees; taking only 3 months offand continuing to work while taking classes, which shows mydrive and tenacity to succeed!

What job skills are identified with this description?

Professional Organizations

Great place for keywords!Acronym, full name, description

Everything should contribute to themessage that you’re a fantastic candidate!

Community Service

Formal Service OrganizationVolunteer WorkSocial Organizations

Great place to develop job skillsGreat source for keywords

References

“References available upon request”is unnecessary.

Never list references on your resume!

Resume Length

Out of college less than 5 years:1 page resume

In the workforce 5-20 years:1-2 pages

Resume more than 2 pages?Only if you’re the CEO

Where to Cut the Fluff

Job HistoryEdit job info (not the job!) that doesn’tcontribute to your message

Resume ObjectiveDon’t use generic “hard worker” wordingObjective should be powerful, job-specific,and short

The Look of Your Resume

•Must be easy to read•Bullet points are your friend•White space, too•No “creative” colors, fonts, designs•Focus on the message, not the deliverysystem

Simple = Safe

Simple design ensures it uploads/transfers correctly

ALWAYS send “test” copiesto buddies

Play It Safe—send your resume as a Word docfrom a PC

Knockout factors

Mac users

Resume Critique

Get a fresh perspective

Ask your friend:“What three things would you change if itwere yours?”

From a professional

Equal Opportunity Issues

• Use every “unfair” advantage you can—no matter who you are• Don’t cheat—just take advantage of

footholds• Subtle signals—associations, etc.• “Are you looking for an energetic female

sales executive?”

Your Resume is Critical

Your resume deservesyour time and best effort!

Good luck!

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