Looking for the last article you’ll need to learn how to write a resume? Well, look no further.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover the strategies and methods behind taking your template and transforming it into a job-winning resume!
First,
Let me ask the Golden Question!
If you came across your dream job, would your resume be good enough to get you an interview?
If you hesitated for a moment there, the answer is no.
Sorry. Tough, but true. If you send a mediocre resume — even a “good” resume — off, you’ll never hear a ring from anyone.
Today I will show you how top job candidates get their world-class resumes to stand out to hiring managers. (Hint: It’s not about their job experience.)
Resume Mistakes That 96% Of People Make
Obsessing over the dumb stuff when you write a resume like paper size, colour and font.
People always obsess over this stuff.
Why?
Because it’s simple.
Most people prefer quick-and-easy tips that don’t work over more challenging changes that do.
You can adjust the formatting on your resume, switch from a serif to a sans-serif font, and add some colour.
It may make you feel like you accomplished anything, but it won’t impress the hiring manager.
But if you want to impress the hiring manager and make them excited to call you.
Get in Hiring Manager Shoes First Before Writing Resume
Imagine you’re a hiring manager. You put out a job description for a Project Manager and get 250+ resumes in 48 hours. What do you do?
You run through those resumes as fast as you can. That’s why hiring managers give a resume, on average, less than 10 seconds of attention before moving on to the next one.
This is why it’s so critical to understand how to stand out.
Let’s look at how to do that when you write a resume.
"We give a resume, on average, less than 10 seconds of attention." – every HIRING MANAGER
Choose your narrative, not the facts
Your resume should not be a list of facts. That’s not memorable enough to catch the hiring manager’s attention in 10 seconds.
Instead, when you write a resume, craft a narrative.
Ask yourself, “After someone reads my resume for 10 seconds, what is the one thing they should remember about me?”
If you just list your education and job history, what will they remember?
But if you call out key courses you studied or professional accomplishments, you’re getting closer to being memorable.
“Oh, that’s the candidate who created AI chatbot in the finance industry.”
You need a narrative that can summarise who you are in 1 or 2 sentences.
If I had to refer you to a hiring manager what would I tell them about you in 10 seconds that will get them interested in you get on a call with you
This is the framework to pick your narrative.
"I am ___ who can help you ___." – Narrative framework
Here is my narrative which got me into companies like Google & American Express
"I am a Sales and operational leader who can help you increase your revenue and conversions with deep experimental knowledge in marketing"
so pick your narrative and let's move to the next step.
Trim the Fat, keep the meat
Along with a good narrative, the second most important part of crafting an interview magnet resume is cutting the fat.
When you write a resume, every word must earn its place on the page.
If it’s not adding to and improving your narrative, cut it.
If it is, ask if there is another word or phrase that would do a better job.
As Founder of BCP, I’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes of my clients and I can tell with experience
Most of the resumes had 90% irrelevant details which were not supporting their narrative.
All these bloated resumes were filled with fluff for the sake of filling empty space on resumes.
STOP THAT!!!
Don’t do this. Make every word count.
It’s better to have a shorter and more meaningful resume than a long one filled with garbage.
I will give you an example
Narrative: I am a data guy with the ability to tell stories from Raw DATA Bullet point: I am a team player.
Do you think that bullet point supports his narrative?
Write Bullet Points that sell.
Most resumes lack Quantitative results.
Bad Example :
Assisted Account Executives in creating advertising materials according to established process.
As an employer, that tells me absolutely nothing about what to expect if I hire this person.
They assisted in creating advertising materials. Did it work? How did they measure it? What was the ROI?
See what I'm getting at here?
These types of bullets talk about daily activities, but companies don't care about what you do every day.
They care about results. By including measurable metrics and achievements in your resume, you're showcasing the value that the employer can expect to get if they hire you.
Good Example :
“Crafter media kits with interactive audio and video elements that lead to over $500,000 in new advertising from industry leaders such as Johnson & Jonson Lubricants.”
If you were in the hiring manager's shoes, which resume would you choose?
That's the power of including quantitative results.
Note: Just because you don't work in sales, marketing, or a “numbers-driven” field, doesn't mean that you can't add measurable metrics to your resume.
You can write on following things too.
How long did it take you to achieve something? Was that faster than usual or ahead of the timeline? If so, by how much?
Were you able to save your budget? Save people time? Improve outcomes?
How did your results compare to the past? Did you do things faster? Better? Can you quantify and compare that to previous work?
Every single person at a company has a role there because they impact the bottom line, either directly or indirectly.
If you don't feel like you have a direct impact, go find the people who leverage your work who do!
FAQs about Resumes
What should I avoid in my resume?
Avoid using cliches or buzzwords, such as “team player” or “self-starter.” Also, avoid including irrelevant or outdated information, such as your high school GPA or a list of hobbies. Finally, make sure to proofread your resume carefully for spelling and grammar errors.
Should I tailor my resume for each job I apply for?
Yes, it’s a good idea to tailor your resume for each job you apply for. This means adjusting your resume to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Want a perfect resume template for your resume?
Have a look at some of the recommended free templates for resumes.
Want to land your dream job that pays you more, makes you excited to go to work or has a work-life but doesn't have relevant experience or getting rejected online?
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