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Big Interview Resume 2023-11-01 - Coggle Diagram
Big Interview
Resume
2023-11-01
Structure Format
Format
General
Drop the "I", "me", "my": Led team to...
Use active voice
Focused and concise
Prioritize the top of page one with your best and most compelling information, e.g., summary statement.
1-2 pages
(Standard American)
2 pages: more experience
1 page: student / new graduate
Layout
Professionalism
Using a modern, easy-to-read font
Calibri
Garamond
Arial
10-12 pt
Headings bigger (e.g., 14 pt). Can use bold or italics.
Name should stand out.
Efficiency
Formatting techniques
Subheadings
Professional summary
Education
Work history
Awards, publishing, etc.
White space
In between short paragraphs.
Bullet points
Structure
Chronological vs functional
Chronological
Most popular format.
Easier to scan.
Summary statement
To put more emphasis on accomplishments without going full functional format.
Work history in reverse chronological order.
Functional
Skills and professional accomplishments are listed outside of the context of specific positions.
Often with a brief work history section at the end.
Recommended for people:
Who are making a career change.
Who have resume gaps.
With an unorthodox job history.
Not very recommended.
Summary statement
Summary of skills and experience.
Key selling points.
Depending on situation, it includes:
Technical skills
Publications
Industry expertise
Accomplishments
Not an objective statement, which are generally outdated.
2-3. Work history and Education
Work history first for those who have been working a couple of years.
Work experience
Start each job description with the most impressive and relevant information.
Persuasive Writing
Keep it focused and concise
Experience
Concise description and 4-5 bullet points max.
Fewer for older or not very relevant positions.
Focus on benefits (for the recruitment company)
Examples
Summary statement
"I am seeking a position to leverage my 12 years of sales experience where I can develop my skills further, as well as learn new industries and practices."
To: "Creative thinker with 12-year track record successfully mitigating risks while reducing costs, improving operational processes and increasing profitability."
Job descriptions
"Manage budgets in excess of $50 million for multiple networks."
To: "Oversaw all aspects of $50M budgets including delivery of monthly reconciliations, expense forecasts and analyses for varying networks according to GAAP finance standards."
Credibility indicators
Facts that reinforce trustworthiness and believability
Accomplishments
Facts
Numbers
Authority
Positive validation from someone in authority
E.g., Selected by CEO to manage project.
Promotions
Company descriptions
Writing for Robots
Most big companies use a resume screening software or ATS, Applicant Tracking System
Keywords in
Education
Experience
Skills
Competencies
Summary statement is a great place to include keywords. Job descriptions too.
Customize resume for each position
Summary Statements
Also called professional profile, professional summary.
It's a written elevator pitch.
It should essentially answer the question "Tell me about yourself" in just a few lines of text.
Critical for candidates
A recent college graduate
Changing careers
Coming from a diverse background
Most relevant and impressive skills and career accomplishments.
Structure and format
Title
Few lines (or bullet points)
3-4 lines
Examples
Bad
"Team player with proven ability to collaborate with all manner of individuals. Focused, motivated, and self-directed professional who seeks to add value to overall business objectives and develop leadership skills."
Good
"Versatile and creative writer combines background in journalism and academics with expertise in business writing to deliver quality, customized material spanning news, marketing, web content, curriculum, and career development. Provides sales support and highly-rated client service and excels in meeting deadlines in quick-turnaround settings."
"Proven leader of US and international sales organizations offers expertise in developing successful growth strategies. Effectively manages P&L on multimillion-dollar, multi-product lines of business. Known for creating dynamic marketing/brand strategies that engage consumers and deliver results."
How to write it
3-4 things that defines you as a professional, e.g.:
Strong sales record
Expertise in drawing engineering plans
Manager and executives should focus on business skills
Entry-level an recent graduates: academic training, and experience
Career changers
Highlight both career objectives and transferable skills in the summary statement.
A few times when an objective statement is useful
E.g., "Proven project leader seeks to make the transition from the government sector to management consulting. Successful track record managing complex research engagements and managing relationships with government, academic, and corporate stakeholders. Ability to interpret complex findings and explain them to a variety of audiences. Experience managing teams and owning projects from end to end."
Incorporate keywords