Treat Your Resume As a Marketing Tool

I’ve reviewed and edited different types of resumes lately. Short ones, long ones, some are traditional, some are expressive and creative. Even with these differences, they all needed some improvement in order to make them appealing to the recruiters and hiring managers who will be viewing them. Here are some of my notes that you can sift through for writing a powerful resume:

The purpose of a resume is to get an interview, not to land a job. Therefore, it’s extremely important to stand out in a pile of resumes with a positive first impression, which can be achieved from two perspectives, appearance and content.

Appearance involves use of consistent formatting, correct spelling, proper grammar and punctuation, and well-structured sentences. Multiple font types and sizes, spelling mistakes, grammatical or punctuation errors guarantee a deleted resume. To avoid this, have a friend or a colleague take a look at your resume before sending it out.

Content involves strategic thinking, undiluted focus and logical direction. A well-written resume should communicate mastery of relevant skills, industry-specific knowledge and experience in a succinct, coherent and logical way. Capture a recruiter or hiring manager’s interest by making it easier for them to read your resume.

Last but not least, develop your personal brand that describes your personal brand and why an employer should hire you. List at least three highlights at the top of your resume and show how you fit the specific position. Avoid overuse of weak words (i.e. managed, assisted, responsible for, etc.) and lack of substantive content (i.e. exceptional ability, superior service, etc.)

If you’re challenged to figure out how you should put yourself out there, you can follow my 5-step guide to writing a powerful resume.