It’s been said before – your resume has just seconds to get past that initial skim read and into the keep pile for a deeper read. Not getting a call back? It could be because your resume doesn’t answer these three questions.
#1 What Role Do You Seek?
Including a career title at the top of the resume just below your contact information shows the reader the roles for which you are well suited. Not sure what to put? Let the job posting serve as your guide.
I recommend customizing career titles to direct the reader further. Here’s your opportunity to show if you are industry agnostic (IT Manager), sticking to a niche (Financial Services IT Manager) or perhaps are very experienced (Senior IT Manager).
#2 How Are You a Good Fit?
A strong branding paragraph below the career title shows the reader you are ideally suited for the role at hand. To ensure the paragraph is not generic and could apply to anyone, weave in applicable phrasing and language from the job posting with information about your unique skills, traits and achievements.
#3 What Have You Done?
Here’s where your results and achievements come in. Rather than a laundry list of every responsibility that comes with your job, show the reader what you’ve accomplished.
Having trouble quantifying your achievements? Ask yourself:
☑ Did I save money?
☑ Did I save time?
☑ Did I contribute to the company’s bottom line?
☑ Are people happier because of me and by how much?
Answers to these questions will ensure the reader walks away with a strong idea of your performance rather than an understanding of your job description.