Your Resume
There are many perspectives on resume writing, as well as a large number of articles, tools, templates, and resume writers to help. This section won’t provide a detailed how-to on resume writing, but below are some links, basic thoughts, and search recommendations.
Make sure ALL details on your work history are accurate! Some hiring managers will view resumes with incorrect dates as a lack of honesty and transparency. I look for accuracy and honesty in a resume’s work history. If a resume features the year, and not the month and year on a resume, I am suspicious of unexplained gaps in work history transitions. As recruiters, we see resumes with inaccurate dates, over inflated job titles, and more. In agribusiness industries, these can be big no-nos.
If you feel your resume has several short stints, you may want to consider two documents. One can be an overview that goes into detail on the main areas, accomplishments, and job functions of your career. The other can be a work history document that shows the company, job titles, and dates of employment. Just one way to approach short tenures.
Finding Info on Resume Writing: Here’s an interesting article on Inc.com.
Keyword search examples, copy and paste the following phrases into Google or Bing, then create your own:
(how to write a resume)
“resume templates”
“Resume generator”
“Google resume”
Your Peers: Have colleagues, acquaintances, and hiring managers you know review your resume; get their thoughts and insights as well. Friendly editors with a critical eye can help!
Some Thoughts On Structure: A resume trend I don’t find effective is a structure wherein a list, columns, or bullet points on career accomplishments or job functions is placed at the beginning or top of the resume, then lists the jobs and positions underneath. This format does not show the reader the company and position where the candidate performed those functions and accomplishments. Listing character traits and attributes at the top of the resume can be fine. But listing accomplishments or job functions, without associating them to the specific position where they were performed, leaves the reader to guess when and where the candidate actually did those things.
Let’s say I’m reviewing the resume of a Regional Sales Manager for a food company, and the candidate is interested in a sales position I’m working on. Their resume features career highlights such as “Manage five state territory,” or “Successfully develops new business.”
If these attributes are featured in a section at the beginning of the resume - but not under the company and job title where the candidate achieved these -- I would have to guess when and where in this candidate’s career this was done. Was it with the current employer? Or was this done 5 - 10 years ago? Hiring teams look for current or recent experience that matches the job functions and duties of their open positions.
When writing your resume, use quantitative information and succinct detailed examples as much as possible. Of course, we want to keep our resumes within a page or two, so we most likely can’t get too carried away. For example, which of the two descriptions creates a stronger impression with the reader?
“Increased sales to largest retail grocer in Southeast 40% Y-T-Y by selling-through Super Healthy Yummy Snacks during initial product launch.”
OR
“Generated key sales with largest customer during new product launch.”
Regardless of the layout or style of a resume, I look for the following for each job:
-
Company Name, City & State where worked, Dates of Employment (Month/Year to Month/Year)
-
Job Title, Job Functions, Accomplishments, Other Key Facts or Details
Save your resume as a Word Doc or PDF. Most systems used by employers read Word Docs better than PDFs. But PDFs often can’t be edited by recruiters or HR teams. Some additional thoughts on Word Docs or PDF formats:
www.themuse.com Resume a Word Doc or PDF
Professional Resume Writers: Would like to speak with a resume writing pro directly? Contact:
Dawn Rasmussen
CMP, certified resume writer
503-539-3954
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnrasmussen/
Robynn Storey
Storeyline Resumes
724-832-8845
Schedule a Call - https://calendly.com/storeyline01
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynnstorey/