How To Create a Stand Out Resume

How to Create a Stand Out ResumeNicole Steen

| www.resumebynico.com | March 25, 2015

Agenda

Introduction

Purpose of a resume

Bad resume

Basics of a modern resume

How to STAND OUT

How to word your OB-related experience

Other topics: functional resume, CV à resume, cover letter

Introduction

Print design+

HR

What do they want

to see?

Reviewed 500+

resumes

Modern resume research

One for me, many for friends

150+ resumes

Purpose of Resume

Not to get it thrown in the trash bin

Get you an interview

Market yourself

Purpose of Resume

6 second rule

Name

Current job title

Previous job title

Education

Skills

Start/end dates

Bad resume

Objective

Full sentences

Inconsistent tense

Hobbies

Listing responsibilities

Bad formatting

IRRELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Basics of a modern resume

Include URLs – LinkedIn, a published paper, etc.

Doesn’t have to be Times New Roman; Calibri  Light  is my go-to

Professional headline instead of Objective

Use words specific to the job to which you are applying

More than 1 page

List achievements rather than responsibilities

RELEVANT INFORMATION ONLY

What skills and experience would YOU look for to build a strong team,

expand the company, etc.?

Utilize your OD skills

How to STAND OUT

Professional headline

Summary of skills

Descriptive job titles

Simplify

Use powerful verbs

Show accomplishments with numbers

Add testimonial or visual, when appropriate

Professional headline

Summary of skills

Summary of skills

Descriptive job titles

Simplify

"Is this information absolutely imperative to include, from the

employer's perspective?"

Irrelevant Redundant Extra wordsXX X

Utilize white space

Improves legibility

TEXT BOXES ARE YOUR FRIEND

Use powerful verbs

Advanced

Collaborated

Designed

Developed

Enhanced

Exceeded

Implemented

Generated

Facilitated

Refined

Simplified

Streamlined

Troubleshot

Trained

Show accomplishments with numbers

Add visuals, when appropriate

Add visuals, when appropriate

!p:  add  tes!monial  

Add testimonials, when appropriate

Reminders

Always include start and end dates

Read job description thoroughly – BORROW THEIR WORDS!

Create a different version resume for each position

Save and send as PDF

PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD

Reminders

How to word OB-related experience

Performed organizational gap analysis to examine the fit/misalignment between internal organizational processes and external market environment

Increased effectiveness of HR department by providing data-driven solutions for reducing role conflict and ambiguity

Led team of six to design a formative evaluation plan of new leadership program for purpose of program improvement and identifying metrics to measure success

Trained employees on strategies to build general competencies and psychological resources such as motivation, optimism, confidence, and resilience when engaging in cross-cultural interactions

How to word OB-related experience

Facilitated group planning meetings and delegated responsibilities to team members according to individual strengths

Assisted in provision of recommendations for issues of burnout faced by employees by means of designing systems to increase employee engagement

Assigned responsibilities to team members according to individual strengths in order to increase team effectiveness and efficiency

Functional Resume

Converting CV to resume format

Cover letter

Setting the stage

Related experience with specific examples (1-2 paragraphs)

Cover letter

What makes you stand out

Professional goal + call to action

Key Takeaways

Purpose of resume – don’t get it thrown in trash bin

Modern resume “rules”

Relevant information only

Use keywords from job description

DIFFERENT RESUME FOR EACH POSITION

Thank you!

Questions?

www.resumebynico.comwww.facebook.com/resumebynico

resume@resumebynico.com